Jack johnson

Jack Johnson was one of the bravest men I've ever read about. I have rated Johnson as my 3rd best all time heavyweight for some time now, and I'll admit that it may be because of his social importance.

Johnson had established himself as the best black heavyweight in the world, before establishing himself as the best heavyweight. I just don't know if I would consider his level of competition as good as champions from other eras.

It is strange, but my top three heavyweights are also the most socially significant in my opinion. I hope it is only coincidental. Maybe it is. I think Johnson was more significant than the other two, and I have him 3rd. I think Louis was more significant than Ali, and I have him 2nd. Ali is ranked 1st on my list.

I don't think that Louis, or Ali, are far behind in social importance. They both played great rolls in this regard. They also showed a lot of bravery themselves.

It is just that Johnson was before them. Louis and Ali lived in dangerous times for black people, but Johnson's time was even more so. The way Johnson did things his way, without hiding, was indeed brave. I think he gets a bad rap by some for further dividing the public. The public was already divided. The public needed someone, with Johnson's **** you attitude, to stand up to the masses. To let them know that he was in no way beneath anyone. I think that people needed a big wake up call from someone willing to stand up and defy their racial intolerance publically in a way never done before. That bravery set the tone for some others to believe in themselves. This let some know that they could prove that they were not inferior, and they didn't have to live as a kiss ass.

 

These are both nice posts gentleman. I to like Jack Johnson as a historical figure and great champion. Johnson certainly could have won the world's heavyweight crown much earlier had it not been for his skin. He was however, considered by many as a true heavyweight champ, reguardless of only holding the colored world title. As Joe already pointed out, he could very legitimately be criticized for the level of his competition, when being compared to greats of other eras. He at least, however fought the very best that his period had to offer, and don't think that the white politicians didn't do everthing they could to find someone to dethrone him. Johnson was a true hero, not only for African Americans, but for anyone who truly cherished great icons and significant points in history.

 

What made Louis so socially important?

 

A black champion the whites got behind and accepted too

 

Johnsons comp is very underrated, the pre-championship reign is excellent.

 

He more than any other athlete was responsible for the destruction of the colour bar in boxing and other sports.

 

Exactly!

 

Exactly:good! It's a shame he had to go out the way he did (ironically, not to far from where I live at.).

 

What seasoned true heavyweights with good records did he beat?

 

I don't know how you can beat the living **** out of Sam Langford and have a terrible resume like some people claim.

 

Not terrible, not even bad or mediocre. Johnson was a great, watershed fighter, who mercifully, thankfully changed the division.

However, beating a welterweight should not be the high point in your resume to be considered a great heavyweight.

 

Stop it buddy... You also have him in your top 10 HW of all time... That should say how could is competition was...

 

Two ways of look at it. He beat what his era offered... up to a point. He never fought Langford when Langford was near heavy, when McVea was near an accomplished pro, or even offered Jeanette for a proper title shot. That said, he still beat them all at some stage, and bagged the only version of Jeffries he could get. He stumbled with Hart and was less than overwhelming against O'Brien and Johnson. Still, he was the man for the better part of a decade.

On the other hand, what his era offered at heavyweight was slim****ingpickens... Hart, Burns, Ketchell, O'Brien, Ross, Jim Johnson, a shell of Jim Jeffries... that list does not inspire one wax profound.

Obviously, on my list I give more credit to the first perspective than the second. But if someone is going to say his resume stacks up well against later heavyweight eras, yes, I will bristle.

 

There has never been a fighter, ever, that endured what Jack Johnson endured ... it is so common to hear so many rip him but his story is unique ... it is a marvel that he was never assassinated .. people forget that Jack JOhnson was the son of a former slave ... it is truly astonishing ...