Johnson Set to Defend Title at Pond

Arthur Johnson, managed by legendary trainer Angelo Dundee, will make the first defense of his North American Boxing Federation flyweight title in tonight’s 12-round main event at the Pond.

Johnson (13-3, eight knockouts) of Minneapolis will face Mexico City’s Miguel Granados (17-4-1, seven knockouts).

Johnson, 30, won the title Aug. 26 at the Pond with a second-round knockout of Maikito Martinez. Granados, 23, was knocked out by Sammy Stewart June 3 at the Pond.

Former world junior featherweight champion Daniel Jimenez (23-5-1, 11 knockouts) of Puerto Rico is the featured fighter on the undercard, which begins at 7:15. Jimenez, who was knocked out at the Pond in March of 1995 by Marco Antonio Barrera, will fight Rodrigo Valenzuela (12-11-1, four knockouts) from San Diego in a 10-rounder. In another 10-round bout, welterweight Antonio Margarito (10-3, six knockouts) of Chula Vista faces Juan Soberanes (41-14-2, 31 knockouts) from Tijuana.