Leavander Johnson's posthumous entry into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame
Gone But Never Forgotten
Leavander Johnson's posthumous entry into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame
By Raymond Tyler --> ONE OF THE MOST bittersweet stories of 2005 has been the final chapter in the life of local fighter Leavander Johnson. Earlier this year, Johnson was honored as a world champion by his hometown of Atlantic City. Like everyone here it did my heart good to see the young man finally get the belt that I felt he had earned years ago. I was glad that, as a champ, Johnson had maintained the same humble spirit he had on the day his pro career began. Johnson didn't retreat to a mansion. In fact, he could still be found in the same barbershops, corners stores and hangouts as the people he attended high school.
However, I believe the most important decision that Leavander — and his team family made — was to continue to train right here in Atlantic City at the Police Athletic League.
Johnson's connection with the community showed that success isn't measured by how far you can get away from working-class people, but rather what you can do to inspire them. Johnson also inspired many other young boxers from Atlantic City, who, I believe, will also go on to be champs.
Johnson's dedication and determination inspired me the most. He maintained a top 10 ranking in his weight class for more than 10 years. In the time since Johnson won his championship belt, I have laughed at myself for being disappointed when a magazine rejects a pitch for a story idea.
The bitter irony of this story, however, is that Johnson is no longer here with us to appreciate the impact he's made on Atlantic City. In September Johnson passed away from injuries sustained in the ring a few days after losing his belt.
Sitting in the office of a friend watching the 25-second "coverage" of Johnson's story on ESPN I was asked, "Do you think Leavander should have been fighting or that he should have retired as champ?" My answer today is the same as it was a few months ago.
I meet so many people who are seriously unhappy with what they do for a living. Johnson was clearly talented and special. I didn't have the right then or now to say that he shouldn't have used the talent that God gave him.
I used to work in marketing at one of the casinos. I enjoyed the salary and vacation time. I also learned about how to market myself as a writer. However, I knew that God gave me a talent for communication that would never be fully developed or appreciated while in that position.
By giving up boxing to please anyone but himself, Leavander Johnson would have cheated everybody, especially himself. I don't know what he would have traded — if anything — for being able to say: "I am a world champion fighter."
The New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame recently inducted Johnson into the hall during its recent 36th annual induction dinner. NJBHOF President Henry Hascup said it best (in a press release):
"We don't want anyone forgetting what kind of fighter and what kind of person [Johnson] was ... He deserved it, and we felt it was important to recognize him right now."
The Leavander Fund has been set up to help the four young children Leavander left with his passing.
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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION, CHECKS CAN BE SENT TO:
The Leavander Fund
c/o Dibella Entertainment
Attention: Meredith Greenburg
350 Seventh Ave.
Suite 800
New York, NY 10001
Gym Update
"On Saturday, June 2, we're going to have an all-star boxing legends tribute. What we're trying to do is get together all of the boxing personalities. Whether they are boxers, managers, promoters, ring announcers, referees, you name it, we're trying to get together everybody to celebrate the contribution that they have made in making Atlantic City the boxing mecca that it is."
Just over five years ago, when I attended a rally at the new Police Athletic League building for newly crowned World Lightweight Champion Leavander Johnson, I knew in my heart this would be one of many years of celebration for Johnson, his family and the Atlantic City community.
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