Imagine witnessing a fighter who was once known more for skill than sheer force completely shatter that perception in the ring – that's the electrifying essence of Delante Johnson's stunning victory over Nicklaus Flaz last Friday. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this the dawn of a new knockout king in welterweight boxing, or just a timely eruption against a vulnerable opponent? Stick around as we dive into the details of this fourth-round thriller, and you might just find yourself questioning everything you thought about Johnson's potential.
Delante 'Tiger' Johnson, a boxer with an impressive amateur background but not renowned for his stoppage power, flipped the script in spectacular fashion. Facing off against rising welterweight prospect Nicklaus Flaz at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida, Johnson delivered a breathtaking fourth-round knockout that stopped the clock at exactly 3 minutes into the round.
Speaking of exciting matchups, let's not forget the buzz building around Vergil Ortiz Jr.'s clash with Erickson Lubin – one of the year's most talked-about bouts. In our latest BoxingScene Today episode, we break down what's on the line and even speculate if Boots Ennis could be the next big name in the mix. Scheduled for Wednesday, November 5, 2025, this fight promises to captivate fans worldwide. You can catch the full preview here: https://www.boxingscene.com/talk-shows/vergil-ortiz-jr-vs-erickson-lubin-whats-at-stake-and-could-boots-ennis-be-next?spg=pr&spl=b.
Johnson, boasting a flawless 17-0 record with 8 knockouts, reflected on his journey afterward. 'I tried to tell y’all. I’ve been having some tough fights. I didn’t really get a chance to showcase my power – I didn’t really have a lot of knockouts. But ask any of those opponents that I had that I didn’t knock out, they’ll tell you I got power,' he shared. At 27 years old, Johnson's resume is dotted with accolades, including a gold medal from the 2016 Youth World Championships and representing the US at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. His professional career has been marked by disciplined boxing, but until now, the fireworks of quick knockouts had been lacking.
The fight against Flaz started off with Johnson playing it smart, establishing his jab – that's the straight punch thrown with the lead hand to keep distance and set up other shots – and sizing up his opponent. Johnson seemed just a tad faster, testing Flaz against top-tier competition.
In the second round, the action heated up as Flaz closed in, targeting Johnson's body with some solid hits. A sharp right hand landed while Johnson was against the ropes, drawing a smile from Flaz, who ducked under punches to add more body shots, showcasing his ability to counter effectively – meaning he waited for openings to strike back with precision.
The third round saw Flaz building momentum, ducking and countering more, especially to the body. Johnson fired back with his own hard right to the midsection, but Flaz was racking up points and getting cozy in close quarters. Johnson gestured for Flaz to come closer, and Flaz did, pushing his edge whenever Johnson was backed against the ropes.
And this is the part most people miss – the turning point that flipped the script. Out of nowhere, Johnson unleashed a massive right hand to Flaz's chin, flooring him in a surprise that seemed to catch even Flaz off guard. After some tangled legs with referee Michael de Jesus, Flaz rose shakily but made it to his corner as the round ended.
The fourth round became a relentless pursuit. Johnson stormed in early, aiming for a finishing blow while Flaz was unsteady. When that didn't land immediately, Johnson wisely pulled back, strategizing for a better angle. Flaz absorbed a few head punches, then Johnson dug in with body shots. Johnson's jabs weren't scoring big, but they kept snapping Flaz's head back defensively, limiting his counterattacks. With Flaz clutching Johnson's left hand after a stinging right, Johnson powered through with an overhand right – a looping punch from above – straight to Flaz's face.
Flaz held on despite more rights from Johnson. As they separated briefly, Flaz wobbled, hinting that the end was near. And it was: Flaz's defenses crumbled. Johnson missed a jab with about 30 seconds left, but Flaz didn't retreat far enough. Johnson followed with a right that switched off Flaz's lights. Flaz swung instinctively but went down fully.
Johnson set up with a quick jab, then drove in with raw power, whipping Flaz's head aside. When Flaz spun back, he lunged forward but lost his balance completely, crashing down. He scrambled up fast, but it was ill-advised; he reeled away from the ref, stumbled into the corner, and swayed along the ropes until de Jesus stopped it wisely.
Flaz, now 15-3 with 10 knockouts, isn't out of the picture as a future threat – but he'll need time to heal and sharpen his defense before facing another boxer like Johnson. On the flip side, Johnson might be eyeing a shot at the welterweight title soon.
'This is my third fight at 147 pounds. Next year is gonna be a helluva year. I’m excited,' Johnson exclaimed to BoxingScene. 'We’re taking over, man – I put 147 on notice.'
Now, here's a thought-provoking question for you boxing enthusiasts: Do you think Johnson's power display changes the welterweight landscape forever, or is it just a fluke against an off-day Flaz? And what about that controversial stoppage – was the ref too quick to call it, or spot-on? Share your takes in the comments – agreement or disagreement, we're all ears!
