Delante “Tiger” Johnson is fresh off a run to the quarterfinals of the 2021 Olympic games. The Games were to take place in the summer of 2020. But Delonte Johnson had to wait, along with his Olympic teammates, an additional year due to Covid concerns.
Johnson is now anxious to show his wares as a professional. The Olympian will get that chance tomorrow night when he makes his pro debut on the Terence Crawford-Shawn Porter undercard in Las Vegas.
Delonte Johnson will face Antonius Grable in a four-round boxing match. Grable comes into the ring with a 3-1-1 professional boxing record.
Johnson is excited to introduce himself to professional boxing fans at one of the most anticipated boxing events of 2021. “I didn’t think I would be able to get on this card,” the 23-year-old Cleveland native explains. “I got a blessing.”
Delonte Johnson is proud of his Olympic showing even though he did not come home with a medal. He lost to Cuban Roniel Iglesias in a fight that would have placed him in medal contention. Iglesias went on to win the gold medal.
Delonte Johnson Following His Dream
Johnson says he dreamed about making the Olympic team ever since watching another Cleveland native, Raynell Williams, perform on the highest level attainable to an amateur in 2008. He dedicates the accomplishment to his late trainer Clint Martin. The trainer nurtured the boxing careers of both Johnson and Williams from youth.
“A lot of people didn’t think I would make it to the Olympics,” Johnson explains. “I kept my promise to Coach that I would be his next Olympian.”
Delante Johnson finished a storied amateur career with 188 wins against 17 defeats. Prenice Brewer and Renard Safo are currently training the young prospect. Johnson is anxious to show he can enjoy the same success as a professional he did as an amateur. The journey for Johnson begins on November 20.