Anthony Johns ready to seize his moment at Prudential Center
Photo by David Algranati/TheFightPhotos
Anthony “Big Back” Johns has spent years grinding through the sport without the backing of a major promoter. Now the Newark native will finally have the opportunity to enter the world rankings when he faces Mexico’s Angel Geovanny Meza Morales in a 10-round junior bantamweight bout for the vacant IBF North American title on Saturday at Prudential Center.
For Johns (11-1, 6 KOs), this opportunity for a regional belt represents more than just another fight.
“Fighting for this belt, honestly, it’s been a long road, long journey to get here,” said Johns, 32. “Being independent, this road has been long. It finally feels like it’s my time. It’s my time to shine. It’s the perfect opponent to show my skills, to show my ability. I just feel like everything’s falling in line, and God’s timing has been perfect.
“It’s showtime. It’s time to get these rankings and let the fucking world know who I am.”
Johns knows he won’t be facing an opponent coming simply to collect a paycheck. Meza Morales (11-4-3, 7 KOs) of Ensenada, Mexico will be making his fourth appearance in the United States and looking for his first win abroad. His previous fights in the U.S. have all been decision losses to fighters with one or no losses, including Daniel Barrera, Andy Dominguez and Abraham Perez.
“I’m expecting this guy to come to fight, to come to win. He’s from Mexico. He’s not a fighter that’s Mexican that lives here, he’s from Mexico, so he’s coming here to try to prove a point,” said Johns.
“He’s also a fighter who has never been stopped, so I plan to put that pressure. Just as much pressure as he thinks he’s bringing, I’m bringing.”
To prepare for that challenge, Johns has sparred extensively at Park Elite Boxing Academy in Roselle Park, the primary gym in the state for fighters at that weight. His main sparring partners have been flyweight contender Angelino Cordova plus Tyrone Arzeno. Joining his dad, Anthony Williams, in the corner will be Park Elite’s Percy Gayanilo.
“I had a strong training camp with guys that have that same Mexican style. Angelino Cordova pushed me, Tyrone Arzeno pushed me. I couldn’t have had no better training camp than those two guys,” said Johns.
It isn’t by accident that Johns finds himself following his dreams in the boxing ring. His father was one of the state’s best amateurs of the 90s, earning silver at the 1998 National Golden Gloves and being inducted into the New Jersey Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame this year. His mother, though not a boxer, was as tough as they come as well, and many others in his family were in the sport.
Though Johns first followed his father into the gym at age five, he didn’t begin competing until he was 19 years old. While many fighters his level have hundreds of amateur bouts by that age, Johns took a different path.
“My dad had me in the gym because he was an amateur. He never made me compete,” Johns recalled. “I used to hate going to the gym, honestly. Then I started competing when I was 19.
“People hear that and think, ‘Oh, you started late.’ But I learned the skills young. I stopped boxing during high school and started doing some other stuff, but I was still boxing in between. I just wasn’t competing. It was kind of like my little cheat code.”
That cheat code paid off in 2019, when he won the 2019 National Golden Gloves in Tennessee. Other amateur highlights include fighting current WBO flyweight champion Anthony Olascuaga plus the aforementioned unbeaten flyweight contender Perez.
Since turning professional, Johns has built his record the hard way. His lone defeat came in Argentina against Misael Ezequiel Graffioli, a majority decision against a local fighter that many observers felt could have gone his way. Rather than derail his career, the setback helped sharpen his focus.
“It’s been difficult for sure, but honestly, my last few opponents have been opponents that I needed, opponents that have been tough, opponents that have gotten me better,” said Johns, who has won five straight since. “I feel like my journey and my route is one that I needed to have.
“It hasn’t been that easy tomato-can route. It’s definitely been tough, but just staying focused, staying ready, and now I feel like my time is really coming. I’ve just got to take advantage of this.”
Few fighters on Saturday’s card will have more hometown support than Johns. Johns, who will have rapper Aisha Hall performing during his ring entrance, is one of the state’s biggest ticket-selling attractions, which is why he’ll be the co-main event for Saturday’s card, which is presented by Rodney Rice’s RDR Promotions.
A lifelong Newark resident, Johns says the connection he has built throughout the city is something he never takes for granted.
“I love my city, man,” said Johns. “A lot of support I get from my city. I grew up here since I was born. I’ve been in every part of Newark in some way, shape or form. I have friends from South Ward, North, East, West, Ironbound. I have connections all over.
“I was always good to people. No matter where I went, no matter what age I was, I was always real. It’s just the energy you put out in the world, the energy you get back. They see how real I am. They see how much work I put into this dream I’m chasing. I’m blessed and honored to get the support I do from my city.”
The support is something Johns jokes he began building long before he ever stepped into a boxing ring.
“When I was young in middle school, one of my teachers used to say I got in trouble for talking to all the kids in class,” Johns said with a laugh. “She used to tell my pops, ‘Your son is running for mayor.’
“He used to be on my ass about that. We joke about it now. All that running for mayor paid off.”