Bahamian Boxer Considering Options

Floyd Seymour [far left], Toureano Johnson and Erwin Johnson [far right] stopped by to chat with Deputy Chief of Mission Rhoda Jackson at the Embassy of The Bahamas in Washington DC last week. Johnson, a 2008 Olympian, was in town for training and advice from Seymour, himself an Olympic qualifier in 1991.

Bahamian Olympic boxer Toureano Johnson stopped by the Embassy of The Bahamas in Washington, D.C., to say “hello” while he was in town last week to get some training and some advice.

With Johnson were his father Erwin, and Floyd Seymour, who was himself among the first Bahamian boxers to qualify at the Olympic level – in 1991 – and who is talking with the younger fighter about his future.

Johnson did The Bahamas proud in Beijing, winning his first two fights and making it all the way to the medal round before losing a decision to the home-town favorite Hanati Silamu. Johnson placed fifth at the Olympics, and currently holds the rank of number five amateur boxer in the world.

“I did some good work,” he said of his Beijing bouts. “To be in to that level [was the] pinnacle of my career.”

As to whether he will fight as an Olympian again in 2012, Johnson said that was “some bit of time away.” Meantime, the question continues to pop up – when will Toureano Johnson go pro?

The 25-year-old would not answer the question directly, except to admit that he is at least considering turning professional. He said instead that it was rare for fighters his age to stay amateurs for long, especially long enough to fight in two Olympics.


By: Quincy Parker
Press/Cultural Attaché
Embassy of The Bahamas