As Mosley Goes for the Money, Johnston Still Waiting for Chance

Stevie Johnston finds himself where Shane Mosley was a year ago.

“Waiting on a big pay day,” Johnston said.

The difference for the 5-foot-5 Johnston is that he’s a true lightweight, incapable of moving beyond the division to land the major showdown that can propel the 27-year-old from Denver into the best pound-for-pound argument.

“I just have to wait for my turn,” said Johnston, the World Boxing Council lightweight champion.

Until then, Johnston (30-1, 15 knockouts) occupies his time with bouts like today’s, the fifth defense of his belt against little-known former Mexican featherweight champion Jose Luis Castillo (40-4, 37 KOs).

The main event of a five-bout card that begins at noon will take place at the Bicycle Club in Bell Gardens. The card also includes the professional debuts of Fontana junior lightweight Marshall Martinez and La Puente featherweight Steven Luevano.

Johnston, three months removed from a second-round knockout of Julio Alvarez, is hoping the national television attention will boost his exposure. He’s receptive to a unification bout against either World Boxing Assn. champion Gilbert Serrano or International Boxing Federation belt-holder Paul Spadafora and craves the idea of WBC super featherweight champion Floyd Mayweather stepping up in weight.

Before Mosley surrendered his IBF lightweight title for the riches of the welterweight division, Johnston envisioned Mosley as his looming gold mine. Mosley fights Oscar De La Hoya tonight at Staples Center.

“That was my money fight, but I can’t kick [Mosley] for going after his,” Johnston said. “I like to fight, though. Other boxers aren’t my motivation, though. Fighting itself is my motivation.”

Castillo is best known for sparring with Julio Cesar Chavez, so it was no wonder that a Top Rank Inc. spokesman introduced the card as “this weekend’s junior varsity event.”