Jack Johnson would beat Ali

[The_Demon]

I love Jack Johnson. The KKK once sent him a note saying they would kill him if he beat jim jeffrys, Johnson just said "Then go on and kill me cause imma knock that white boy out!"



1910 America WAS very different from 1973 America...

I like the story,but you still havent explained just how he would beat Ali

[Barn]

I like the story,but you still havent explained just how he would beat Ali

'Cause he whips all the whiteboys!

Wait a minute...

[Kid McCoy]

I love Jack Johnson. The KKK once sent him a note saying they would kill him if he beat jim jeffrys, Johnson just said "Then go on and kill me cause imma knock that white boy out!"



1910 America WAS very different from 1973 America...

No one disputes that Johnson was a badass but that won't win him the fight. Johnson has the tools to cause Ali problems; he has a great jab, he's a counterpuncher who would make Ali lead, not his forte, and he's smart and skilful, a type of opponent Ali didn't face very often and when he did he tended to struggle more. That said, Ali also has a great jab, he's faster than Johnson, more durable and has an unorthodox style that Johnson would have no experience of.

Overall I think they'd neutralise each other. What makes me favour Ali is pedigree. He just has a better history of overcoming tough opposition than Johnson does. If you were to name the best prime heavyweights each man beat the list would be skewed in Ali's favour. Of course it also depends on the conditions. If they fight in Jack's era of 20+ rounds, rougher conditions and tiny horsehair gloves then his chances improve.

[Ray Corso]

I think theres to much time in between these two legends to actually see them in a ring together. An early Ferrari was a very good race car but could it compete with years and years of evolution that Enzo had to improve the race car? Ali benefited from Jacks abilities and people like Conn kept the boxing alive in fight match ups. I think their extremely comparable within their era and are to blame for passing on some very bad traits too hahahaha!!! They both loved to lean straight back then lean in to fire straight shots and thats a no no for most everyone but them. It helps to have size and speed as a heavyweight and both were exceptions in the era. Both had good defense, both had enough power to wear down people.
I guess you could say they were outspoken and drew alot of attention to themselves and their beliefs. Great fighters for sure! Ray.

[Sugarj]

I think theres to much time in between these two legends to actually see them in a ring together. An early Ferrari was a very good race car but could it compete with years and years of evolution that Enzo had to improve the race car? Ali benefited from Jacks abilities and people like Conn kept the boxing alive in fight match ups. I think their extremely comparable within their era and are to blame for passing on some very bad traits too hahahaha!!! They both loved to lean straight back then lean in to fire straight shots and thats a no no for most everyone but them. It helps to have size and speed as a heavyweight and both were exceptions in the era. Both had good defense, both had enough power to wear down people.
I guess you could say they were outspoken and drew alot of attention to themselves and their beliefs. Great fighters for sure! Ray.

I've enjoyed your posts mate. Welcome to the section.

Evolution of the sport and the boxers themselves is a topic which could be debated forever. In some ways it can be seen between the eras and at the same time, it could be argued that we haven't seen much evolution since the 40s.

Ali's prime came 45 years ago, Ray Robinson's prime well over 65 years ago, Joe Louis's nearly 75 years ago. Most would pick these guys in head to head matchups with just about anyone who has laced up the gloves since.

I think that Johnson just might have looked much better in full high definition than flickervision.......in turn Ali's dancing might have looked very jerky and ungraceful in flickervision.

But I think Johnson might have been a touch better than some are giving him credit for.

[Mike Tyson77]

Jack Johnson had to fight even the crowd! All of the crowd in his bigget fights wanted to see him die! They would cheer for anyone who fought against Jack....but he kept the belt for over 7 years.....

[Canelo Phresh]

If anything Johnson generally gets over rated, Ali imo wins a decision, he's got the intelligence and tools to prevent Johnson from fighting his fight and trying too rough Ali up on the inside, if Johnson decides too fight at range he'll be up against someone superior too him at it with more range and much more speed and I don't feel Johnson's parrying would play much of a role as Ali has the speed and combinations too off set it, safe too say Johnson isn't knocking him out either.

i naturally want to agree with this but i watched unforgivable blackness a while ago. i think johnson was 6'3. very strong and obviously conditioning was superb to fight 20 rd fights. i think ali is to slick for him but i could be wrong. johnsons greatness is under rated in my opinion.

[Mike Tyson77]

i naturally want to agree with this but i watched unforgivable blackness a while ago. i think johnson was 6'3. very strong and obviously conditioning was superb to fight 20 rd fights. i think ali is to slick for him but i could be wrong. johnsons greatness is under rated in my opinion.

Jack was 6'1'', but could go 20 rounds and WIN. Make it a 45 round fight and Ali may run out of gas.

[nomadman]

There's very little footage of Johnson compared to Ali, and what little there is does not suggest what you're suggesting. You're making a massive supposition with nothing much to support it.

[Mike Tyson77]

There's very little footage of Johnson compared to Ali, and what little there is does not suggest what you're suggesting. You're making a massive supposition with nothing much to support it.

Its about guts, and Jack Johnson had it. The man was way ahead of his time, he would have given any fighter problems. And mabe he would not have beat Ali, but he was just as great as him.