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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH UNDEFEATED WAYNE JOHNSON AS HE PREPARES TO GO TO WAR APRIL 8 IN NEW JERSEY....

By Danny Serratelli

After moving from New Jersey to Massachusetts with six amateur fights only two years ago, Wayne Johnson is making his return to the Garden State with an impressive 6-0 record with 4 knockouts. The powerful puncher from Lyndhurst New Jersey will be one of the featured rising stars fighting on Friday, April 8th’s KEA boxing show at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany New Jersey.

After winning his professional debut by a unanimous decision, he went on to knock out his next four opponents, three of them in the first round. The lone fighter to make it into the second round dropped Wayne early in the 2nd round, but Wayne got up and showed the heart of a champion. He got up and fought as his opponent moved in for the kill and ended up stopping his opponent later in the same round in the "fight of the night" on the Vinny Paz-Tucker Pudwill undercard. In his last fight, he broke his hand early in the fight, and still was able to box his way to a unanimous decision.

Danny Serratelli: When did you start boxing and how did you first become involved?

Wayne Johnson: I started boxing about four years ago. I hurt my knee playing college football. I had three surgeries on my knee and was getting back in shape. I decided to box to stay in shape. Some trainers noticed me and said I had a lot of raw talent so I started boxing.

DS: Where did you play football, and what position?

WJ: I played four years of college football at the University of New Haven on a scholarship, I played outside linebacker. For High School I went to St. Mary’s High School in New Jersey. In high school I played football, wrestled, and was on the track team. I was named "Athlete of the Year" in 1995.

DS: Explain how you got your start in boxing and about your short time fighting as an amateur?

WJ: My 1st trainer was Charles Johnson. After about two months of boxing I sparred with (former Cruiserweight Champ) Imamu Mayfield. During my sparring with Imamu I broke my nose and bruised my ribs, but I didn’t go down though. Three days later, I fought in my 1st Golden Gloves fight with my injuries. My nose would bleed every night but I won four fights and went to the finals after only boxing for about three months. I had 6 amateur fights 5-1 (2 KO’s).

DS: Tell me about your transition from the amateur to professional boxing, and who guided you to make the move so quickly?

WJ: For me, turning professional was great. You use smaller gloves and no headgear. It seems to be more my style. I have had great trainers. I worked with Charles Johnson first. Then I left New Jersey and moved to Massachusetts for two years and trained with Julio Pena who was a great trainer who took me to a whole new level of boxing. I recently moved back to New Jersey and started training with Mike Rodriguez who improved my skills even more. I had to go to Jersey City because of work reasons and now have teamed up with Mike Skowronski and Sal Lessi over at Hudson County Boxing who I believe will bring me to the top.

DS: What is your professional record?

WJ: I’m 6-0, with 4 knockouts.

DS: Have you worked with any experienced guys in the gym to help you make a quick transition into a professional?

WJ: I’ve had some good sparring to help me get better. I’ve sparred with Vinny Pazienza, Omar Sheika, Scott Pemberton, Ian Gardner, Imamu Mayfield, Julio Aquino, Eric Graham, Jimmy Clancy, Mark Clancy, and Chris Tillman who are all great fighters.

DS: How much do you feel you have progressed as a fighter in this short time?

WJ: In the last two years as a pro, I have improved greatly. With every fight, you can see a dramatic increase in my game. I just keep getting better everyday.

DS: Where are you originally from?

WJ: I am originally from Lyndhurst, New Jersey. I grew up playing four sports since I was eight years old. I have many friends and fans in boxing. I attract many fans. They call themselves "The Wayniacs" and they are loud and loyal. I do it for my fans because hearing the crowd gives me that extra push I need when times get tough in the ring.

DS: Is there anyone specific that you want to fight?

WJ: It doesn’t matter who it is, I want to fight whoever is at the top.

DS: Tell us about your training?

WJ: I train twice a day. I do my running at 4:00 A.M., then I go to my construction job from 7:00 A.M.- 4:00 P.M., and then I go back to the gym aT night from about 6:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M. It’s tough and it takes a lot of dedication but if you want to be a champion, you must make sacrifices and get it done.

DS: Sounds good, I will be looking forward to your fight next Friday, and your New Jersey homecoming as a pro.

WJ: Thanks a lot Danny. I want to thank you, www.braggingrightscorner.com, www.roundcardmodels.com and www.talkingboxing.com for the support. I also want to thank all my fans in New Jersey who will pack the house to for me on Friday, as well as all the people who have supported me and continue to stick with me as I continue my rise to the top.

Wayne is one of our featured boxers.

Buy tickets to Wayne’s next fight this Friday April 8th or contact dserratelli.s@nyls.edu or call 973-931-8812 for more information.