On March 27, 1999, a 32-year-old Johnny Nelson (31-12-1, 22 KOs) got a shot at the WBO cruiserweight title held by 34-year-old fellow British boxer Carl Thompson (24-4, 17 KOs).
Nelson came in to the fight on a 6-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 8 months and 9 days. Thompson was on a 6-fight win streak with a 60% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 8 months and 9 days.
Johnny Nelson stopped the champion via TKO in the 5th round of the 12-round world-title fight, winning the first world title of his career, and is crowned the new WBO cruiserweight champion. Nelson improves his record to 32-12-1 (23 KOs), while Thompson adds a loss to his record at 24-5.
On October 7, 2000, the 33-year-old WBO cruiserweight world champion, Johnny Nelson (37-12-1, 26 KOs), faced Adam Watt, in a title defense fight.
Nelson came in to the fight on a 12-fight win streak with a 52% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 29 days.
Johnny Nelson stopped Adam Watt via TKO in the 5th round of the 12-round world-title fight, and successfully defended his WBO cruiserweight title. Nelson improves his record to 38-12-1 (27 KOs)
On September 4, 2004, the 37-year-old WBO cruiserweight world champion, Johnny Nelson (43-12-2, 28 KOs), faced Rüdiger May, in a title defense fight.
Nelson came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 49% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 9 months and 20 days.
Johnny Nelson stopped Rüdiger May via TKO in the 7th round of the 12-round world-title fight, and successfully defended his WBO cruiserweight title. Nelson improves his record to 44-12-2 (29 KOs)
On April 8, 2000, the 33-year-old WBO cruiserweight world champion, Johnny Nelson (36-12-1, 25 KOs), faced Pietro Aurino, in a title defense fight.
Nelson came in to the fight on a 11-fight win streak with a 51% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 2 days.
Johnny Nelson stopped Pietro Aurino via TKO in the 7th round of the 12-round world-title fight, and successfully defended his WBO cruiserweight title. Nelson improves his record to 37-12-1 (26 KOs)
On November 6, 1999, the 32-year-old WBO cruiserweight world champion, Johnny Nelson (35-12-1, 24 KOs), faced Christophe Girard, in a title defense fight.
Nelson came in to the fight on a 10-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 19 days.
Johnny Nelson stopped Christophe Girard via KO in the 4th round of the 12-round world-title fight, and successfully defended his WBO cruiserweight title. Nelson improves his record to 36-12-1 (25 KOs)
On August 7, 1999, the 32-year-old WBO cruiserweight world champion, Johnny Nelson (33-12-1, 23 KOs), faced Willard Lewis, in a title defense fight.
Nelson came in to the fight on a 8-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 23 days.
The challenger refused to continue the fight in the 4th round, and Johnny Nelson is crowned the new cruiserweight world champion. Nelson improves his record to 34-12-1 (24 KOs)
On April 6, 2002, the 35-year-old WBO cruiserweight world champion, Johnny Nelson (41-12-1, 27 KOs), faced Ezra Sellers, in a title defense fight.
Nelson came in to the fight on a 16-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 13 days.
Johnny Nelson stopped Ezra Sellers via KO in the 8th round of the 12-round world-title fight, and successfully defended his WBO cruiserweight title. Nelson improves his record to 42-12-1 (28 KOs)
On July 21, 2001, the 34-year-old WBO cruiserweight world champion, Johnny Nelson (39-12-1, 27 KOs), faced Marcelo Domínguez, in a title defense fight.
Nelson came in to the fight on a 14-fight win streak with a 51% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 24 days.
Johnny Nelson defeated Marcelo Domínguez via unanimous decision and successfully defended his WBO cruiserweight title. Nelson improves his record to 40-12-1
On January 27, 2001, the 34-year-old WBO cruiserweight world champion, Johnny Nelson (38-12-1, 27 KOs), faced George Arias, in a title defense fight.
Nelson came in to the fight on a 13-fight win streak with a 52% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 20 days.
Johnny Nelson defeated George Arias via unanimous decision and successfully defended his WBO cruiserweight title. Nelson improves his record to 39-12-1
On May 15, 1999, the 32-year-old WBO cruiserweight world champion, Johnny Nelson (32-12-1, 23 KOs), faced Bruce Scott, in a title defense fight.
Nelson came in to the fight on a 7-fight win streak with a 51% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 18 days.
Johnny Nelson defeated Bruce Scott via unanimous decision and successfully defended his WBO cruiserweight title. Nelson improves his record to 33-12-1