The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AN impressive start to his professional career continues for Taureano Johnson who recently took part in a rare feat in the modern boxing era.

Johnson fought two matches in just days apart as he continues to bolster his standing in the Middleweight Division in a bid for title contention.

An undefeated prospect in the professional ranks thus far, Johnson (13-0, 10 KOs), recorded two knockouts in four days when he travelled to the Dominican Republic and defeated Jonalis Reyes on September 29, followed by a third round stoppage of Jose Morla on October 2.

After expressing his frustration in finding opponents on a fast track to a title, Johnson said he ran into a road block trying to find r�sum� building fights.

After he had 11 fights under his belt since he moved to Atlanta to launch his pro career on March 5, 2010, Johnson, in an interview with the Tribune last month, expressed his frustration when his scheduled September 21 fight was called off.

“Right now I’m feeling really strong and all my punches are accurate,” said Johnson. “I’m going to continue to work hard in the gym and see what the big boss Gary Shaw has lined up for me. I know GSP is working hard to get me right back in the ring. I feel I’m ready to step up the competition.”

Johnson is looking to use the recent bouts as a stepping stone to a Commonwealth title fight against Billy Joe Saunders for the Caribbean and Commonwealth middleweight titles.

Saunders, a southpaw from England, won the vacant Commonwealth title on April 28 with a first round knockout over Tony Hill in Kensington, London.

Saunders, 23, has successfully defended the title twice - first on June 1 with a 12-round unanimous decision over Bradley Pryce and second on September 14 with a second round knockout over Jarrod Fletcher - at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.

With the performances, Saunders has improved his record to 15-0.

Johnson, five years older at age 28, said his management team is working on trying to have the title fight staged right here in the Bahamas.

“We both have very good records, we both went to the Beijing Olympics (in 2008), but I finished in a higher round than he did. Right now, he’s the Commonwealth champion and he has to first accept the fight.

“Taureano is an incredible fighter with a great work ethic,” his manager Gary Shaw said. “That’s all you can ask for when you sign a blue-chip prospect like Johnson. The fact that he went to the Dominican Republic and won two fights in four days by knockout lets me know I have a great fighter on my team. I’m working hard to get him on a bigger stage next time he steps in the ring.”