Stevens-Johnson Scouting Report: Can Johnson Stand Toe-to-Toe with Stevens?

Stevens-Johnson Scouting Report: Can Johnson Stand Toe-to-Toe with Stevens?

Stevens & Johnson Photo Credits:  Rich Graessle/Main Events

Philadelphia, PA: Tonight when Curtis “Showtime” Stevens (26-4-0, 19 KOs) of Brooklyn, NJ and undefeated Tureano Johnson (14-0, 10 KOs) of Nassau, Bahamas square off at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, boxing fans will find out if Tureano can live up to all the smack talk he was throwing in Curtis’ direction at Wednesday’s press conference. Johnson said, “Come Friday night someone is going to get bitch-slapped. I am going to enjoy this but I cannot say the same for him. Let’s pray I don’t put him in the hospital.” Below is the scouting report for tonight’s ten round middleweight match-up between Curtis “Showtime” Stevens and Tureano Johnson:

Curtis “Showtime” Stevens Photo Credits:  Rich Graessle/Main Events

Category	Curtis “Showtime” Stevens	Tureano Johnson
Age	29	30
Record	26-4-0, 19 KOs	14-0-0, 10 KOs
Strength	Stevens has one punch power.	Johnson has an undefeated record and a strong amateur background
Weakness	Curtis doesn’t perform as well in the ring with a boxer.	Tureano has only fought lesser competition.
Experience	Stevens had over 300 amateur fights.	Johnson spent most of his amateur career in Cuba with top prospects.  He also competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Power	The edge here goes to Curtis because he has power in both hands.	If Johnson puts his punches together he has decent power.
Speed	Curtis puts his combinations together well.	The edge goes to Tureano with regards to speed.
Endurance	The edge here goes to Stevens because he has been 12 rounds once (Jan. 29, 2010 – unanimous decision loss to Jesse Brinkley) and 10 rounds three times (Jun. 16, 2007 unanimous decision loss to Andre Dirrell; Mar. 22, 2007 unanimous decision win over Darnell Boone; and Dec. 1, 2006 unanimous decision win over Dhafir Smith).	Johnson has never been past eight rounds.  In his last fight which was against an undefeated fighter, he defeated Willie Fortune, Feb. 22, 2013, via unanimous decision.  This was his only eight round fight.
Accuracy	The edge here also goes to Curtis because he puts his punches together and he has a jab.	Johnson tends to be a bit wild.
Defense	Even money with regards to defense because Curtis tends to leave himself open.	Both fighters are straight forward and for both their biggest attribute is their offense.
Chin	The edge here goes to Curtis who has been down and has gotten back up.	Johnson has never been down so there is a question about how he will react if Curtis knocks him down.
Style	Curtis comes out.  He is the finisher and is going to come right at his opponent.  If he hurts his opponent he is going to finish him.  He fights like it’s personal.	If Tureano hurts Curtis will he know how to finish him?  It is unsure whether or not he has that killer instinct.
Intangibles	Stevens didn’t need to take this fight. He could have waited for a more established opponent.  He took a fight with the first guy that wanted to get in the ring with him.  He is a fighter.	Johnson wanted this fight when other guys won’t dare get in the ring with Curtis.  He was talking smack during the press conference so he is trying to win the fight before he gets in the ring

The Match-Up

Curtis could have decided to sit and wait for the big fight but instead he decided to take on an undefeated prospect which is dangerous.  Johnson could have gone on fighting lower class boxers and padded his record.  If Johnson beats Stevens it would put him right in the top ten mix in the middleweight division 1.   If Tureano Johnson decides to go out there and box will Curtis Stevens be able to cut off the ring and do what he does best? 2.   Johnson has never been down in his career if Curtis knocks him down how will he react? 3.   Is Stevens overlooking this fight and looking to the bigger fights? 4.   Will Johnson’s amateur experience benefit him in this fight?

Curtis Stevens replied to Johnson by simply saying, “I will go in there just take care of business. Yes, he’s undefeated but he’s fought 14 softies. This time he is going to be in there with the real thing.”

Tureano Johnson Photo Courtesy of: PhillyBoxingHistory.com

Main Events’ Matchmaker Jolene Mizzone said, “Tonight’s fight says a lot about both these guys. Curtis could have decided to sit back and wait for the big fight. Tureano Johnson took the biggest step up in his career by finally getting in the ring with a fighter of Curtis’s caliber. He could possibly lose his undefeated record.”