Jack Johnson skills

[RichCCFC]

How do you see them?

Admittedly I haven't seen many fights of him but to hear the likes of Ali, Holmes etc talk so highly of him and his complete dominance of his era makes me beg this question.

He looked primitive from the fights I saw but really effective with his holding and smothering.

[Ray Corso]

Outstanding skills, very fluid and a excellant counter point with movement and punches. Far ahead of his era and was a thinking fighter who could figure out a fighter quickly. He was fast and had power and had supreme confidence in his abilities. He was certainly a Master Boxer when he wanted to be but at times was not profesional in the ring.
Theres film of Jack sparring at the age of 55 (I think) he moves effortless and rolls with punches the way 95% of fighters wish they could. He did spend time with young boxers and gave some time to them. One of the most controversial people in our history. You need to remember that at that time and up to Joe Louis era the Heavyweight Champion of the World was the most important athlete and at times person in the World. We think of Babe Ruth as the most famous athlete of all times and although thats true by many during Ruths time Jack Demsey was the most popular athlete then. Baseball couldn't compare to boxing personalities then, boxing ruled! Ray.

[Barn]

He was excellent for his time but he would have to adapt for the modern era.

Strengths.
- Great at blocking, parrying and slipping single shots.

- Great on the inside.

- Excellent uppercut on the inside.

- Very good at controlling range.


Weaknesses.
- This isn't solid as I've not seen him up against one but, he has never faced a combination puncher so I don't think he would do well against them all to well. If he was in the modern era he would have to adapt to suit.

- I've always questioned Johnson's heart. He had it in him to quit and has done so.

- Size. His style on the inside relied a lot on his superior size. They did call him "The Galveston Giant" back in his heyday. However today he would have no such advantage and would be unable to throw opponents around like he used to. Putting his whole inside fighting strength in disarray.


In conclusion he was good for his time but, for the reasons outlined above, would struggle with any great fighter after Joe Louis.

[New England]

How do you see them?

Admittedly I haven't seen many fights of him but to hear the likes of Ali, Holmes etc talk so highly of him and his complete dominance of his era makes me beg this question.

He looked primitive from the fights I saw but really effective with his holding and smothering.

he was actually lightyears beyond his time

he used to catch punches

he would time clinches perfectly

he fought at a favorable distance for somebody of his height


terrific defensive specialist. lightyears beyond his peers. very much a modern style, considering how crude many of his peers were.

[Mike Tyson77]

he was actually lightyears beyond his time

he used to catch punches

he would time clinches perfectly

he fought at a favorable distance for somebody of his height


terrific defensive specialist. lightyears beyond his peers. very much a modern style, considering how crude many of his peers were.

I cant put it any better. He was such a great champ. He is no question one the baddest of all time, Ive seen I think all the the footage that exist of him, and was very impressed. He was a real hero for black people at the time who had no one they could look up. In a time when white people where so racist saying black people where inferior people.....The baddest man on the planet was a black man. And that just really pissed off all those racist losers at the time. Jack Johnson will always be a legend.

[Barn]

I cant put it any better. He was such a great champ. He is no question one the baddest of all time, Ive seen I think all the the footage that exist of him, and was very impressed. He was a real hero for black people at the time who had no one they could look up. In a time when white people where so racist saying black people where inferior people.....The baddest man on the planet was a black man. And that just really pissed off all those racist losers at the time. Jack Johnson will always be a legend.

He didn't help his own race by giving them title shots though did he?