Fresh off a 10-round unanimous victory in his last fight, newly crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental of Americas Middleweight Champion Taureano "Reno" Johnson, is off to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic for his next fight this weekend. He is scheduled to fight Marvin Bendicott this Saturday, but his title apparently won't be on the line. Johnson's opponent is said to have an impressive 28-1 win/loss record. Despite a lack of preparation, time and knowledge of his opponent, Johnson said that he is ready to go.
"I'm just looking forward to going to the Dominican Republic and taking care of business just as I've done all throughout my professional career," said Johnson. He has a professional win/loss record of 15-1, but has never had the opportunity to perform in front of his fellow Bahamians. That is expected to change when he fights in The Bahamas for the first time next year.
"I am the WBC Continental of Americas Champion, yet I still don't have a Bahamas championship title or fought in a Bahamas championship fight, so it's a little contradictory for myself. The irony is that I am overwhelmed that I'm yet to fight before my home people. Whoever my opponent might be, my promoter Gary Sure is working diligently and hard to ensure that I get a fight here in The Bahamas," Johnson said.
"At this moment, we are just looking for the support and help from the Ministry of Tourism and The Bahamas government. I believe with everybody on board, we can make this happen. This can be one of the biggest and grandest fights to take place since Mohammad Ali fought in The Bahamas."
Johnson and Bahamian boxer Jermaine "Choo Choo" Mackey have publicly exchanged harsh words on several occasions, both stating that they would like to fight each other, but it is not confirmed that he will be taking on Mackey any time soon.
Johnson looked sharp in his last victory, defeating 28-year-old Mike Gavronski at the Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Washington, on July 11. In that match, he as able to outbox his opponent even though he battled mild dehydration, and came away with the vacant WBC Continental of Americas title.
The only loss of Johnson's career came on April 4 this year, in a controversial 10-round fight against Brooklyn native Curtis Stevens at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Johnson lost the fight via Technical Knockout (TKO). He appeared to be in control of the fight throughout the early rounds, but a late surge by Stevens caused the referee to stop the fight in his favor.

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