Johnson Decisions Gunn; “The Celtic Warrior” Calls it a Career!

 

Bethlehem, PA (December 19, 2013) – Former WBC-USNBC, WBA-NABA and IBA cruiserweight titlist Bobby “The Celtic Warrior” Gunn believed yesterday’s match up with boxing great Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson would serve as a perfect ending to a career that started four decades ago.

 

Gunn, a bare knuckle boxing legend who is well known for his toughness, previously came up short in big fights versus Enzo Maccarinelli, Tomasz Adamek and James Toney. Against Johnson, “The Celtic Warrior” planned to box with speed, stay on his toes and move his head.

 

Unfortunately, he was never able to get on track, taking a number of good shots from the aggressive and busier Johnson. As the rounds progressed, Johnson’s pressure bothered Gunn, who suffered a cut on his nose and showed a solid chin but was never able to match Johnson’s punch output.

 

All three judges scored the eight round cruiserweight bout 80-72 in favor of Johnson, who improved to 53-18-2 with 36 knockouts.

 

Moments after the decision was announced, the classy Gunn took the microphone to congratulate his opponent on a well-earned victory and inform his fans that this was the last time they’d see him inside the squared circle.

 

“Some nights you just don’t have it,” stated the dejected Gunn. “I (got too caught up) in trying to land one punch but Glen isn’t the type of fighter that you can get out of there easily. Had I fought Roy Jones, I think I could have stopped him but I just couldn’t get my punches off.

 

Gunn, who had a good training camp and didn’t have any major injuries, gave credit where it was due and didn’t search for excuses regarding his performance.

 

“I couldn’t pull the trigger and I promised my wife that this would be my last fight. I want to thank everybody who’s been there for me when I was at my lowest point and rode with me all the way to the biggest fights of my career. My main focus right now is helping my son, Bobby Jr., get ready for his pro debut and this is the last time you’ll see me as a professional boxer.”

 

Gunn, who was self managed and negotiated a number of big fights during his career, also plans to assist other young fighters and ensure they are not taken advantage of from a business standpoint.

 

Since turning pro in 1989, Gunn fought in Mexico, England, Arizona, New Jersey, Mexico, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Virginia, Mississippi, Arizona and Pennsylvania. He competed in nine title fights, multiple controversial bouts, had more than 250 amateur matches and served as a sparring partner during his younger years for more than 25 world champions.

 

His final professional record is 21-6-1 with 18 knockouts.

Fans can interact with Bobby on Twitter @real_bobby_gunn.

Bobby Gunn Ready To Go Out With A Bang Against Glenn Johnson

Tomorrow night live from the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, former IBA cruiserweight champion of the world and Bare Knuckle Boxing legend Bobby “The Celtic Warrior” will throw hands with ring veteran and former light heavyweight champion Glenn “The Road Warrior” Johnson.

In what has the makings of a ‘Fight of the Year” candidate simply by looking at bother pugilists’ resumes, Gunn and Johnson will battle for the vacant WBU world cruiserweight title.  Fight fans can watch the battle live by visiting http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Glen_Johnson_V_Bobby_Gunn/2139.

“I’ve been working training harder for this fight than any other as I know a win over Glenn and capturing the WBU belt can be a career defining moment,” said Gunn.  “I’m coming into this fight in top shape and I am ready to show the world that there are still some bullets left in this gun.”

Gunn was originally scheduled to fight Roy Jones Jr., but Jones Jr. backed out only weeks before the title fight.  Rather than becoming complacent and abandoning all the work he had put in preparing for the faceoff, Gunn requested Johnson, a man who viciously knocked out Jones Jr. in 2004, and the fight came to fruition.

Through Gunn’s career he has dealt with his share of controversy and adversity inside and out of the ring, but has always kept his focus on doing what he does best—fighting.  Inside the ring he has battled future Hall of Famers Tomasz Adamek and James Toney and captured world titles, while outside he made history by competing—and winning—in the first sanctioned bare knuckle boxing match since 1889. 

Turning 40 on Christmas Day, Gunn has expressed that this will be the final fight of what has been beyond a decorated career.

“I turned pro in 1989, and through the 24-years within the squared circle I have accomplished so many great feats, and tomorrow night I plan to go out with a bang against Glenn Johnson.  I suggest that any true boxing fan watches the fight online if they are unable to come in person.  I guarantee they won’t be disappointed.  We are going to put on fireworks, and we will leave it all in the ring.  Two warriors will enter, but I will be the one who comes out holding the world championship belt.  There can be only one…Gunn.”

The doors at the event center will open at 6:30 p.m. and the action is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.  Tune in to http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Glen_Johnson_V_Bobby_Gunn/2139 to watch what may prove to be the fight of the year.

'Randall Bailey Day' Saturday in Key West

KEY WEST, Fla. (July 23, 2012) - The City of Key West has declared this Saturday as "Randall Bailey Day," honoring the new International Boxing Federation ("IBF") Welterweight World Champion Randall "The Knockout King" Bailey. Now a three-time, two division world champion, Bailey (43-7, 37 KOs) is coming off of a "Knockout of the Year" performance, on June 9, over previously unbeaten Mike Jones (26-1, 19 KOs) for the vacant IBF title. "This is a great honor," Bailey said. "My first fight in Key West was in 2006 and since then the people there have been behind me 100 percent. This world championship isn't just for me; it's for Key West, too." Bailey is scheduled to defend his title on September 8, against former world champion Devon Alexander (23-1, 13 KOs), on Showtime from a site to be determined. "Randall Bailey Day" is also a celebration of boxing in Key West, which will also honor recently retired world champion Glenn "The Road Warrior" Johnson and Sherman "Tank" Williams, who last month upset Chauncy Welliver in Macau to become the World Boxing Organization (WBO) China & Asia Pacific heavyweight champion. Williams, in fact, proudly calls himself a Bahamian with a Conch punch (Conch is a citizen of Key West). Bailey, Johnson and Williams have become role models in Key West, where they always attend boxing shows and work with youth at the local Police Athletic League (PAL) facility, as well as the community at large to encourage youngsters to gain respect for discipline and hard work. Also being honored is Bailey's manager, Si Stern, and Dave Johnson, who are largely responsible for bringing international boxing recognition to Key West. Stern and Johnson have made financial contributions to provide guests with hot dogs and hamburgers, while Coca-Cola and Budweiser have donated beverages. "When Dave and I decided to bring pro boxing to Key West some eight years ago," Stern commented, "it was a dream come true because we knew about the history of boxing in Key West. In the old days, Ernest Hemingway watched Kid Gavilan, the original 'Kid Chocolate,' and other Cuban boxers who fought out of Key West. The City of Key West loved our idea and with the help of the Tourist Development Commission (TDC), Key West boxing became a reality and we are delighted that this day has happened. Who could believe our small city and county now has world champions who call Key West their second home?" Saturday's festivities (3 p.m. ET start) will include a motorcade escorted by two Key West police cars, two motorcycles and two mounted units. Also part of the motorcade will be a Key West Fire Department pumper truck, 60-passenger Conch Train (donated by Historical Tours of America) for PAL participants and their families, plus additional vehicles for the honorees. The Key West Rotary Club is a sponsor of this event. Local boxers such as Jimmy Bowman, Eddie Agin, Danny Van Staaden and others will also be on hand. The celebration culminates at Truman Waterfront, where the honorees will be presented with Honorary Conch status, as well as a proclamation declaring Saturday, July 28, 2012, as "Randall Bailey Day."