Johnson loses battle,
after getting injured in ring
September 22, 2005
(SEPT 22) Today, Leavander Johnson passed
away after suffering a head injury when he fought Jesus Chavez on
September 17th, at the MGM Hotel, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“All of my prayers are with Leavander Johnson and his family in this
difficult time,” said Chavez. “He was a true warrior with a tremendous
heart, and every day I will think of him and say a prayer for him. He
will never be forgotten.”
“Leavander Johnson epitomized what all boxers should want to be, a
courageous and skilled boxer who always gave his best every time he
stepped through the ropes,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar
De La Hoya. “His loss is a tremendous blow to the boxing community and
to me personally. He was a class act and a good man. Leavander will be
missed.”
Chavez, who visited Johnson in the hospital before his passing, plans to
honor him, not only with words, but actions.
“The best way I can do justice to the title Leavander and I both proudly
held is to defend it well and to be a true champion in and out of the
ring, like he was,” said Chavez, who vows to donate a portion of each
purse he makes as long as he is the IBF lightweight champion of the
world to a fund being set up for Leavander’s children.
Adds Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, “We, and all of the
promoters, together with the state athletic commissions, need to work
together to see if there's anything we can do to help prevent tragedies
such as this. If there are additional tests or improvements in
technology that could be used to foresee these types of injuries, then
we have a responsibility to the fighters and their families to use them,
because in the end, saving lives is more important than anything else.
News Update:
EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ (June 2, 2011) – The long awaited statue of the late
IBF World Boxing Champion Leavander Johnson, created by world renowned
sculptor and New Jersey native, Brian Hanlon, is now complete and will
be unveiled during a ceremony at “Center City Park” in Atlantic City on
June 4, 2011. The Park is located on Atlantic Avenue between North
Carolina and South Carolina Avenues. The ceremony will begin promptly at
11:00 AM.
The unveiling ceremony is open to the media and general public.
Residents of Atlantic City and surrounding communities are encouraged to
attend this momentous occasion. You will witness history in the making
when the bronze image of an Atlantic City native son and Hero, is
immortalized forever in the heart of his hometown where he will be an
inspiration and a constant reminder that “You too can achieve your
dream”. Come enjoy the festivities and find out about the Leavander
Johnson Foundation. We are “Fighting to Make a Difference”.
About Leavander Johnson
Leavander Johnson (12/24/1969 – 9/22/2005) compiled a career record of
34-5-2 with 26 wins by way of knockout. Johnson was born and raised in
Atlantic City and trained throughout his childhood and boxing career at
the Atlantic City PAL under the watchful eye of his father, who
continues to instruct the youths of today. Johnson first became champion
by winning the IBO Lightweight title in 1995. After three previous
attempts failed, Johnson finally captured the vacant IBF Lightweight
title on June 17, 2005 with a 7th round TKO over Stefano Zoff in Milan,
Italy. Three months later, on September 17, 2005 in Las Vegas, Johnson
unsuccessfully defended his title against Jesus Chavez when the fight
was stopped in the 11th round. Johnson later collapsed in the locker
room and was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery to correct a
subdural hematoma. Tragically, his condition did not improve and he
passed away September 22, 2005 with his family by his side.
About Hanlon Sculpture Studio
Brian Hanlon is a classically trained master sculptor and founder of
Hanlon Sculpture Studio, located in Toms River, NJ. In business since
1991, Brian has sculpted over 200 public art pieces, specializing in
bronze statues, and is the Official Sculptor for the Naismith Memorial
Basketball Hall of Fame. His recent completions include a statue of Bob
Cousy at Holy Cross, Zan’s Garden of Life at Jersey Shore University
Medical Center, a WWII Memorial in Manchester, NJ, and ten life-size
figures for St. Mary’s Church in Buffalo, NY. Current projects include
Shaquille O’Neal for LSU, Larry Holmes for Easton, PA, Yogi Berra for
the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center, and Dominique Wilkins for
Atlanta.
About The Leavander Johnson Foundation
The Leavander Johnson Foundation is non profit 501(c)3 community based
empowerment organization. The mission of the Leavander Johnson
Foundation is to enable communities to improve the quality and
circumstances of life for present and future generations. In meeting
these challenges, the Foundation employs flexible approaches and
innovative strategies that are responsive to changing needs and new
opportunities. The goal is to stimulate long-lasting and sustainable
progress in which contributes to community vitality and economic growth.
