Born in Leeds, England, Johanneson began his career in the United States, for coach John Durkin fighting a variety of journeyman-level competition with two exceptions; He lost a split decision to Koba Gogoladze in 2003, and ended Harold Grey's career with a TKO in the 5th of 8.
Johanneson began fighting out of England less than a year later, beginning the British phase of his career by TKO'ing Carl Greaves in 3 rounds at Wembley Stadium for the World Boxing Foundation (WBFo) super featherweight title.[3]
In 2006, he beat Billy Corcoran to win the British super featherweight title.[4]
On Friday 13 July 2007 Johanneson lost to Leva Kirakosayan in a fight for Kirakosayan's European (EBU) Super-Featherweight title.[3] Johanneson returned to winning ways with a 6th round stoppage win over Michael Gomez in a fight for his British Title. On Saturday 8 March Carl lost his British Title to Kevin Mitchell in a 9th-round TKO.[3]
Johanneson returned to the ring in 2010 and scored routine six round points wins over Youssef Al Hamidi, Arek Malek, and George Watson.[3] On 5 March 2011 he fought for the British title once more, losing to Gary Sykes at the Huddersfield Sports Centre.[5]
In September 2012 he faced Martin Gethin for the vacant IBF International lightweight title, Gethin stopping him in the eleventh round.[6] His final fight was a points defeat to Craig Woodruff three months later.[7]