Despite their size differences, lightweight Stevie Johnston and light welterweight Adrian Mora have sparred a couple of times in the past two weeks to prepare for their IBA title fights tonight.
At Thursday night’s weigh-in, the 5-foot-5 Johnston was 135 pounds while the 5-11 Mora checked in at 138 1/2 pounds. But with Johnston growing up in Denver and Mora in Thornton, their friendship has given them reason to spar and spur on the other.
“We’ve known each other for years, and have sparred many, many rounds together,” Mora said. “Hopefully we can root each other on.”
Johnston (40-4-1), the former two-time WBC lightweight champion, faces challenger Humberto Toledo (31-3-2) of Ecuador in the main event at Broomfield Event Center. Johnston beat Tyrone Harris in a major decision Jan. 26 to claim the IBA lightweight crown.
Mora (18-0-1) will fight Marc Thompson (15-1-1) of Topeka, Kan., for the light welterweight crown.
Johnston, 34, has been training in Colorado Springs since May 1 to help shake off altitude cobwebs. Toledo was scheduled to arrive Thursday from his hometown of Quito, Ecuador. Quito is about 2,800 feet above sea level, nearly 3,000 feet lower than Broomfield.
Because of that, Johnston – a patient and technical boxer who has just 18 knockouts in 45 professional bouts – expects to have an advantage in the late rounds.
“When we came here to announce the fight last month, I ran out to the car to get the belt to show some people, and I was like, ‘Man, I’m (tired),”‘ Johnston said. “Living down in Florida and then coming here, I could feel it right away.”
Since returning to Colorado, Johnston has gone from 141 to 134 pounds and lost any hint of altitude adjustments.
“I’m walking around at 134 and just ready to go, man,” Johnston said. “I’m acclimated again, training has been good and I’m ready to fight.”
The six-bout card also includes up-and-coming heavyweight Cedric Boswell (23-1, 18 KOs) and undefeated welterweight Salvador Camacho (14-0, 13 KOs).
Promoters expect the main event to begin at about 9 p.m.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
Rocky Mountain Mayhem
What: Two IBA 12-round championship bouts and four undercard matches
Where: Broomfield Event Center
When: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $25 to $100
Information: 303-410-8497 or www.broomfieldeventcenter.com
Main event: Stevie Johnston (Denver, 40-4-1, 18 knockouts) vs. Humberto Toledo (Quito, Ecuador, 31-3-2, 19 KOs), for IBA world lightweight title
Co-feature: Adrian Mora (Thornton, 18-0-1, 10 KOs) vs. Marc Thompson (Topeka, Kan., 15-1-1, 12 KOs), for IBA world light welterweight title
Heavyweight bout (10 rounds): Cedric Boswell (Atlanta, 23-1, 18 KOs) vs. Steve Pannell (Nashville, Tenn., 34-11, 28 KOs)
Welterweight bout (eight rounds): Salvador Camacho (San Antonio, 14-0, 13 KOs) vs. Rob Adamson (Ottumwa, Iowa, 9-1-1, 8 KOs)
Lightweight bout (six rounds): Jamie Sandoval (Chicago, 14-1, 12 KOs) vs. Johnnie Edwards (Jacksonville, N.C., 11-1, 7 KOs)
Lightweight bout (four rounds): Manuel Perez (Denver, 6-3, 2 KOs) vs. Richard Flores (Scottsbluff, Neb., 0-6)
