MIAMI, Florida CMC:
JAMAICA-BORN LIGHT heavyweight boxer Glen Johnson says he has no regrets over sacrificing his International Boxing Federation (IBF) title for a big-money bout against American Antonio Tarver next month.
The 35-year-old, originally from Clarendon in central Jamaica, believes he had "no other choice" but to decide on giving up his belt to earn the best payday of his career.
Johnson was stripped of his IBF light-heavyweight crown last week after accepting a multimillion-dollar fight with Antonio Tarver on December 18 in Los Angeles.
IBF CHALLENGER
The IBF had obligated Johnson to face Rico Hoye, the sanctioning body's mandatory challenger, before Johnson could fight Tarver.
"It has been a struggle to get here, and I decided this was the best move for me," said Johnson, who has a ring record of 41 wins (28 knockouts) against nine losses and two draws.
"I chose this fight because it's the fight the public wants to see."
Like Johnson, Tarver encountered similar treatment from a rival organisation.
Tarver (22-2), who won the World Boxing Council (WBC) title after knocking out Roy Jones Jnr., was stripped of his belt for refusing to face mandatory challenger Paul Briggs.
For years, Jones managed to retain his multiple belts with few instances of renouncing a light-heavyweight title.
"In any business, you have your chosen ones," said Johnson.
Ring magazine has been recognising the best fighters in each weight division, and the publication will distinguish the Johnson-Tarver winner with a belt symbolic of the top 175-pound fighter.
