Leavander Johnson (December 24, 1969 – September 22, 2005) was an American lightweight boxer from Atlantic City, New Jersey,[1] who once held the International Boxing Federation version of the world title.
He won the title on June 17, 2005, against the Italian fighter Stefano Zoff, winning after the referee stopped the fight in the seventh round.
As a professional he quickly built on his reputation as a top prospect by remaining undefeated after his first 22 contests (one, against Wilfredo Rivera, of which was drawn).
Johnson won the fight, earning himself his first world title shot, by knocking his opponent out in the eighth round.
The fight, which was fought in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, ended with Johnson suffering his first loss as a professional, the fight being stopped in the eighth round Johnson got his second world title shot in May 1997, this time challenging Orzubek Nazarov for the WBA version of the lightweight world title.