`BOOM BOOM' TO DEFEND TITLE.

Byline: Ed Schuyler Jr. Associated Press 

Tom ``Boom Boom'' Johnson is an accomplished fighter, but he's not an attraction - at least not in the United States.

Johnson's story is one often told in this era of boxing-as-show biz. It's good to have a gimmick.

Christy Martin was on the cover of a national magazine because of a bloody nose suffered in a televised bout. It put her on the talk-show trail and made her a celebrity of sorts.

Eric Esch is a rotund four-round fighter, who as ``Butterbean'' has become a boxing cult figure. He gets a steady diet of fights and TV exposure.

And then there's Johnson.

``Although I'm the featherweight champion of the world, a lot of people still don't know who I am,'' said Johnson, a 33-year-old from Detroit.

At least, he's little-enough known in the United States that next Saturday he will defend the 126-pound IBF title for the sixth time outside the country. He will fight in London against Prince Naseem Hamed, one of the most popular British boxers in years.

``I don't feel I've gotten my fair share of media attention,'' said Johnson, a pro since 1986 and a champion since 1993, with 11 defenses to his credit. ``I don't know why.''

Boom Boom does not have an exciting style, nor is he a banger. Of the 25 knockouts on his 44-2-2 record, 17 came because the fight was stopped, not because the opponent was counted out.

Whatever the reason, Johnson has learned to live with it.

``I'm just Boom Boom,'' he said. ``I'm just there to do a job.''

Johnson's trip to London will earn him by far his biggest purse. The previous high was $175,000 for outpointing Jose Badillo Dec. 9, 1995, at Stuggart, Germany.

``It's around seven digits,'' Johnson said of his purse for the London Arena bout, part of a championship triple-header co-promoted by Don King and Britain's Frank Warren. Johnson is managed by Debbie King, Don's daughter.

Hamed, the WBO featherweight champion with 22 knockouts in his 24-0 record, is favored to make Johnson an ex-champion and get some U.S. exposure. Showtime will provide same-day coverage in the United States.

``If it just so happens I don't get the nod (win), don't write me off,'' Johnson said. ``Tom Johnson will be back.''

It's for certain he means what he says, because a lesser man would have found an easier way to make a buck by now.

On Dec. 14, 1985, following a top amateur career and about 10 months before he turned pro, a van ran into the back of the car in which Johnson was riding. He suffered a bruised muscle behind the left knee and lost the vision in his right eye for about two months.