Marvin Johnson vs Jean Marie Emebe

On September 20, 1986, Marvin Johnson first defended his WBA World Light Heavyweight Title against Jean-Marie Emebe at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. The bout, promoted by Fred Berns, Sam Glass, and Russell Peltz, featured the hometown favourite Johnson against Emebe, a determined challenger from Cameroon. Johnson, weighing in at 174½ pounds, entered the fight with a professional record of 42-5, while Emebe, at 174 pounds, boasted a solid 24-2 record.

The fight was competitive from the outset, with Johnson utilizing his southpaw stance to press the action. Emebe, known for his durability and resilience, countered with disciplined defence and well-timed punches, making the early rounds closely contested. 

As the rounds wore on, Johnson's relentless pressure began to wear down the challenger. The hometown crowd energized Johnson, who continuously advanced, throwing combinations to the head and body. Emebe, while game, started showing signs of fatigue and swelling around his eyes, which hampered his ability to counter effectively.

The turning point came in the later rounds, as Emebe's vision became increasingly compromised due to Johnson's punishment. By the 13th round, the accumulation of damage had left Emebe unable to see clearly. Referee Luis Rivera stepped in at 1:41 of the round, halting the fight to protect the challenger from further injury. 

The judges' scorecards reflected the tight nature of the bout when the end came, with Humberto Figueroa scoring it 117-114, Roberto Ramirez Sr. at 115-113, and Chuck Williams at 117-115, all favouring Johnson.

Johnson was declared the winner by technical knockout, improving his record to 43-5 and retaining his title in front of an appreciative hometown audience.