Former IBF lightweight champion Leavander Johnson has passed away from injuries sustained in a brutal title defense against Jesus Chavez last Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. A spokesperson at University Medical Center in Las Vegas told Fightnews.com that Johnson had passed away at 4:23PM. Johnson had shown great improvement after undergoing brain surgery almost immediately after the fight and was being kept in a medically induced coma by doctors. The Fightnews family sends our heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the Johnson family after this terrible tragedy.
I know not many of you know who Johnson is. He was this journeyman boxer who finally realized his championship dreams by upsetting Italian Stefano Zoff for the IBF Lightweight Title 3 months ago. Previous to that Johnson had challenged for a world title 3 times coming up short. I was watching the fight live and I was hoping they would have stopped way earlier. His father (who was working his corner) or the ref or the ringside doctor shouldnt have allowed him to take such a beating.
RIP Johnson.
I know not many of you know who Johnson is. He was this journeyman boxer who finally realized his championship dreams by upsetting Italian Stefano Zoff for the IBF Lightweight Title 3 months ago. Previous to that Johnson had challenged for a world title 3 times coming up short. I was watching the fight live and I was hoping they would have stopped way earlier. His father (who was working his corner) or the ref or the ringside doctor shouldnt have allowed him to take such a beating.
RIP Johnson.
