Meet Steve Bujaj, New York Cruiserweight Champion and Possible Future World Champion, Who Wants To Fight Glen Johnson
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent
In a Real Combat Media international interview exclusive, newly crowned New York State Cruiserweight champion Stivens ‘Superman’ Bujaj spoke of his future plans. Real Combat Media has been following the career of Bujaj for the two years in New York and New Jersey.
Originally from Albania, he is better known as Steve Bujaj to his friends. Steve scored a first round stoppage of Elvin Sanchez last month at the Millennium Theater in Bright Beach Brooklyn to win the vacant NYSAC New York State Cruiserweight title. Currently 11-0 with eight knockouts, Bujaj is ranked 56th in the world at cruiserweight on BoxRec, and is ranked 66th in the world at cruiserweight by the International Boxing Organization.
A former New York Golden Gloves Heavyweight champion in 2009 and again in 2010, Bujaj has a strong local fight fan following in the New York City area. His fans greatly celebrated his recent state title win, as Bujaj looks forward to higher level opposition later in 2014. One name Bujaj is looking at is former world light heavyweight champion Glen ‘The Road Warrior’ Johnson, who is now campaigning as a cruiserweight.
Real Combat Media: “Your camp has been discussing a fight between you and Glen Johnson later in 2014.”
Steve Bujaj: “I want to get into the ring with the top contenders. Glen Johnson is a pretty big name! He (Johnson) recently moved up to cruiserweight.”
Reader’s Note: Former World Light Heavyweight champion Glen ‘The Road Warrior’ Johnson, age 45, a Jamaican fighting out of Miami, Florida, has won his last three bouts, winning a decision over Bobby Gunn, and recording stoppages over Junior Ramos and Jaime Velasquez. Johnson’s most recent victory occurred at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island, on February 21, 2014, when he stopped Velasquez in the fourth round. Johnson’s career record is 54-18-2, with 37 knockouts.
Real Combat Media: “How many rounds would the fight with Glen Johnson be? Would you fight Johnson in your next bout, or later this year?”
Steve Bujaj: “The cruiserweight bout between me and Glen Johnson would be for 10 rounds. My corner has everything under control. Yeah, I would fight Johnson in my next bout, but probably I will fight another eight round bout first in my next bout.”
Real Combat Media: “How did it feel to win the vacant New York State Cruiserweight title and have a title belt for the first time?”
Steve Bujaj: “My first title! It felt good to win (it) in front of all of my people (fans).”
Real Combat Media: “Are you ready to fight for a world title now?”
Steve Bujaj: “I’m not sure what we (my team members and me) are going to do next. I am definitely happy to win the New York State title. I am ready to fight for a world title right now, but I will fight a couple more eight and ten rounders, and then I’m there (ready to challenge for a for a world title).”
Real Combat Media: “Who do you want to fight at the top?”
Steve Bujaj: “I want to fight Marco Huck, Yoan Pablo Hernandez, Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, Denis Lebedev, and Guillermo Jones. I think Lebedev and Jones are going to fight a rematch. I want to fight the big four, for the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organization, and International Boxing Federation world titles.”
Real Combat Media: “And don’t forget Ola Afolabi, who just fought for the International Boxing Organization world cruiserweight title, and will probably fight a unification bout with one of the major world champions later this year. He’s a big name too.”
Steve Bujaj: “Yeah. I’m looking at the guys who have the world titles.”
Real Combat Media: “Are you disappointed that your opponent last week, Elvin Sanchez, didn’t give you more of a fight? He tried to take you out, when he suddenly caved in and you dropped him and stopped him in the first round.”
Steve Bujaj: “He was good. He was trying to land a power shot, and (trying to get inside) he got caught with a left hook.”
Real Combat Media: “After your left hook, that was the end of story, and it was good night for Sanchez. Congratulations, champ! Keep us posted at Real Combat Media about your upcoming bouts and your possible bout later this year with Glen Johnson. That would be a very exciting cruiserweight fight!”
Steve Bujaj: “I will keep you posted about my career developments. Thank you.”
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