Johnny Nelson

Johnny Nelson was one of the greatest boxers of his generation, with a professional career that spanned over 19 years. With a record of 45-12-2 and 29 knockout victories, he was known for his electrifying performances in the ring. Let's take a closer look at his career and some of his most notable accomplishments.

Nelson made his professional boxing debut in 1986, at the young age of 19, against Peter Brown. Unfortunately, he lost to Brown via 6 round PTS. However, this was just the beginning of an illustrious career that would see him fight a total of 59 times.

The first world-title fight of Nelson's career took place on January 27, 1990, at the age of 23, against Carlos De Leon. The fight was for the WBC cruiserweight title and ended in a split-decision draw. This was a significant moment for Nelson, as it showed the world that he had the ability to compete at the highest level of the sport.

It wasn't until almost a decade later, on March 27, 1999, that Nelson won his first world title. He defeated Carl Thompson to become the WBO cruiserweight champion, winning via a 5th round TKO. This was a momentous occasion for Nelson, as it was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

Nelson went on to defend his title an impressive 12 times, with one of the most memorable fights taking place on August 7, 1999. He successfully defended his WBO cruiserweight title against Willard Lewis, winning the fight via 4th round RTD. This was just the start of a string of knockout victories for Nelson, with his next world-title fight resulting in a 4th round KO against Christophe Girard on November 6, 1999.

It was on October 7, 2000, that Nelson had one of his most impressive performances. He successfully defended his WBO cruiserweight title against Adam Watt, winning the fight via 5th round TKO. This performance solidified Nelson's place as one of the best boxers of his generation and showcased his incredible skill and power in the ring.

Nelson's professional career wasn't without its setbacks, however. He suffered a total of 12 losses during his career, with one of them coming in a title bout against Carl Thompson. However, the majority of his losses were in non-title bouts, with his first professional defeat coming against Peter Brown in his debut fight via 6th round PTS. Despite these losses, Nelson remained a fierce competitor and continued to give his all in every fight.

After an incredible career that spanned almost two decades, Nelson retired from professional boxing with a record of 45-12-2. His last professional fight was a cruiserweight title defense bout against Vincenzo Cantatore, which he won via a 12 round split-decision to defend his WBO title. It has been over 17 years since that fight, but Nelson's legacy continues to live on.

Overall, Johnny Nelson's professional boxing career is one that will be remembered for years to come. With a total of 59 fights, including 45 victories and 29 knockout wins, he was a fierce competitor who always gave his all in the ring. His accomplishments, including his world-title win and 12 title defenses, showcase his incredible skill and dedication to the sport of boxing. Though he faced setbacks along the way, Nelson remained a true champion until the very end of his career.

Johnny Nelson Fight Record