Stevie Johnston injured during training

An injury has forced former two-time World Boxing Council lightweight champion Stevie Johnston (38-3-1, 17 KOs) to pull out of his May 26 fight against Herman “Black Panther” Ngoudjo (13-0, 9 KOs) at the South Coast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

In his March 31 fifth-round TKO win against Roberto Ortega in Tampa, Johnston suffered an 11-stitch cut under his right eye, the result of an unintentional headbutt. He also suffered a hand injury.

“Stevie’s doctor advised him not to box for 60 days,” Silverhawk Boxing CEO Tim Doyle reported. “He’s disappointed, naturally, but he should be back fighting in June. We still plan on promoting the May 26th show at South Coast with a new main event.”

The Memorial Day weekend show was slated to be contested for Johnston’s IBO light welterweight title and Ngoudjo’s NABF belt.

“In my opinion,” Dr. Nicholas A. Coppola said, “Mr. Johnston should not participate in any sporting events for the next eight weeks, including boxing, due to a recent injury to his right eye and to his left hand. This patient has X-rays pending for the hand, and the eye laceration was severe.”

The southpaw Johnston, age 33, is rated No. 7 by the World Boxing Council.

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