Anthony Johns suffers first loss in Argentina

Flyweight prospect Anthony Johns suffered the first defeat of his pro career on Saturday, September 9, losing a majority decision to hometown fighter Misael Graffioli in Argentina.

The 30-year-old from Newark was judged even on one card in the six-round bout at 57-57, but that score was overruled by the two other local judges, who scored the fight 60-54 and 58-56, both in favor of Graffioli (5-1) of Santa Fe, Argentina. Johns (6-1, 5 KOs), a 2019 National Golden Gloves champion, was fighting for the first time in nearly six months. He voiced his disappointment on social media with the “extreme learning experience” but vowed to bounce back.

“I came to unfamiliar territory and unfortunately didn’t get the decision today,” Johns wrote on Instagram.

“Just know this isn’t the end, I have so much to prove now.”

The show, which took place at Casino Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was supposed to feature another New Jersey prospect as well.

Lightweight Danny Gonzalez (1-0, 1 KO) of Iselin, N.J. had been scheduled to have his second professional fight on the card as well, but was left without a dance partner after his original opponent pulled out at the weigh-in. A replacement opponent failed his medicals, meaning Gonzalez and trainer/manager Percy Gayanilo were left to watch the fights as spectators.

Gonzalez, 28, trains out of Park Elite Boxing Academy in Roselle Park, N.J. He made his pro debut in July with a second round stoppage of Michael Ruiz, just months after winning the 147-pound N.J. Golden Gloves open class title.