Alexander “The Great” Johnson (16-2, 7 KOs) will replace Doudou Ngumbu as the opponent for Artur Beterbiev (8-0, 8 KOs) on the Friday, June 12 edition of Premier Boxing Champions on Spike event taking place at UIC Pavilion in Chicago with coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
This fight precedes the evening’s headlining bout that features Cuban boxing sensation Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (20-2-2, 12 KOs) taking on the veteran Delvin Rodriguez (28-7-4, 16 KOs). Doors at UIC Pavilion open at 5 p.m. CT with the first fight set for 5:30 p.m. CT.
Having floored every opponent he’s faced professionally, the now 30-year-old former amateur standout Beterbiev will be seeking to keep his knockout streak alive in Chicago. Having notched impressive wins over Tavoris Cloud in 2014 and Gabriel Campillo earlier this year, the heavy-fisted Russian is ready to pass another tough test with flying colors on June 12.
A pro since 2007, Johnson has been a steady force in the light heavyweight division, especially in the mid-Atlantic region. The fighter out of Oxon Hill, Maryland won the first 12 fights of his professional career, including a victory over the previously unbeaten Farah Ennis. The 33-year-old is coming off of a first round TKO over Henry Buchanan in Sept. 2014 and is looking to follow that up with another explosive performance on June 12.
