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.

GUNN AND JONES JR. BATTLE IN ‘WINNER TAKES ALL’ TITLE FIGHT

To increase the growing intensity of their upcoming WBU Cruiserweight Title fight, former boxing champions Bobby “The Celtic Warrior” Gunn and Roy Jones Jr. have announced that their bout will be a winner takes all contest, meaning the fighter who earns the belt that night will earn the complete purse. 

These types of stakes are often found in bare knuckle boxing, which Gunn is no stranger to.  Two years ago Gunn fought in the first sanctioned BKB match in over 123 years, winning the heavyweight title of the world.  On December 3, 2013 from the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA, he will look to add the squared circle world belt to his trophy case, being the only fighter to possess both bare knuckle and gloved boxing titles simultaneously since the late John L. Sullivan.

About the winner takes all bout, Gunn stated, “By doing this it shows everybody in the world how important and how much this fight means to me.  I’m not coming in for any other reason than to win this fight and win big with a knockout.”

In his last two bouts Gunn faced former world champions Tomasz Adamek and James Toney, losing in a controversial stoppage to Adamek and suffering a broken hand in the battle with Toney, and now will add former pound-for-pound champion and future Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. to his impressive fight resume.

“Roy is a class act in and out of the ring and it is a privilege and honor to beat him, but that being said, this is my time, and I plan to capture the WBU Title in what I expect to be a very exciting and fan-friendly matchup,” said Gunn.

Both Gunn and Jones Jr. have lived decorated careers inside the ring, and have established themselves as top fighters.  Come December 3 they won’t be fighting to move up the rankings, or to earn sponsorship deals…they will be fighting for one reason, to claim the WBU Cruiserweight Title.

“I’ve never been more focused and ready for a fight, and I know this is my time to shine and knockout Roy,” said Gunn.  “There can only be one…Gunn.”

Bobby Gunn and Roy Jones Jr. meet December 3 at the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA for the WBU Cruiserweight Title.  The fight will be aired on internet TV and international PPV with details to come.