The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER fighting on the undercard in his previous appearances, Taureano ‘Reno’ Johnson finally got some television recognition and he took full advantage of it to remain undefeated in 14 professional fights, although he would have preferred to secure another knockout on his ledger.

In a class of unbeaten middleweights, Johnson scored an eight round unanimous decision over Willie Fortune after all three judges gave him an 80-72 decision at the Morongo Casino Resort in Cabazon, California, in the co-main event on Showtime Friday night.

“The fight was excellent. I have to give the Almighty God thanks for giving me the opportunity and the ability to go out there and display my talent,” said Johnson from his home in Florida on Sunday. “The fight went well. I got the victory. I was a slight bit disappointed that I didn’t pull off the knockout that we had planned. But hey, we got the W.”

In his 14 fights, the 29-year-old Johnson has posted 10 knockouts, but in the four fights that he didn’t stop his opponent, he has gone the distance like he did against Fortune, who dropped to 15-1 with seven KOs.

“My faith in the Almighty God has been my key, but I have also been very disciplined in my training,” Johnson said. “I’ve had the support of my country and I know a lot of people have been rooting and praying for me to pull off the win and hopefully become a world champion in the future.

“So I have a great deal on my shoulder, but there’s no weight on me. I’m just more motivated to go out there and perform.”

In all of his fights since turning pro with a first round TKO over Cleoney Fugua on March 5, 2010, after he completed an impressive amateur career that saw him just miss getting a medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Johnson said he has been getting better and better.

“This fight, because it was on television and I was in the co-main event, I would give this the best one overall,” said Johnson, who is looking to eventually become a headliner on television before the year is out. “I was very pleased with the way I fought, especially against an undefeated guy like Willie Fortune.”

In the meantime, Johnson will get back in training this week in preparation for his next fight - the venue and opponent has yet to be named - scheduled for March 22 in Florida. Additionally, Johnson said his promoters are also looking at the possibility of having a chance to come home to fight within the next five months so that he can show off the skills that he has acquired since he left for Florida to pursue his professional career.