By Edward Chaykovsky

If former champion Glen Johnson (54-19-2) is smart, he will retire from the sport. Thei last Saturday night at the Grand Hôtel de Kinshasa in Kinshasa, Congo - Johnsonw as stopped for only the second time in his career. Cruiserweight banger Ilinga "Junior" Makabu (17-1, 16KOs) stopped him in the ninth round to pick up the vacant WBC International cruiserweight championship.

Johnson, 45-years-old, has not been stopped since a 1997 defeat at the hands of Bernard Hopkins. Johnson appeared to retire after losing four fights in a row from 2011 to 2012. He then came back in 2013 to rack up three wins against overmatched opponents.

Earlier this year in Monaco, Makabu was scheduled to face Nathan Cleverly, who withdrew from the contest. Makabu instead faced Ruben Angel Mino (then 20-0) and knocked out the replacement in two rounds.