Who did better vs Frank Moran? Jack Johnson or Jess Willard?

The film of Johnson-Moran I have available is limited in how many rounds are shown,

but the film shows Johnson dominating the action and winning easily, and frankly, looking good to me.

Hardly the stumbling old man with only "toughman" skills some are presenting him as.


*as for the original question, I would say Johnson looked better.

 

To refresh my memory I watched the Johnson v Moran fight last night .
I say fight but only the :

1st, 5th,8 th,10th,11th,13th,14th,19,and20th are available and several of those are not full rounds.

Given that fact , I see no way anyone could draw a definite conclusion as to who performed better against Moran,Willard or Johnson?
It is clear in the Johnson fight that the champion is controlling the action ,such as it is.
Moran appears very tentative, even frightened , landing virtually nothing,in the first round after missing a swing he attempts to backhand Johnson but even that fails to make contact .
As the fight progresses finding himself unable to land effectively to the body due to Johnson's smothering tactics, Moran tries a series of rabbit punches , but as Johnson is clinching him he is unable to get any steam on these shots.Johnson is meanwhile having success with quick jabs at mid range and uppercuts inside.
By the middle rounds Moran's face is bleeding ,and in the 10th his nose is bloody and an eye is flowing claret from a punch in a clinch . Johnson is never in any discomfort, in fact unusually, it is often he who is going forward initiating the action.
So seldom is Moran able to land cleanly on Johnson that when he does succeed Johnson steps back and sarcastically applauds him. From the abbreviated footage available Johnson appears a comfortable winner.
I am not aware that there is a complete version of the fight ,or even as much two thirds of it available to view,so how anyone could give a confident answer to the original question posed is quite beyond me?

I've likewise never seen a full version of the Willard v Moran fight has any one on this forum? If the answer is no, then how could anyone be reasonably expected to answer the question?
I would make the observation that Moran lost 4 of his next 5 fights after Willard ,only beating Tom Cowler, a previous victim in that time line, in contrast Moran's 4 fights after Johnson were all stoppage victories.Clearly he was in better form when he faced Johnson than when he met Willard.
Also clearly Willard was nearer his prime as a fighter than was the 36years old Johnson,whose torso is laden with a roll of suet around the waist and buttocks. As two excellent posters have stated this is an agenda driven post that has backfired rather badly on the O P.
Klompton with his usual thoroughness has produced seven first hand accounts of the Johnson v Moran fight, all of them totally refute the idea that it was in anyway a close fight.
I look foward to counter primary reports stating the opposite, but I am not holding my breath waiting for them.:think

 

Personally I think that Willard did better, but I also wouldn't read too much into this, because it is primarily a stylistic issue.

When a fighter of Willard's size, is successful in imposing range on a smaller opponent, the result tends to be a complete domination.

 

The available film and the ringside reports do not show the Johnson fight was close at all.That is quite obvious to all but a biased , bigoted viewer.

You have never seen a full version of either fight have you?

Only about half of the nine rounds existing of the Johnson fight are complete.
What complete rounds of the Johnson fight do you give to Moran?
If you gave him all of them that would still be less than 25% of the entire fight:huh
"box rec report says Willard won all 10 rounds vs Moran"
NO IT DOESN'T! See below!

"Most papers gave Willard almost every round "Boxrec.

Being economical with the truth yet again.:nono

Just rewatched the Willard fight,Moran is more aggressive here and has some success with his right hand which, except for one punch which Johnson applauded , he was unable to land against Johnson.
Johnson hit Moran on the break ONCE in the 10th and was warned for it.
Moran attempted to back-hand Johnson in the first round and continually rabbit punched him, it's all on the footage. In the 8th round coming out of a clinch Moran attempts to butt Johnson reminiscent of Jim Flynn's billy- goating.

