Unforgivable Blackness

[Kid McCoy]

I recently watched this documentary about Jack Johnson. It was 3.5 hours but I was enthralled the entire film. Two things I didnt know was that Dempsey wouldn't give him a shot around 1920 after he was released from prison for his alleged violation of the Mann Act. The other was that he offered his services to Joe Louis before the first Schmelling fight and was declined then went straight to the papers declaring how Schmelling would defeat Joe Louis. Anyways if you have net flix definitely watch this doc.

What reason would Dempsey have to give Johnson a shot in 1920? And Johnson was convicted of violating the Mann Act because he did violate it. Between pimping whores out of his Chicago restaurant, providing his ex-wife with the funds to set up her own brothel and frequently taking ladies of the night across state lines, I'd say he was just the type of person the law was aimed at.

[Canelo Phresh]

What reason would Dempsey have to give Johnson a shot in 1920? And Johnson was convicted of violating the Mann Act because he did violate it. Between pimping whores out of his Chicago restaurant, providing his ex-wife with the funds to set up her own brothel and frequently taking ladies of the night across state lines, I'd say he was just the type of person the law was aimed at.

because even in 1920 johnson beats dempsey and even if your wives a whore shes still your wife and mann act charge was pure racism of the day nothing more.

[Scott9945]

because even in 1920 johnson beats dempsey and even if your wives a whore shes still your wife and mann act charge was pure racism of the day nothing more.

So a 42 y/o Johnson beats Dempsey in 1920? Really?

[Canelo Phresh]

So a 42 y/o Johnson beats Dempsey in 1920? Really?

if hes in shape i bet he would.

[Scott9945]

if hes in shape i bet he would.

The quality of Johnson's opposition was so much lower than Dempsey it isn't even funny. By that point Johnson was almost a carnival attraction fighting in Mexico and Spain.

[Canelo Phresh]

The quality of Johnson's opposition was so much lower than Dempsey it isn't even funny. By that point Johnson was almost a carnival attraction fighting in Mexico and Spain.

i think if he got in shape he could. who do you think wins prime for prime?

[Scott9945]

i think if he got in shape he could. who do you think wins prime for prime?

Prime for prime is an entirely different proposition. I'd probably pick Johnson. If I made an all time list I'd have Johnson right behind Louis and Ali. He had a brilliant boxing mind. I just can't see him even being competitive with Dempsey in 1920.

[Steak]

Jack Johnson is one of the most overrated HW champions in the history of the sport.

Johnson wasnt hated only because he was black, he was hated because he acted like a jackass most the time. If he acted like Joe Louis than people might have actually accepted him.

the fighters that were truly was predjudiced against were Langford and Wills. At least Johnson got a title shot, but yet he wouldnt even turn around and do the same for Langford.

Wills beat a large amount of the fighters that Johnson beat, and yet people that rate Johnson top 5 wont even mention Wills.

[Scott9945]

Jack Johnson is one of the most overrated HW champions in the history of the sport.

Johnson wasnt hated only because he was black, he was hated because he acted like a jackass most the time. If he acted like Joe Louis than people might have actually accepted him.

the fighters that were truly was predjudiced against were Langford and Wills. At least Johnson got a title shot, but yet he wouldnt even turn around and do the same for Langford.

Wills beat a large amount of the fighters that Johnson beat, and yet people that rate Johnson top 5 wont even mention Wills.

Most of the common fighters fought Johnson first. Nat Fleischer saw all the top heavyweights of that era. He rated Johnson #1 but Wills wasn't in his top 10. No doubt that Johnson was an ******, but that in itself wouldn;t make him overrated.

[Steak]

what did Johnson do? As a champion, who did he beat? Drawing and getting knocked down by Middleweights? fighting weak competition like Kaufman and Flynn? Or maybe it was him winning the title against a natural light heavyweight?

He beat McVea and Jeanette when they were young and green. Hell, McVea was still a teenager at best when Johnson beat him, and Jeanette barely had a winning record. when McVea and Jeanette actually started getting good during Johnson's title reign, he never let them fight for the title.

The only version of Langford Johnson beat was a version that didnt even weigh over 160lbs. When Langford became a true Heavyweight, Johnson, again, didnt give him a title shot.

that and Im also not particularly impressed even by the video of him.