What In Your Opinion Is Jack Johnson's Best Win?

[Southpaw Great]

And give reason behind your answer!

[Jim Jeffries]

Best name, Jim Jeffries, by a long shot.

But the fact that Jeffries hadn't fought in 6 years disqualifies it.

I'm not sure, Bob Fitzsimmons was 44 years old, guys like Joe Jeanette and Sam McVey were very green.

Sam Langford maybe?

[Southpaw Great]

Best name, Jim Jeffries, by a long shot.

But the fact that Jeffries hadn't fought in 6 years disqualifies it.

I'm not sure, Bob Fitzsimmons was 44 years old, guys like Joe Jeanette and Sam McVey were very green.

Sam Langford maybe?

Surely the best names would be Fitz's and Langford, before Jeffries. No?

[Rushcutters Bay]

This is gonna sound ****** but I've always liked the win over Stanley Ketchel. Even though he was 4 inches shorter, 35+ pounds lighter there's something about that dramatic knockout that defined Jacks's career. It was also the pinnacle of Ketchel's career as the "Michigan Assassin."

Ketchel had quality wins over Papke and Flynn prior to the fight. And he had a close fought battle with Langford two fights after, so this proves he more than held his own with the bigger weight fighters.

[Jim Jeffries]

Surely the best names would be Fitz's and Langford, before Jeffries. No?

You mean Jeffries?

Johnson was a HW, so any wins of his I would rank where they stood at the time he fought them, as HWs.

If Wlad fights Pac, I'm not going to call that his best win.

Even Langford is questionable. He would go on to become a great HW, but at that point Johnson ducked him. Not quite as much credit for the 156 pound version that Jack fought.



Ketchel was a good win, but wasn't that supposed to be an exhibition? Can't have it both ways.

"Johnson got knocked down because it was an exhibition"

"Ketchel was a great win"

[Rushcutters Bay]

Ketchel was a good win, but wasn't that supposed to be an exhibition? Can't have it both ways.

"Johnson got knocked down because it was an exhibition"

"Ketchel was a great win"[/QUOTE]


Yea, I think its definitley likely that the fix was in on that fight, but the ending just sticks out as the most memorable of his fights for me. So I'm wrong in saying its his best, that'd probably go to a less nefarious fight like Jeanette, Jeffries, Fitzimmmons or Langford. Although the only one I think thats on film is Jeffries.

[ReadyToRumble]

I think the best name on his resume is Langford. I don't think it's his best win, though, considering Langford was outweighed by around 30 pounds and he hadn't really proven himself as a heavyweight yet.

I guess I'd have to go with Jeffries, as his greatest win. Then the Burns win at number two.

Jeffries was out of the ring for six years, but he was undefeated and was the favorite to win. He was even considered to by the greatest heavyweight of all-time by a lot of people, at that point. Despite the odds, he was out-classed and knocked out. Not only was it a big win for boxing, but it had a big impact outside of the ring, as well.

As for Burns, although he was out-weighed much like Langford was, he was the reigning heavyweight champion and had already made 10 successful title defenses. He was dominated by Johnson, much like Jeffries was. This win also made him the first black heavyweight champion, which is truly something great.

[boxing boy]

This is gonna sound ****** but I've always liked the win over Stanley Ketchel. Even though he was 4 inches shorter, 35+ pounds lighter there's something about that dramatic knockout that defined Jacks's career. It was also the pinnacle of Ketchel's career as the "Michigan Assassin."

Ketchel had quality wins over Papke and Flynn prior to the fight. And he had a close fought battle with Langford two fights after, so this proves he more than held his own with the bigger weight fighters.

You do know the story behind the Johnson-Ketchel fight?

[JAB5239]

Tommy Burns. Its the fight that broke the heavyweight championship color barrier and put Johnon on the map of all time greatness. A lot of very good fighters of color have been forgotten because they were never given the oppurtunity Johnson was afforded. Johnson will ALWAYS be remember because of it. Jmo.

[Sugarj]

I'm with Jab, it has to be Tommy Burns. One of the most underated heavyweight champions......a fast and skillful boxer who accomplished alot for a guy of his height.

Johnson's sheer dominance must have made folks wonder if Tommy was good at all..........a bit like Michael Spinks after the Tyson fight. Pity, because the guy was good!