Johnson had tremendous potential. Lightning fast hands, devastating power, boxing ability...his possibilities seemed endless. But Kirk did not have the drive, the discipline, or the desire, deep down, to make the most out of what he had. Kirkie would never have beaten a Klitschko, and would probably always have lost to Haye. But if only Kirkie had some real serious fire in his belly, he could have beaten almost anyone else, and remained near the top for years. Complete, utter waste of talent.
He never officially retired. Why did he stop fighting after the Robertson fight? It seems like he was not well managed. I went out of my way to see him live against Mora and then he disappeared. Disappointing. The KO of Maskaev was incredible, and right after Emmanuel Lewis saying Johnson would lose for sure.
Kirk had better than decent boxing skills and nice power. Good hands, feet and technique. IMO he's behind Lewis, Ruddock, Chuvalo, and Sam Langford as HW fighters who have fought representing Canada or came through the country. Kirk lacked self discipline and the hard mental focus of the great champions before him to really be considered special. He didn't think he could beat Maskaev yet he knocks him out. Against Ruiz he should have known about the cheap, dirty tactics and complaining to the ref stuff that he does. That's just studying your opponent and getting the job done. Kirk didn't do that and he could have boxed much better in that fight. Granted, I've never seen a guy rise up on his toes to make a body shot look like a low blow more than Ruiz did against Johnson. Against Vitali, Kirk let his weight get the better of him and was completely embarrassed in a fight that was a golden opportunity for him.
Agree that Kirk Johnson had the talent, but he just never fully developed it. That is what Larry Holmes could have become if he had not been as hungry, determined and disciplined as he was. One guy takes what he has and develops it to its utmost year after year, while the other does not, and you see the wide divergence in careers.
He should have never weighed 260 lbs in a very important fight against an angry Vitali, who thought he got shafted by Lewis. If Kirk had set his mind to that fight, he would have put up a much better challenge. He has the power and skills to finish either Klitschko. Just a bad, bad, scene when I saw Kirk enter the ring that night, and the steel look on Vitali's face.
According to Lefthook31 Fat Kirk used to boss a few good names in sparring. I think he mentioned either Tua or Ibeabuchi knocking them down, I can't remember which though 1 of our better posters who's since been banned for disagreeing with someone....SMH
I've heard that story too. But allegedly it was Rahman who did it. Everybody knocked down poor Ike in sparrings.
Don't most people announce their retirement rather than just fade away after having won their last fight? I can't figure out why he did not get back in the ring following his fight with Robertson.