The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

EVER since Tureano ‘Reno’ Johnson left Madison Square Garden Theater with the World Boxing Association’s International and World Boxing Council’s silver titles around his waist, the public wondered what was the next step.

Johnson petitioned for a shot against World Boxing Association and International Boxing Organisation middle weight champion Gennady Govolkin, but after those plans fell through, Johnson and his promotional team now seek an alternate path to the coveted titles.

Johnson’s promoter Gary Shaw recently told boxingscene.com that Tureano remains within reach of a title shot in the near future, among the top three contenders. Shaw presented a scenario which he says he will take to the WBC regarding Johnson’s title path.

“Look, Tureano is in a great position. He’s number two (in the WBC) and (Jorge Sebastian) Heiland has to fight. Maybe they will mandate Tureano and Heiland to fight to be the mandatory, because right now, after Miguel Cotto’s next fight, he has to fight ‘Triple G’ (Govolkin) or he’ll be stripped,” Shaw said. “So if he’s stripped, ‘Triple G” is going to have to either fight Heiland or Tureano as the mandatory.

Johnson was not awarded the opportunity and Govolkin will face Willie Monroe Jr next month.

Cotto (39-4) is set to make his Roc Nation debut when he faces off against Daniel Geale (31-4) in Brooklyn, New York, on June 6.

Johnson, 30, had rose to prominence with his fifth round TKO over Alex Theran last January.

Following the fight, Johnson (18-1) made it clear that his intention was to rise quickly up the ranks as Shaw outlined.

“I’m ready to fight Gennady Golovkin, Miguel Cotto, Jermaine Taylor or any other champion out there,” he said. “These are the types of fights I would like to pursue. David Lemieux is also on my hit list. I’m here to take over this division. Everyone knows I should be undefeated so I’m going to leave no doubt about it every time I step in the ring.”

It was his debut on the inaugural RocNation Sports promotion “Throne Boxing” – and in front of attendees such as New York Knicks basketball forward Carmelo Anthony, New York Yankees’ baseball pitcher CC Sabathia, pop star Rihanna, producer Spike Lee and Beyonce, whose husband, entertainment mogul Jay-Z, was the promoter.

Johnson said his addition to the Roc Nation Sports lineup will bring a new level of exposure to his career.

“With Gary Shaw putting me in a great position, I’m going to make the most of every opportunity. My goal in 2015 is to become a world champion. He has been very generous to allow me to fight on many occasions, even fighting back in the Bahamas. Now with the merger of Roc Nation and Gary Shaw, leaves me with phenomenal possibilities. It is the biggest move in the boxing world today,” he said.

“I think with the publicity with Jay Z and Roc Nation, they are out there with all of the sports and all of the entertainment they are going to grab a lot of attention as well as with Gary Shaw and his knowledge in boxing. I believe it is the most dynamic move in my life – the merger being complete and actually happening.”

Johnson is now ranked at No. 8 in the WBC, No. 12 in the WBA and No. 12 in the International Boxing Federation.