Neither Moran or Johnson were ever paid for this fight the reason being Moran's manager Dan McKetrick insisted Moran sign an exclusive contract with him and Moran refused .Moran had completed a vaudeville tour with another manager in the US and McKetrick feared he would be stolen away from him.
McKetrick hired a French attorney,Lucien Cerf and had him impound the profits from the fight.
Neither of the fighters or McKetrick was able to draw on the money ,[34,000, Johnson' s share was $14,400 ,] unless all signed a release ,Johnson and Moran were of course happy to sign but McKetrick would not sign unless Moran agreed to sign the exclusive contract that he demanded , Moran refused and there was then stale-mate.

Cerf deposited the purse in the Bank Of France,
joined the Army and was promptly killed , the bank denied having any record of the money and no one ever saw any of it.

As it' s Xmas there's no charge for the history lesson Rain Man.

By the way.
Geoffrey C Ward in," Unbelievable Blackness "states,
"Johnson was a clear winner".

You are eaten up with hatred for a man who has been dead for nearly 70 years,a man you never met.
I think you need to seek help before this obsession takes over your life.:-(
N.B .Thanks for those primary sourced ringside reports of the Johnson V Moran fight stating it was a close fight that you did NOT provide.:yep
PS .
Who did better against Tom Sharkey? Jeffries or Fitzsimmons?

Who did better against Jim Corbett? Jeffries or Sharkey?:think

:happy:hi:

 

This is 100% correct. Im not even sure why Mendoza keeps on bringing up that Moran wasnt paid. Johnson had nothing to do with Moran not getting paid. Moran not getting paid was a combination of his manager and the war. Johnson went to work and did his job and the only monies he saw from the fight came from the motion picture revenue. Its pointless arguing with this lying bigot. He sees what he wants to see, disregards anything that goes contrary to his twisted pre-conceived notion even if those contrary sources are legion. Pathetic.

 

On June 1, I was again asked my thoughts on who would win the Johnson-Moran fight. Moran was giving Dan a hard time and was acting like he was a superstar. Moran refused to sign with Dan. Dan was livid after all he went through to get Moran the fight with Johnson.

I told the reporter, who was visiting me in my West Hoboken home, that even if Johnson entered the ring on crutches he would still slaughter Moran inside a few rounds. I said that I would like nothing better than to see Moran annihilated. During the interview I spoke of how I picked plenty of kale while in Paris, which meant I earned a big bankroll. I introduced the reporter to my wife and two children and I showed him my new car. I told him: “This, my fourth trip across the big waters, was the most enjoyable. As you already know I engaged in six battles and won all but that close decision Sam Langford got. I received decisions over Carpentier, Alf Langford, and Kid Jackson in Paris, and trimmed easily Colin Bell of Australia and Andrew Johnson at London. Carpentier is a tough kid, and you can quote me as saying that he can beat fellows like Gunboat Smith and a lot of the white hopes around New York. Some people in Paris say Carpentier must serve in the army, and others claim that it will be fixed for him to duck army service and remain in the prize ring. I don’t know how true the latter statement is. Of course you know that Jack Johnson is a French subject now, and the ruling in that country is that every man under thirty-five years of age must enroll. Well Jack just celebrated his thirty-sixth birthday, so they can’t make him do military duty. They’re very strict about it. When he enters the ring with Moran he will wear the French colors on his belt. Is he coming back to America? Search me.” The reporter then asked me: “They say on the other side that Moran stands an awfully good chance of beating Johnson. What’s your opinion?”

I became enraged. Moran was lucky to be getting a title shot. Now he was going around telling everyone what a great fighter he was. The only reason he was getting the shot at the title was because of Dan. I replied:

“That ungrateful cuss. He’ll lick Johnson no more than my little Joe. I’m through with him. If he can’t appreciate a good thing he ought to lie low and keep his mouth shut. But no, he wants to tell the world what a great fighter he is, whereas if it hadn’t been for the untiring work of little Danny McKetrick, as fine a fellow as ever lived, you would never have heard of him. I saw Johnson at Wonderland on May 5th, the day I left for home, and he looks great. He told me he weighs about 210 pounds, 25 more than he scaled when he knocked out Jeffries. But believe me, he’ll be in the best of shape when he battles Moran and I’ll miss my guess if he doesn’t knock him out in no time, Moran doesn’t sit with him. I don’t blame McKetrick for asking Moran to sign a contract with him. Ever since the match was talked of Moran has gone clean nutty. What did he ever lick to deserve a swelled head? He caught the tottering Al Palzer when he was ready to fall and managed to stop him. Where in his record are there any victories worthwhile? None. He is a foolish boy.

