File photo shows Glen Johnson (right) as he connects with a right during the fifth round of a boxing match on May, 16, 2007 in his win over Montell Griffin at the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Florida. Johnson won by TKO in the 11th. On Saturday Johnson also scored a TKO, this time in the eighth round against Colombian Hugo Pineda. - AP
ATLANTIC CITY (CMC):
Jamaica's world-rated light heavyweight boxer, Glen Johnson, tuned up for his forthcoming world title shot with a fine eighth-round technical knockout victory over Colombian Hugo Pineda on Saturday night.
Johnson floored Pineda en route to the victory, forcing referee David Fields to stop the contest 49 seconds into the eighth round at Ballys Hotel & Casino.
Improved record
Booked to tackle unbeaten World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Chad Dawson in April, Johnson has now improved his record to 47 wins (32 knockouts) against 11 losses and two draws. Pineda dipped to 39 wins (28 knockouts) against four losses and one draw.
The solid South American was down in the seventh round and after absorbing some brutal body blows in the eighth, referee Fields terminated the contest, a support bout for the International Boxing Federation light welterweight title fight between the champion Paulie Malignaggi and Herman Ngoudjo.
'Feel fast and youthful'
Malignaggi won the 12-round bout on a unanimous decision in a tussle that was competitive until Malignaggi punished his opponent with shots in round seven. The champion remained in charge Ngoudjo finished well - and carved out 115-113, 116-113, 117-111 victory on the judges' cards. After his victory over Pineda, Johnson declared he will be ready to face Dawson on April 12 in a big clash on Showtime Television.
"I hope Chad Dawson is ready for a fight," commented Johnson, a two-time world champion and former 'Fighter of the Year'. "I feel good, I feel fast, strong and youthful. There has been a lot made of how young and fast he (Dawson) is and that he is the future of the division. I am looking forward to showing everybody that I am a world champion."