At what point in his career did Jack Johnson use clinching as a primary tactic?

At what point in his career did Jack Johnson use clinching as a primary tactic?

I have never seen this topic discussed. I have guess based on a theory, but if someone knows for sure, speak up. My guess is after his loss to Marvin Hart.

 

Much depends on which paper you read. Adam Pollack did a lot of research on the fight, and he thinks Hart deserved the nod. In addition Johnson's own corner pleaded with him to pick up the pace in the 2nd half of the fight, yet he did not.

We have had a few threads Johnson vs. Hart. This topic is new ground. My best guess is Johnson who was a bright guy, figured out his chin and lack of punch output isn't always going to win it for him, so he built a new form of defense to limit his opponents offense.

The clinching worked for Johnson vs. smaller or gassed older opponents, but he did not use much vs. Moran or Willard, as one was nearly his size, and the other was much bigger.

 

Yes. Johnson was sharp as a tack. He spoke multiple languages. He was also a musician, and successful business man. If he was around today, he might have been an actor.

I think Johnson knows his boxing, and shows it in print when asked for his opinion. Right or wrong, he backs it up with thought. But that is not what this thread is about!

 

Are you so sure? There might be enough newspaper coverage in his matches to answer this. All one would have to do is scan trough them to see at which point in time Johnson did a lot of clinching and holding.

Johnson himself said he learned how to use the uppercut after losing to Griffin, so its unlikely he clinched, held and uppercuted guys pre 1901!

If there was no film on Ali pre 1976, some might say he started clinching later in his career. But the truth is he adopted this tactic because he needed it in the second fight with Frazier.

I think its a topic worth exploring. Maybe Adam knows.