Amos Johnson 'How I Beat Cassius Clay'

Amos Johnson,

The United States Marine from Stockton, California 'southpaw' Light-Heavyweight.

Discussing his amateur victory over Cassius Clay.

During sparring sessions in Madison, Wisconsin (May 1959), I noticed how he
would pull straight back with his hands down.

You could get away with that with most fighters, because they didn't move quickly.

But I was as quick as Cassius, so when he pulled back, I quickly stepped
forward and threw the straight left like an arrow, right on his 'kisser'.

If you tried to throw a hook from that far away, he would have time to
avoid it, and come back with a quick counter. But, the straight left from
my southpaw stance, he couldn't avoid it.

When we met in the 'Trials Box-Off', I baited him in the 1st-Round, and let him
get away with that move.

But in the 2nd-Round, the first time he tried it, I made him eat my left hand, and
I bloodied his lip. He tried it a few more times, and each time I drove my left
hand further and further into his face.

By the end of Round 2, his lower lip looked like a Red Chili Pepper.

In Round 3, he was completely confused on how to avoid my left hand. So
he just ran, and flicked out a few 'no-nothing' jabs, which I easily countered
with my right hooks.

At the end of the 3-Round Final, his coach walked over to me and congratulated me,
and said that I was the best fighter at the Trials.

 

'Atom' Amos Johnson,

A 6' 1" southpaw Light-Heavyweight boxing out of Stockton, California.

By the spring of 1959, 20 year-old Amos Johnson was the #1 United States Amateur Light-Heavyweight,
by compiling a record of 53-2 (22 KO's).

Also included, were several California Golden Gloves Championship wins.

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Atom Amos, 'slapped' Cassius Clay around in Madison, Wisconsin in
the 'finals' of the Pan Am Games trials on April 30, 1959.

Amos Johnson went on to win the Pan Am Games 'Gold Medal' at
Light-Heavyweight.

Cassius Clay went 'wee wee' all the way home.

 

Both Amos Johnson (Stockton, California) and Billy Joiner (Cincinnatii, Ohio)
were the 'Top 2' Amateur Light-Heavyweigts in 1959.

Both competed in the Light-Heavyweight Divsion, and both had 'scored'
amateur wins over Kentucky Light-Heavyweight - Cassius Clay.

'Atom Amos' was voted as the 'Best Boxer' at the 1959 Pan Am Games 'trials'
on May 1, 1959 in Madison, Wisconsin.

'Atom Amos' was the United States representative at (81 Kg) Light-Heavyweight
for the 1959 Pan Am Games, held in Chicago at Soldier Field, and held between
August 27 and September 7.

'Atom Amos' Johnson defeated;
* Jose Piedro Liete (Brazil)
* Carlos Lucas (Chile)
* Rafael Gargiulo (Argentina)


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Following the 'Gold Medal' win at the 1959 Pan Am Games, 'Atom Amos'
was certified as the #1 Amateur Light-Heavyweight in the United States.

The 20 year-old Stockton, Californian, was expected to be the U.S. representative at the
1960 Olympics, but circumstances in Amos Johnson's life changed.

In a need for money, the 20 year-old, 6' 1" 180 lb. 'southpaw' boxer decided to
turn professional after the 1959 Pan Am Games, when he was offered a $2500
signing bonus by a Chicago-based 'boxing manager'.

Soon after, 'Atom Amos' moved to Chicago, and entered in his 'first' professional
bout on October 26, 1959.

Later in life, Amos Johnson said that turning professional in October 1959 was
'the worst mistake I ever made'.

If I could only see the future, I would have waited and focused on winning the
1960 Olympic Trials, and shoot for the Gold Medal in the Light-Heavyweight division.

I was the #1 Light-Heavyweight in the United States with a record of 65-2, and I
didn't have $50 to my name. Oh, I had a bunch of Medals, Trophies and Awards,
and a Marine Championship, but no cash. That $2500 cash 'signing bonus' sure
looked good to a guy like me who had no money.

Later my good friend Billy Joiner said, 'You might as well turn professional, because
you can't eat Medals and Trophies.'

 

A nice write-up regarding the 1959 Pan Am Games Trials.

'Atom Amos' Johnson (United States Marine).

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I have a 'ton' of information from the 1960's.

Here's one.

Wednesday Night - February 3, 1960

Chicago Stadium

21 year-old - 'Atom Amos' Johnson after going 2-0-1 (1 KO) in his first 3-bouts, is matched with
20 year-old - Kent 'Slim' Green 2-0-0 (1 KO) in a 4-Round Light-Heavyweight bout (weight at 180 lbs.).

Both 'young' professionals have something in common.

They each had defeated Cassius Clay in the amateurs, and fairly easily I might add.

In a very good battle between 'two' young 180 lb. boxers, Kent Green emerges as the winner
by a 'close' Unanimous 4-Round Decision.