This news was particularly bewildering to me, Let me explain first, Reggie Johnson’s last fight was in 2005, before that he lost to Antonio Tarver in 2002, before that he had two USBA and NABF title winning fights in 2001 after a hiatus away from the active roster since 1999. So please explain to me, are they current crop of ranked fighters in the light heavyweight division or in boxing in general so bad that a five feet eleven inch 41 year old semi retired albeit experienced veteran in a sport of hard knocks could come back from oblivion to decision an active fighter ten years his junior, standing six feet two inches tall with a resume that included losing a UD against they tenacious Clinton woods who gave tough Glen Johnson all he could handle. Perhaps Gonzalez absorbed too much punishment against Woods to be a threat to the comeback kid. I found few reports of the Gonzalez versus Johnson fight to wet my appetite about what happened and I am scouting around for a tape of the fight so I can understand this curious blip on the radar screen.

Johnson’s win kind of reminds me of Foreman beating Moorer, but Foreman to his credit was very active before that fight, or maybe that is too high a comparison for this fight, but you know what I mean, so excuse me. The more I think about his victory, the more I remember scribes and historians always rambling about old school fighters, or just simply throwback fighters. Perhaps Reggie trains old school like his 43 year old peer Hopkins who outclassed the younger Tarver and gave the 27 year old Jermain Taylor almost more than he could handle in their two very competitive fights. God help us if Hopkins manages to beat Calzaghe because we will have everybody including Seoul Mamby and Iran Barkley re-lace for a comeback with enough precedent to claim age discrimination, and rightly and most regretfully so if you ask me.

Another throwback fighter who comes to mind is the legendary Evander Holyfield, they last of the fifteen rounders giving these younger lazy fighters all kind of fits way past his prime, and who can blame Evander for fighting at 45 years old, I personally blame the current crop of lazy young and technically unskilled pugilists of today for our present predicament.

To be honest I questioned Reggie Johnson’s return against an active and number 13 ranked fighter in the division according to Fightnews.com today, I suspected money to be the driving force behind such a risky gambit. That may still be the case and there is nothing wrong with that, and while his victory has somewhat vindicated his decision in this particular fight, I am still skeptical and not ready to jump on his bandwagon just yet.

While Reggie Johnson’s victory is great for him, if he wins his next fight against another ranked contender there will be fewer road blocks in front of him for a title shot as he seems to be very well represented. Do not be surprised if he wins another more recognized title that would be doubly great for him while at the same time making a mockery of the current list of lazy ranked contenders who have failed to structure their preparation using old school techniques to meet old school fighters in the ring.

I hereby declare that we need more old school fighters in their forties but preferably in their fifties to knock some sense into these young bloods of today or at least give them a very good run for their money till the get their games in order. Keep Punching