Jack Johnson backed out of signed contract to rematch Langford

[GhostofDempsey]

I've been trying to look more into this because I wanted to know why they didn't sue Jack Johnson for breach of contract. Do you have any sources with more information?

From what I can tell so far, this was about an agreement made before JJohnson became champion. Is that right....?


I just realized the amounts. He signed the contract for 1000 pounds and backed out because he wanted 6000 pounds????


Good grief. 1000 pounds is $5000 at that time. His price was always $30,000, and that's apparently exactly what 6000 pounds was.

I mean if that's all this is about....? Don't get me wrong. I still believe if he signed the contract he should honor it. But I can't see too many people blaming him for refusing $5000 as champion and wanting $30,000 which other champs like Tommy Burns got when he fought him.

Johnson basically moved the goal post after winning the title. He was short on money and had been given an advance from Bettinson so that he could travel to Australia to fight Burns for the title, with an agreement to fight Langford afterwards in London. I don't know how much of an advance Bettinson gave him, but regardless, he should have given Langford his shot. Langford spent days on a ship from Boston only to get in London and told no deal. Langford being the class act that he was took it in stride.

[travestyny]

Johnson basically moved the goal post after winning the title. He was short on money and had been given an advance from Bettinson so that he could travel to Australia to fight Burns for the title, with an agreement to fight Langford afterwards in London. I don't know how much of an advance Bettinson gave him, but regardless, he should have given Langford his shot. Langford spent days on a ship from Boston only to get in London and told no deal. Langford being the class act that he was took it in stride.

I agree with you. But the money amounts listed are kinda pitiful tho. $5000 compared to $30,000 is a pretty big difference.

Do you know why they didn't sue? And can you pass along the sources? Who knows. Maybe we can find another court case.

[QueensburyRules]

I agree with you. But the money amounts listed are kinda pitiful tho. $5000 compared to $30,000 is a pretty big difference.

Do you know why they didn't sue? And can you pass along the sources? Who knows. Maybe we can find another court case.

- -Burns was a star, JJOHNSON was considered not only a stain, but a colossal bore when he fought Hart. That's when Jeff decided to retire as there was literally no rivals worth fighting.

NSC didn't sue because their agreement with JJ was most probably a gentle mans' handshake. Plus they didn't have your P4P scallywaggish international solicitor expertise...only on BS folks!

[travestyny]

- -Burns was a star, JJOHNSON was considered not only a stain, but a colossal bore when he fought Hart. That's when Jeff decided to retire as there was literally no rivals worth fighting.

NSC didn't sue because their agreement with JJ was most probably a gentle mans' handshake. Plus they didn't have your P4P scallywaggish international solicitor expertise...only on BS folks!

Well I guess they needed my expertise. lol


Thanks for the info. I'll rather get it from ghost since he actually posted something beyond "Burns was a star, JJohnson was a stain." Good job. He still should have been paid like a champ. And Langford still should have gotten his shot.

For me, if he backed out of fighting him for $5000 but agreed to fight him for around $25,000.....Eh

[QueensburyRules]

Well I guess they needed my expertise. lol


Thanks for the info. I'll rather get it from ghost since he actually posted something beyond "Burns was a star, JJohnson was a stain." Good job. He still should have been paid like a champ. And Langford still should have gotten his shot.

For me, if he backed out of fighting him for $5000 but agreed to fight him for around $25,000.....Eh

- -He was earning peanuts on the $ from what previous champs made, but at least more peanuts.

He needed 6 year retired, 300 lb Jeff to make his $, well over $100k, enough to retire on. Instead he moved to France to soon zero out that purse and the rest is history.

[Rusty Tromboni]

Johnson basically moved the goal post after winning the title. He was short on money and had been given an advance from Bettinson so that he could travel to Australia to fight Burns for the title, with an agreement to fight Langford afterwards in London. I don't know how much of an advance Bettinson gave him, but regardless, he should have given Langford his shot. Langford spent days on a ship from Boston only to get in London and told no deal. Langford being the class act that he was took it in stride.

- -Burns was a star, JJOHNSON was considered not only a stain, but a colossal bore when he fought Hart. That's when Jeff decided to retire as there was literally no rivals worth fighting.

NSC didn't sue because their agreement with JJ was most probably a gentle mans' handshake. Plus they didn't have your P4P scallywaggish international solicitor expertise...only on BS folks!

- -He was earning peanuts on the $ from what previous champs made, but at least more peanuts.

He needed 6 year retired, 300 lb Jeff to make his $, well over $100k, enough to retire on. Instead he moved to France to soon zero out that purse and the rest is history.

Beautiful posts, gentlemen

[GhostofDempsey]

I agree with you. But the money amounts listed are kinda pitiful tho. $5000 compared to $30,000 is a pretty big difference.

Do you know why they didn't sue? And can you pass along the sources? Who knows. Maybe we can find another court case.

The quotes were from the book “Sam Langford: Boxing’s Greatest Uncrowned Champion” by Clay Moyle. His source appears to be, Charles Gillespie, “When Langford Hunted Johnson,” The Ring, 1931 (month unknown)

- -Burns was a star, JJOHNSON was considered not only a stain, but a colossal bore when he fought Hart. That's when Jeff decided to retire as there was literally no rivals worth fighting.

NSC didn't sue because their agreement with JJ was most probably a gentle mans' handshake. Plus they didn't have your P4P scallywaggish international solicitor expertise...only on BS folks!

Apparently Johnson did sign an agreement, he tried to say someone else signed it but a photo of the signed agreement was posted as evidence that showed Johnson had signed it.

[ShoulderRoll]

At least Jack Johnson did fight (and beat) Langford, though. As well as Joe Jeannette and Sam McVea.

He also agreed to fight Langford a second time, in Australia. But that got derailed by the trumped up Mann Act charges against him.

[Rusty Tromboni]

The quotes were from the book “Sam Langford: Boxing’s Greatest Uncrowned Champion” by Clay Moyle. His source appears to be, Charles Gillespie, “When Langford Hunted Johnson,” The Ring, 1931 (month unknown)



Apparently Johnson did sign an agreement, he tried to say someone else signed it but a photo of the signed agreement was posted as evidence that showed Johnson had signed it.

Hahahaha! That's awesome! That piece of shyte also claimed he carried Ketchel and threw the fight against Willard... all clearly untrue when viewing the footage.

[GhostofDempsey]

Hahahaha! That's awesome! That piece of shyte also claimed he carried Ketchel and threw the fight against Willard... all clearly untrue when viewing the footage.

Johnson later confessed he was lying about taking a dive against Willard. He originally sold the lie/story to Nat Fleischer including the rights, for $250.