Tuesday, December 06, 2011

'Too Sharp' Johnson Heading To The Hall of Fame!!!



The dream has come true!! DC's own Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson has been chosen for the International Boxing Hall of Fame!

The former three-time world champion is part of an outstanding class that will be inducted during Hall of Fame weekend June 7-10 in Canastota, NY. The other modern-era boxer that will be inducted is former six-time world champion Thomas "Hitman" Hearns.

Two of this year's class will be involved in the "Capital Showdown" card on Saturday in DC -- ring announcer Michael Buffer and Amir Khan trainer Freddie Roach.

Also inducted this year will be broadcaster Al Bernstein and legendary NY Boxing writer Michael Katz.

Here are Johnson's comments about being inducted:

"This is wonderful! This is an awesome moment for me. The Hall of Fame is the biggest award that an athlete can receive. I strived my whole career to be in the Hall. I can’t say enough. This is a dream come true, just wonderful."

Another Beltway legend -- 1997 Hall of Fame inductee Sugar Ray Leonard -- had these words about Johnson's induction:

“I’m so excited that my homeboy Mark Johnson has been inducted. He was one of the most exciting fighters. He was always among the top pound-for-pound fighters of his time and many times boxers wouldn’t fight him because of that. Mark never got his just due but being inducted into the Hall of Fame, he gets it.”



(Photo by Lorin Chvotkin)

At the open workout for Capital Showdown, BATB talked to the new hall of famer!



Later in the workout, Johnson got an opportunity to talk to one of his fellow hall of fame classmates -- trainer Freddie Roach! Here is that brief conversation:

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Mark,

Fantastic news! Well deserved Champ! All of the hard work, sacrifice, and commitment to excellence paid off in a BIG WAY!

Much love to you and your family.

Fight Doctor (J. Spears)