“McKetrick knew something was up when Moran quit him in Paris and came here, and he made up his mind that he was not going to lose the $1,000 that he paid out in expenses for Moran’s living on the other side, when he was loafing and doing nothing. You’ve got to spank a boy like Moran to keep him in line. I’ve been with McKetrick for six years and we never had words. When he took me to the other side the first time he had me sign a contract for six months because he didn’t know me. Three days out on the ship he came to me and said: ‘Joe, see this piece of paper, a so-called contract? Well here she goes’ and Dan tore it up and threw it overboard. Do you know Moran tried three or four times to double cross me in exhibition tours? After he whipped Palzer, Dan put us on the stage, and I remember well how he attempted to beat me up on the stage. But I didn’t let him get away with it.

“During our week’s stay in Boston I had to lay off one Friday night because I had to box Sam Langford in the Garden the next night. I went through a tough battle and returned to stage work the next night. Well you should have seen Moran pile into me, when I told him my arms were in bad shape. I got onto him and made up my mind to give him a good thrashing, even if I had to lose my hands for good. And, believe me, he got a licking he didn’t forget for some little time. That’s the only way to handle fellows like that. I could go on and recount thousands and thousands of other little things about this ingrate, but what’s the use?

A couple of years later Dan McKetrick wrote to the papers describing how the Johnson-Moran fight came to be: “Joe Jeannette is responsible in more ways than one for the success of Frank Moran. When Moran first came to New York and placed himself under my management I turned him over to Jeannette. The latter schooled him for several years and after Moran’s defeat of Palzer, I took him abroad with Joe Jeannette and Young Ahearn.

“Moran jumped into fame by his fight against Jack Johnson and it came about in this manner. When Billy Gibson was manager at Madison Square Garden, he signed Jack Johnson to an agreement to meet Jeannette. After signing articles and upon Gibson’s return to New York, Johnson repudiated the agreement and announced his retirement. Shortly afterwards he made his getaway to Paris. When I reached Paris I told Johnson he would have to box Jeannette and advanced this argument: ‘Jeannette is popular here by reason of his knockout over Sam McVey and his defeat over Carpentier. The public will demand this bout and unless you agree to fight him, I will make things miserable for you.’

“Johnson stalled me for several weeks, and then finally came to me and said: ‘I do not want to box Jeannette, for I am quite satisfied that he will win the decision on points in a 20 round bout and I do not want to lose my title to another colored man. I want to be the only colored man to be heavyweight champion of the world. If you will agree to stop challenging me with Jeannette, I will agree to box Moran for you.’

“I put this up to Jeannette and he readily agreed. He felt that if Moran beat Johnson, that he would at least have the satisfaction of having developed the man who had taken the title from Johnson. This is how the Johnson-Moran fight was made, and which I promoted, and Moran’s stand against Johnson was what made him the popular candidate for a Willard-Moran match when he returned to America. Jeannette has beaten Johnson several times in no-decision contests some seven years ago and Johnson always realized that Jeannette was the best man in the country.”

