Interview with Tureano Johnson

By ESPABOX

One of the protagonists of the week is the Bahamian Tureano Johnson (21-2-1), chosen to face Jaime Munguía in his next fight in October.

After a decade of career, this is his best chance to get closer to a world title, as a victory against formidable Munguía would place him on a world title launch pad. He has received ESPABOX to talk about his career, his boxing and the great challenge that awaits him.

ESPABOX: Hello, Tureano. It`s a pleassure to talk with you. How are things there, especially health?

TUREANO JOHNSON: Hello, nice to meet you, we are doing well in every way, I train well and eat well. Regarding health, we are very careful about the virus, the main objective is that the scheduled combat can develop without problems.

E: First, we would like to know your history with boxing, how were your beginnings in this sport.

TJ: First, I’d like to thank God for putting me where I am. I started boxing when I was a kid, eight or nine years old. Ray Minus, the Bahamian Commonwealth Champion, who also fought for the World title against “Happy” Lora, said something about getting started in boxing to my brother and sister, and I got a bit hooked. Subsequently  I have been the only one who has continued at it, which  is curious.

E: Tell us about your amateur career. We assume that Beijing 2008 was your best moment, being an Olympic quarterfinalist. What do you tell us about this period of your life?

TJ: I am proud to have represented the Bahamas in many competitions. I was at the Commonwealth Games 2003, where I was a silver medalist. Then, in the 2004 pre-Olympic in Tijuana I was a bronze medalist, but only the first two went to the Olympics. I stayed another four years in amateur boxing, and, as you say, I qualified in 2008 for Beijing; I won the first two fights, but then I lost to the Chinese representative.

E: Coincidences of life, amateur boxing and losing to the local boxer.

TJ: (Laughs) Amateur boxing… It’s a complicated situation. I don’t want to talk too much about it, but I wouldn’t want to go through it again. I think that scoring system was unfair. But hey, I’m happy to have been to the Olympics, although I don’t deny that, with a medal, my life would have been better.

E: And in 2010 you become a professional. Why are you telling me about questionable scores?

TJ: Really, it wasn’t about money. As you know, I am from the Bahamas, it is not an impoverished country, that was not the problem. But I didn’t like the way amateur boxing was managed, the treatment of boxers … All of that needed a change. Now it is during restructuring professional boxing, but it is a little late for me. I also believe, between you and me, that my boxing is better oriented towards professionalism, now that I have perspective on all of it. So I decided to go pro, and now I’m a Golden Boy boxer.

E: Good time to ask yourself what your boxing style is like.

TJ: I like to do exciting fights, and move, professional boxing. In amateur it is more touching than hitting, and I am more about hitting than simply scoring.

E: As a professional, you start no less than 14-0. And Curtis Stevens arrives. You were up on the cards and, in the last round, a left damages you and the fight is over. What happened from within and how many times have you remembered that moment?

TJ: That’s something I can never forget. Curtis Stevens is a good boxer, very strong, but Tureano is better, Tureano is an animal in the ring. The problem was that in the ring you never really know if you are winning, or not … Then my teacher (coach) told me: “Tureano, you are going down and you need a knockout.” Oh my mother! I’m sorry, but at that time my teacher didn’t help me much.

E: After this setback, six wins in a row come and your career is back on track by defeating good fighters, such as the previously unbeaten Mike Gavronski, Alex Theran or Eamonn O’Kane. Are they your best times as an athlete?

TJ: Yes, sure, they were very good years of boxing. But now I’m better: Tureano is stronger and faster, Tureano has more experience, more intelligence. I am more dangerous in the ring than I have ever been.

E: Your last match against undefeated Jason Quigley was incredible. Many called you a victim, but you demolished him and showed an impressive physical condition. Has it been a new boost for you and your career?

TJ: I had been watching Quigley for a long time before our fight, just like now I have Munguía’s as a goal and it has been achieved. On whether this kind of wins improves my career, it’s not something I think about beforehand. I see it as an opportunity to show that these fighters are very good, but I think I can defeat them. And not just on the cards or by KO, but with perfect boxing. And that will happen on October 30, a stronger, faster and more intelligent Tureano will be seen, I will give a boxing class to Munguía and I will put him to sleep.

E: How is the training process for the fight?

TJ: The camp is in progress, but I can’t tell you anything, there are many secrets to keep (tone of mystery and laughter). Yes, I tell you that we are at full capacity, training wonderfully for what will surely be a great triumph.

E: No restrictions on the pandemic? Is it like any other?

TJ: It is not a problem, we are taking all possible precautions. They are very serious dates in my life, I have a fight against Jaime Munguía, and there is no event for me better to show the world my skills. For this reason, no one doubts that I am taking care: a lot of hand hygiene, wearing a mask, not exposing myself to infections … I don’t want to risk losing this opportunity, so I must be sure to stay healthy.

E: Can you tell us something about the non-boxing Tureano Johnson? What is it like outside the ring?

TJ: Tureano is a normal boy, who loves his family, who loves his country, the Bahamas, and the entire Caribbean area: Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, etc. And I love people, no matter the country. But above all, I love Christ; I am of the Christian religion, and you can have yours, that I will respect you and do not force you to share mine. I respect everyone, Tureano is a good boy, but outside the ring. Up there, I’m not even afraid of the devil, I would fight him too.

E: Finally, we ask you about Spain. In addition to speaking a Spanish that we love because of the accent and the joy that shows, what do you know about our country and its boxing?

TJ: I trained and lived in Cuba during my amateur years, and I paid attention to Spanish fighters, because in amateur boxing they always had great athletes. They have always had a very strong national team. Also, I have many friends who are in Spain, and I have an invitation to visit Spain from one of them, I want to go there soon.

E: We wish you the best for the next fight and your future.

TJ: Thank you so much.

Interview by Darío Pérez (@ ringsider2020) appeared at https://www.espabox.com/tureano-johnson-en-espabox-dare-una-clase-de-boxeo-a-munguia-y-le-pondre-a- sleep/