Sport

Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer

Controversy surrounding the gloves used by his opponent, in a fight that cost him a world championship title, has fast-tracked Jamaican-born boxer Glen Johnson back into contention for another shot at the crown.

Johnson lost a 12-round unanimous decision to Tavoris Cloud on August 7 in the United States and with it the International Boxing Federation's (IBF) light heavyweight belt held by the American.

However, it was determined that during the fight, the co-main bout on HBO's Boxing After Dark card staged at the Scottrade Center in St Louis, Missouri, Cloud did not use the same gloves which had been sanctioned by boxing authorities on the morning of the fight.

The IBF, therefore, ruled that although the result of the fight stands, Johnson would retain his status as the governing body's top ranked fighter in the 175-pound weight division.

He is now expected to fight another IBF-ranked contender. The IBF has also ordered Cloud to fight the winner of that bout in a mandatory title defence, likely in 2011.

"They are keeping me at number one," Johnson said yesterday from his home base of Florida, shortly after being informed of the IBF's decision by his manager. " ... The IBF is giving us a mandatory fight with the next ranked fighter. The winner will fight Cloud for the title."

INVESTIGATION

The unauthorised change of boxing gloves is a violation of the sport's rules.

However, Johnson said his camp has not been allowed to examine Cloud's gloves.

"They (Missouri boxing authorities) are investigating if the gloves were tampered with," the Jamaican explained. "They say they don't believe the gloves were tampered, but our camp has not been able to examine the gloves. They won't release the gloves to us."

Despite the IBF's ruling, Johnson still believes he beat Cloud. He said the gloves used by the American had little impact during the fight.

"I don't believe so, I don't feel so," argued the 41-year-old Clarendon native, who once held the IBF belt and beat Yusaf Mack in February to earn the title shot against Cloud.

"He wasn't hitting me anyway. I was blocking most of (the punches).

"A lot of people who saw the fight thought I won. I believed I won as well."

According to the man whose ring names include the 'Road Warrior' and 'Gentleman Glen', the latest loss did make him consider retirement. But he brushed that aside.

"I have to say I have thought about (retirement)," said Johnson, who now holds a professional ring record of 50 wins, 14 losses and two draws, with 34 knockouts.

"It crossed my mind when I felt the disappointment of the decision. It's a feeling I get whenever I feel robbed, but it's not a decision to rush into. Over time, you realise that instead of going with emotions, I take time out to calm myself down and think what I have to do before I make (a decision) public."

Now, he is back in training, pleased for the chance at another world title, especially because it will not require a lengthy wait.

"It's not a long road back," said Johnson, who could return to the ring in a few months, with a possible title fight some time in early 2011.

"It's shortened the distance a bit. So it is not totally discouraging."