Johnson won the June 27 bout against Moran in Paris by a twenty round decision, even though he had an injured left arm from the bout with Jim Johnson. Moran missed his “Mary Anns” all night. When he finally landed one the crowd cheered. Jack stepped back and clapped his gloves together along with the crowd, showing the punch had no effect on him. Dan McKetrick stated that Moran only touched Johnson twice in the bout, when they touched gloves at the beginning of the match and again at the beginning of the twentieth round. Willie Lewis, who was very close to Moran, worked his corner. Moran gave strict instructions to the referee, Georges Carpentier, that no one was allowed to throw in the towel on his behalf except Lewis. Neither boxer would get paid for the fight, as the sixty-two thousand dollars the fight netted wound up getting frozen in a Paris bank due to the feud between Dan and Moran. Dan never did get the money from the championship fight released. It would be the only time in heavyweight championship history that neither fighter received any compensation. Johnson looked flabby and sluggish in the bout. Jack would complain to me, every time he saw me after that fight, of how Dan beat him for his purse.

 

Thanks for the welcome input, though there are a couple of inaccuracies in it that I have underlined.
I haven't Clay Moyle's knowledge of Langford , but I was under the impression Langford beat Jeannette rather handily in Paris. Johnson scaled 221.5lbs when he fought Moran ,hardly a good weight for him. Johnson signed to fight Jeannette twice in the US but the authorites vetoed the fights , but I'm sure you know this. Jeannette only beat Johnson once, on a disputed foul.
Johnson always rated Langford and McVey over Jeannette but did say Jeannette was a tough proposition over extended distances.
Johnson, at that stage of his career ,would not be anxious to fight Jeannette.
Have you any info on the Jeannette v Alf Langford fight? Box rec says Langford was winning until he missed a punch and fell unable to continue.
ps Young Ahearn used to spar with the young Ernest Hemingway.

 

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Thanx McVey...I'm trying to be a nicer person...on this forum I like to add articles only...because If I use "IMO" I get screwed...anyway, here is an early Christmas Gift to All

"that close decision Sam Langford got."

Joe Jennette vs Sam Langford * December 20, 1913 * 20 rounds * note: there is only 9 rounds on this film...here is a breakdown...of the 9 rounds there are a few that are CUT SHORT...11 rounds missing out of 20 rounds...anyway, the fight was maybe even after the 12th round...some reports have Langford with a slight lead...and others with Jennette in the lead...anyway, It was the 13th round and the 20th round that won it for Langford over Jennette.

Start- 22: (37: 56- :12
*1st Round - 22: (38: 58 - End- 22: (41: 13 -*
2nd Round - 22: (41: 18- End- 22: (43: 32-
3rd Round - 22: (43: 36- End- 22: (45: 47-
*13th Round - 22: (45: 52- End- 22: (48: 12-*
14th Round - 22: (48: 27- End- 22: (50: 38-
15th Round - 22: (50: 43- End- 22: (52: 16-
16th Round - 22: (52: 19:- End- 22: (53: 02-
17th Round - 22: (53: 10- End- 22: (55: 20-
*20th Round - 22: (55: 23- End- 22: (55: 32-* "Last Round"
End- 22: (56: 36- :13

http://www.joejennette.com/JoeJennetteVsSamLangford1913Paris.html

"He told me he weighs about 210 pounds, 25 more than he scaled when he knocked out Jeffries."

this is from a newspaper article from the "Auburn Citizen" dated May 26, 1914

"Jeannette has beaten Johnson several times in no-decision contests some seven years ago and Johnson always realized that Jeannette was the best man in the country.” this is from a newspaper article from the "Syracuse Journal" dated May 9, 1916.

Jack Johnson vs Joe Jennette 1-1-1 (4 no-decisions)
Year
1905
05-09 No Decision 3
11-25 Win D.Q. 2
12-02 No Decision 6
year
1906
01-16 No Decision 3
03-14 Loss Points 15
09-20 No Decision 6
11-26 Draw Points 10

(Jeannette only beat Johnson once, on a disputed foul.) & Johnson only beat Jennette once.
there were (4 no-decisions) bouts Johnson didn't win all the newpaper decisions

"Jeannette only beat Johnson once, on a disputed foul." well here is a few articles of which I already posted on this fight....

