Saturday night at Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington, Dashon “Fly Boy” Johnson (18-18-3, 4 KOs), from Escondido, California, upset up-and-coming Mike “Imagine Me” Gavronski (20-2-1, 13 KOs), fighting out of Tacoma, scoring a ninth round TKO to win the vacant WBA-NABA US super middleweight title.
It was the second meeting between the two men. They first fought in January of this year at the same venue and Gavronski won a unanimous 10-round decision by scores of 98-91, 98-91, and 95-94.
Johnson has a 9-2 record as an MMA fighter, but his record as a boxer is somewhat less impressive. Going into last night’s fight, “Fly Boy” had won only five of his last 21 fights dating back to 2012. He was, however, riding a two-fight win streak.
Gavronski, on the other hand, had only one defeat going into the rematch, a loss to 14-1 Tureano Johnson in July 2014. Assuming that numbers don’t lie, he was expected to walk away from the bout, perhaps battered and bruised, but with his hand raised in victory.
Johnson came into the fight determined to win. He was busier than in their first meeting. He was more aggressive. He controlled the action from the opening bell. “Fly Boy” also drew first blood from Gavronski from an accidental headbutt in the round one, which may or may not have put him off his game.
Gavronski connected with a solid left hook in round seven that electrified the crowd, but their electrification was short-lived.
Johnson landed a solid right in the eighth that dropped Gavronski to the canvas. He beat the count and survived the round, but he was bleeding as he unsteadily made his way to his stool. The ministrations of his corner during the one-minute rest period proved ineffective. The ringside physician called a halt to the action one second into the ninth.
Dashon Johnson had defeated Tacoma’s favorite son to win the WBA-NABA title.
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
