The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN two weeks, Taureano ‘Reno’ Johnson will step back into the professional boxing ring to get his career back on track.

On April 4 at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Johnson got sidetracked when he suffered a 10-round technical knockout to Curtis Stevens for his first loss in 15 fights since he made his debut with a first round knockout over Cleoney Fugua at the Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 5, 2010.

From his training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in an exclusive interview with The Tribune, Johnson said he’s eager to compete again.

“This is my second fight for the year,” said Johnson, who felt it was a controversial loss that he suffered at the hands of Stevens, the World Boxing Council’s No.4 ranked middleweight. “Right now, I’m getting ready to pick back up.”

Johnson, 30, will have his hands full when he takes on Mike Gavronski on July 11 at the Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Washington. Gavronski, 28, is undefeated at 14-0 with 10 knockouts. His last fight was on April 14 when he won a sixth bout over Kevin Hand at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois.

For Johnson, who also has 10 knockouts, Gavronski will provide him with exactly the challenge that he will need to regain his composure and competitive edge.

“I was in a depression after I lost that fight, but you’re never going to get a fair shake in another man’s land,” Johnson said. “But right now, I’m even more determined and eager and just ready to get back into the ring to prove that I am a world champion. So the preparation is going well and my determination is back and I’m better than I ever was before.”

Like all of his other opponents, Johnson said he’s not taking Gavronski lightly.

“To me, every fight is an important fight,” he said. “I consider him to be a block in my way that I need to take down. He’s a dangerous fighter. I understand that. He’s a very credible fighter, credible opponent, one that I will not take lightly.”

In preparation for the fight, Johnon said he has stepped up his training with coach Tony Bendicott after he spent a short time working out with his sister, Kayla Johnson.

“Right now my determination has risen from high to even higher,” he said. “I’m ready. That loss has given me and helped me to generate enough tenacity to go into the ring to do some more destruction. I just have to continue to stay focused and give all my trust and hope to my Almighty God and just try to stay healthy and get as much rest as I can.”

Although he’s fighting out of the United States, Johnson said he knows that he has his family and the entire Bahamas in his corner. At the end of the fight, he hopes to make everybody just as he proud as he did in his first 14 fights before his unblemished record was ruined by Stevens.

Watch out Gavronski, Johnson said he intends to take his frustration out on you.