Joe Jeannette of New York went down in the second round of the wind-up with Jack Johnson, the Negro heavyweight champion, at the National A.C. tonight, from a foul blow, and 10 minutes later he was carried from the ring suffering intense pain. The blow was delivered about the middle of the second round and when both men were fighting fast. Johnson rushed Jeannette into a corner and one of his many swings went foul, the blow landed several inches below the belt. Jeannette’s seconds worked over him five minutes, and then carried him to his dressing room. Jeannette to the surprise of everyone, had all the better of the first round. He was fully six inches shorter than his opponent, and 25 pounds lighter.

Commencing the second round, Johnson sent a hard right to Jeannette’s body and swung another right for the jaw, but Jeannette was out of harm’s way and came back with that bad left to Johnson’s jaw. This appeared to anger the big champion, and he went after Jeannette. Many of the blows, which had steam enough behind them to drive Jeannette through the ropes, missed, and as Jeannette straightened up after each ducking he nearly always managed to tap Johnson’s jaw. Johnson fought Joe around the ring, and finally getting him in a corner, rained rights and lefts on his body, one of which blows went low and Jeannette fell to the mat. Johnson, not knowing he had hurt Jeannette, struck him at least twice while the latter was falling.

In the middle of the second round of a fast, interesting contest, at the National Athletic Club last night, Jack Johnson, the colored heavyweight champion laid low Joe Jeannette with a terrific left hand uppercut which landed very low on the Gotham boy. As Jeannette sank to the canvas with a startling groan, the crowd threatened to the title holder bodily harm, and it was due to the fact that a squad of armed policemen entered the ring, in time to prevent some lovers of the Queensbury rules from starting into the ring.

Jeannette was carried unconscious from the ring to his dressing room, where Doctors Ferris and O’Connor, failing to revive him, sent him to the Pennsylvania Hospital. Johnson was placed under arrest and locked up in a nearby station house where he was held until Jeannette entirely recovered from the blow. Jeannette was taken to the station house, but he refused to make any charges against the champion.

Johnson and Jeannette were the principals in the star boxing show at the National Club’s weekly boxing show. The former had every natural advantage, towering over the Jersey man, outclassing him in reach and outweighing him many pounds. There was considerable money bet that Jeannette would not last four rounds, Johnson himself having put up $200.

When the bell summoned the men into action, Johnson appeared the cleverer of the two, having it all over Jeannette. The latter soon got down to business and a long left jab was continually reaching the champion’s jaw. A hard right to the body shook Jack up considerably.
Jeannette kept these tactics in the second round, and Johnson maddened at the thought, threw all reason and rules to the wind, and started to go in and “rough house” it.

Near the end of the second round, he rushed in, swinging both arms wildly, Jeannette backed into the ropes, and as he did so, Johnson released a terrific left uppercut from his knees, hitting the local fighter very low. Jeannette then slowly sank to the floor.

those last few fights with Johnson vs Jennette especially the 15th rounder of which Jack Johnson until the day he died said it was his toughest fight...and it was a close one...some even thought Jennette should of gotten the decision...and last but not least....the fight that made me a believer was JENNETTE VS JOHNSON'S LAST FIGHT IN PORTLAND...that fight Jennette was his "EQUAL" and maybe Jennette desevered that one too.

"Johnson always rated Langford and McVey over Jeannette but did say Jeannette was a tough proposition over extended distances." this is correct...but also, like I said many times before...Jack Johnson said his toughest BATTLE was his 15th Rounder against Jennette...and many times throughout Johnson's life he said Jennette gave him his toughest battles...so maybe he didn't think Jennette should be ranked over MacVey & Langford but head to head versus (himself/Johnson) picked Jennette as his "Equal" never mind long distance.

"frozen in a Paris bank due to the feud between Dan and Moran. Dan never did get the money from the championship fight" this is "TRUE"

"Have you any info on the Jeannette v Alf Langford fight? Box rec says Langford was winning until he missed a punch and fell unable to continue."

