John Michael Johnson (born June 23, 1968, in San Antonio, Texas, USA) is a retired American bantamweight boxer. He made his professional debut in 1986 and was a WBA bantamweight world champion
Known as "Bam Bam," Johnson turned professional in 1986. In 1994 he won the WBA bantamweight title by knocking out Junior Jones in the 11th round.[1] Later that year, Johnson controversially lost the belt in his first defense to Daorung Chuvatana in Thailand. Near the end of the first round, Johnson sustained a cut above his right eye from a headbutt, however, the referee ruled that it was caused by a punch and the fight was called off upon the recommendation of the ringside doctor, resulting in a first round technical knockout victory for Chuwatana. Johnson immediately filed a protest on the grounds that the injury had been caused by a headbutt and that a technical draw should have been declared. In 1999 he challenged Lehlohonolo Ledwaba for the vacant IBF super bantamweight title but lost by decision.
In 2001 Johnson made a comeback and scored four victories, including a technical knockout over Antonio Diaz and a knockout in the first round over Augie Sanchez. Due to his success, he was named Ring Magazine comeback of the year. Johnson lost both of his bouts in 2002 and retired later in the year.
On September 29, 2014, Johnson lost an eight-round fight to Ricardo Alvarez by unanimous decision.[2]
| 42 fights | 31 wins | 11 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 23 | 2 |
| By decision | 8 | 9 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | Loss | 31–11 | Omar Castillo | TKO | 5 (6) | 2019-11-16 | Event Center, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 41 | Loss | 31–10 | Ricardo Álvarez | UD | 8 (8) | 2014-09-29 | State Farm Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 31–9 | Steve Trumble | UD | 4 (4) | 2013-11-16 | Event Center, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 39 | Loss | 30–9 | Ángel Chacón | UD | 12 (12) | 2002-10-27 | Mario Morales Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | For vacant IBA featherweight title |
| 38 | Loss | 30–8 | Oscar León | UD | 12 (12) | 2002-04-05 | Alumni Arena, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | Lost IBA featherweight title |
| 37 | Win | 30–7 | Augie Sanchez | KO | 1 (12) | 2001-12-07 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | Won vacant IBA featherweight title |
| 36 | Win | 29–7 | Harold Grey | KO | 7 (12) | 2001-09-23 | Sunset Station, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | Won vacant IBA super-bantamweight title |
| 35 | Win | 28–7 | Antonio Diaz | TKO | 3 (10) | 2001-08-04 | United Palace, Washington Heights, New York, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 27–7 | David Murillo | SD | 10 (10) | 2001-05-25 | Ciudad Juárez, Mexico | |
| 33 | Loss | 26–7 | José Rojas | UD | 10 (10) | 2000-05-20 | Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S. | |
| 32 | Loss | 26–6 | Lehlo Ledwaba | UD | 12 (12) | 1999-05-29 | Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa | For vacant IBF super-bantamweight title |
| 31 | Win | 26–5 | Jorge Alberto Reyes | TKO | 3 (10) | 1998-11-13 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 25–5 | Arturo Estrada | UD | 8 (8) | 1998-08-05 | Rosedale Park, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 24–5 | Jose Guadalupe Rangel | KO | 7 (10) | 1998-02-07 | Uvalde, Texas, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 23–5 | Richard Dinkins | TKO | 6 (?) | 1997-12-05 | Amphitheater, Pompano Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 22–5 | Martin Solorio | TKO | 5 (10) | 1997-09-10 | San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 21–5 | Jesus Montiel | TKO | 4 (8) | 1997-04-19 | San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 20–5 | Felizardo Carrasco | TKO | 2 (10) | 1996-03-18 | County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 19–5 | Lazaro Padilla | UD | 10 (10) | 1996-01-24 | San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 23 | Loss | 18–5 | Daorung Chuvatana | TKO | 1 (12) | 1994-07-16 | Municipal Stadium, Uttaradit, Thailand | Lost WBA bantamweight title |
| 22 | Win | 18–4 | Junior Jones | TKO | 11 (12) | 1994-04-22 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won WBA bantamweight title |
| 21 | Win | 17–4 | Arturo Estrada | RTD | 7 (10) | 1993-12-22 | Marriott Riverwalk, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 16–4 | Rodolfo Robles | TKO | 6 (10) | 1993-08-26 | Marriott Riverwalk, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 15–4 | Arturo Estrada | KO | 6 (10) | 1993-06-21 | Marriott Riverwalk, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 14–4 | Erbeu Montalvo | KO | 8 (?) | 1993-05-15 | Carrizo Springs, Texas, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 13–4 | Sergio Alvarez | KO | 1 (?) | 1993-02-15 | Nuevo Laredo, Mexico | |
| 16 | Win | 12–4 | Abner Barajas | UD | 12 (12) | 1992-05-24 | Sunken Gardens, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | Won vacant USBA super-flyweight title |
| 15 | Win | 11–4 | Roland Gomez | TKO | 2 (?) | 1991-08-16 | Rosedale Park, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 10–4 | Armando Diaz | UD | 10 (10) | 1991-03-02 | Callaghan Plaza, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 9–4 | Javier Díaz | TD | 5 (12) | 1990-08-15 | Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S. | Won WBC Continental Americas super-flyweight title |
| 12 | Win | 8–4 | Rodolfo Robles | KO | 3 (?) | 1990-05-06 | Sunken Gardens, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 11 | Loss | 7–4 | Johnny Tapia | UD | 8 (8) | 1989-10-17 | State Fair, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 10 | Loss | 7–3 | Junior Jones | UD | 4 (4) | 1989-08-10 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 7–2 | Miguel Martinez | TKO | 2 (6) | 1988-12-15 | Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 6–2 | Marco Antonio Lopez | TKO | 1 (4) | 1988-11-23 | Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 5–2 | John Vasquez | TKO | 1 (6) | 1987-11-10 | Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 4–2 | Jesse Alviar | TKO | 3 (6) | 1987-08-15 | Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 5 | Loss | 3–2 | Renaldo Carter | UD | 6 (6) | 1987-05-30 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 3–1 | Anthony Lopez | TKO | 2 (4) | 1987-05-01 | Fiesta Plaza Mall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 2–1 | Fernando Puente | TKO | 2 (4) | 1987-03-15 | Fiesta Plaza Mall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 2 | Loss | 1–1 | John Vasquez | MD | 4 (4) | 1986-09-10 | Randy's Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Jesse Alviar | UD | 4 (4) | 1986-07-25 | Convention Center Arena, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
Johnson was married to Sandra Johnson. They have three children, John Michael Johnson Jr., Alexandra Marie Johnson, and Jessica Michelle Johnson.[citation needed]
