The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER getting off to a fast start in his professional career two years ago, Taureano ‘Reno’ Johnson is hoping to step it up by signing an exclusive promotional contract with highly acclaimed Gary Shaw Productions.

“Initially when I started my career in 2010 after competing in the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, I didn’t get off to the start that I expected,” Johnson said. “But now that I’ve signed up with Gary Shaw, I expect things to be a lot different than they have been in the past.”

With a long and distinquished amateur boxing career, Johnson said he had three basic goals. He achieved the first when he competed at the Olympics. Then when he turned pro, he had two others he pursued. He wanted to sign with a major United States promoter and then his ultimate goal is to eventually become a world champion and be recognised as the greatest pro boxer from the Bahamas.

“I now have achieved two of my goals,” he said, “and I am confident that GSP will be the vehicle that will help my third goal become a reality.”

Signing the 28-year-old Johnson, Shaw noted: “Taureano has a tremendous amount of talent and we are delighted to include him on our roster of great young fighters. We are looking to get him in the ring as soon as possible. Right now, we are looking for an open date to showcase his talent.”

Johnson, fresh off his last victory on June 16 when he won an unanimous six-round decision over Roberto Yong at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, is expected to return to the ring on July 20 to take on DonYi Livingston at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California.

While he doesn’t know too much about his opponent, Johnson said he’s eager to get back in the ring and continue his quest to remain undefeated in a bid to solidify his position to get a legitimate shot at a world middleweight title in the very near future.

Even though he would have liked to be showcased on a live television broadcast, Johnson said he knows it’s only a matter of time before he gets his major breakthrough, so he’s going to continue to be patient.

“I’m an old-school fighter who likes to get bloody and barbaric when I get into the ring,” he said. “To all of the fighters out there in the middleweight division, let this serve as a wake up call. If you want to get knocked out in a great fight, call Mr Shaw and let’s give the fans what they want to see.”

Johnson’s manager Victor Wainstein said they are excited about the prospects that await their decision to sign with Shaw.

“We are extremely thankful for the wonderful opportunity Mr Shaw has given us and we believe that we have one of the most exciting prospects in any weight class,” he said. “Reno has a fan-friendly made for TV style that usually steals the show when he fights.

“We are confident that once the boxing fans get to see him in action, he will be a staple of the television networks for years to come.”

Johnson, an orthodox 5-foot, 10-inch competitor, said he’s going to take each match with the same vigour and vitality as he has done in the past.