"ps Young Ahearn used to spar with the young Ernest Hemingway."

* The world's tourist baseball players who attened the Joe Jeannette-Alf Langford fight in Paris got the best laugh of the trip so far. Langford (not Sam) proved a hugh joke, but his awkwardness bothered Jeannette. Alf butted Joe in the first round, opening a gash on the forehead. Finally, in the seventh round, Langford missed a random swing and flopped on his jaw, knocking himself out.
Jeannette was so enraged over the butting incident that he kicked the unconscious battler on the head, then picked him up and kicked him around the ring.

In the meantime the referee disqualified Langford for haven fallen without being hit. Some decision!
Langford was out for more than an hour. Everyone thought his neck was broke.

Young Ahearn one of my favorite fighters... here is a quote:

"If I am really a good fighter today," concluded Ahearn, "thank Joe Jeanette. He boxed me almost every day for more than a year and told me everything he knew. I think and always did think he was the greatest heavyweight of the day. Finally I got so I could hold my own with him, and every once in a while I'd catch him on an off day and get a shade on the day's work. Then I said to myself that if I could hold my own with Joe Jeanette I could beat any white man in the world and most of the black ones. I bet my own money I can beat any white man in the world. I care a lot for money, too."

 

Here's the Boxing (Boxing News) write-up on it:

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BeerGut....Thank You...I didn't have that article...Outstanding

 

I've read ringside accounts that state Johnson won the first round of his dsq fight with Jeannette handily.

Johnson had Jeannette on the floor in several of their fights, but Jeannette was never able to return the favour.
Jeannette and Johnson had the same reach of 74 inches so the reach advantage gag is spurious.
I've never seen a quote from Johnson stating that Jeannette gave him his hardest fight.
I have seen several stating that McVey was his hardest opponent. No report I have read gave Jeannette the decision in any of the fights he had with Johnson except for the dsq victory,and,as I have already stated, I've read that Johnson walloped Jeannette in the first round of that fight.

" Jeannette after being thumped in lively fashion in the first round assumed a crouching pose inthe second round.
He undertook to run in and clinch ducking a vicious left hand swing.Johnson ripped a right hook up for Jeannette's jaw.
The latter dropped to the floor writhing in apparent agony.

He claimed to have been struck a foul blow."

That is a ringside report from the Philadelphia Public Ledger where the fight was held..The report you posted is from the NewYork based Police Gazette.
At no time was Jeannette unconscious, he was rolling around claiming a low punch.
They fought again in Philly,on Dec2nd1905 over 6 rounds and Johnson had him on the floor 4 times.
Three of those knockdowns were in the 6th and last round.

The Philadelphia Inquirer said of this fight ,"Jeannette looked pretty good for the first 2 rounds ,but after that Johnson began to pull away." Four knockdowns in 6 rounds, is pretty conclusive wouldn't you say?

 

Jennette vs Johnson I * 05-09 No Decision 3

A newspaper report of the fight stated: Big Jack Johnson caught a tarter in Joe Jeannette at Philadelphia several nights ago. The colored heavyweight champion was contracted to stop Walter Johnson and Jeannette in three rounds each. Joe... was practically unknown, besides being heavily handicapped in both weight and height, the spectators expected to see Jack “clean” him in a hurry. Instead he tore into the big black champion and made it decidedly interesting for him in each of the three sessions.

Another report on the fight stated: The double stunt tried by Jack Johnson, colored heavyweight champion of the world, in meeting two men for three rounds each in the wind-up at the Knickerbocker Athletic Club last night proved to be more of a surprise than the champion was looking for. Joe Jeanette, of New York, went on first, and although greatly handicapped in weight and height and eclipsed in experience, he gave Johnson as hard a three-round reception that the latter has run across while in this city.

