Johnson

HOLLYWOOD, Florida (AP):

GLEN JOHNSON stopped Montell Griffin in the 11th round of a title-fight eliminator between former light-heavyweight cham-pions on Wednesday night.

Johnson, a Jamaican now living in Miami, pressured Griffin throughout the scheduled 12-round bout at the Hard Rock Live Arena.

A weary Griffin couldn't withstand Johnson's flurry of shots to the head and body in the 11th.

With his fighter unable to defend himself from Johnson's attack, Griffin's trainer, Tim Griffin, stepped up on the corner apron and instructed referee Jorge Alonso to stop the bout at 2:38 of the round.

Mandatory challenger

The victory made Johnson (45-11-2, 30 KOs) the mandatory challenger to the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title held by Clinton Woods.

Johnson beat Woods for the IBF belt in 2004, but lost a rematch as a challenger in September, 2006.

Johnson began the fight trying to establish a lead left jab, but Griffin (30-7) landed the first effective shot with a left hook to the head.

Johnson eventually landed rights to Griffin's head and also scored with the left jab to the head and body.