Jeanette not only held his own, but actually forced the milling in two of the rounds. He repeatedly got home to Johnson’s body and face with a good left jab and landed a few right hand wallops which caused the crowd to yell its approval. Jeanette was not any too gallus, however, by his success and he invariably cleverly covered up whenever the big fellow came rushing in after being stung by some of Joe’s punches. Johnson seemed unable to get to Jeanette with any of his blows effectively, although the New Yorker took the count more than once to gather his wits about him when the milling got a bit warm. Johnson did not seem to try very hard in the first round, but after Jeanette had made himself solid with the crowd Johnson sailed in for the second round like a hurricane.

For a time things went badly for Joe, but before the round was over he was giving just as good as he received. The third he easily held his own, despite Johnson’s desperate efforts to land the “ender” punch. The crowd went wild when the bell ended the bout with Jeanette fighting Johnson savagely. Walter Johnson then essayed to go the same distance, but a clip on the jaw just as the men had shaken hands in the third round settled that bout.

Jennette vs Johnson II * 11-25 Win D.Q. 2

“I’ll go up after his body because I think that is his weakest spot now and besides body punching is my long suit. It was a body blow I got in that made him foul me that time in Philadelphia. I caught him with a right uppercut in the pit of the stomach and it made him gasp. Right after that he began hitting low. He hit me with a right that landed below the belt and the crowd began to hiss. I was hurt pretty badly, but I kept my feet and he deliberately struck me again with the same punch. When I woke up I was in the hospital. Johnson was arrested and they wanted me to press charges against him, but I didn’t want to do that.”

The Freeman August 31, 1912

Jennette vs Johnson III * 12-02 No Decision 6

The National Police Gazette described the action: Johnson started after his rival at the tap of the gong, and Jeannette knowing the power of the man facing him, protected himself well. The fourth round was the best of the night, for the New Yorker. He came out of his crouch and met Johnson. Then the milling waxed warm, and the crowd began to yell. Jeannette did not retreat, but stood and let fly as best he could, and Johnson smiled in glee to think that he would soon find a vacancy and bang it on Joe’s jaw. This was Jeannette’s round, and the gallery yelled in delight at the promise of some rare swatting yet to come. Jeannette encouraged by his showing in the round previous, began to go after Johnson in the fifth round, and just when the New Yorker came strong he bumped into a stiff short right to the jaw, which put him on the floor for the count of nine. In the last round Jeannette went to the floor twice and took the full limit on each occasion. He was not trying to evade the short taps to the jaw, and the mill ended with Johnson actively engaged in a desperate endeavor to end the go and Jeannette there to stay.

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La Vie Au Grand Air March 4, 1911 “Mes Combats” by Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson commented numerous times in 1905 and 1906 and on how tough the Baltimore fight was: “In 1906 I met Joe Jeannette four times. Joe and I met so often that it became a game for us and we took much pleasure in the bouts. In our second meeting, which was a six rounder, it was a very serious match because we had much knowledge of each other by now, I was beaten on a foul in the second round. Later in the season, we met again in Baltimore, and I won a fifteen round decision. I reckon that was one of the best fights of Jeannette’s life.”

La Vie Au Grand Air March 4, 1911, “Mes Combats” by Jack Johnson

Joe Jeannette has proven how correct we were to have unshakable confidence in him and he has justified the opinion of Jack Johnson. The champion of the world has, indeed, affirmed that he regarded Joe Jeannette to be James Jeffries’ superior. And I believe one cannot give any more beautiful a compliment to a boxer.

La Vie Au Grand Air May 1, 1909

Here is what Johnson says of Joe Jeannette: “I think that Jeannette is a tougher man than Jeffries, and it is harder to make an impression on him. I do not say this because Jeannette is a man of my own colour; it is my candid opinion. I have fought him, and I know. I studied the other man, and I think that I am expert enough to pass a proper opinion on the relative merits of the men.”

Jack Johnson stated in the article that Joe Jeannette was the toughest man he ever fought and the hardest to hurt. He was also quoted in the article as saying: “Why the more I hit that man the stronger he got. No wonder he beat Sam McVey in a finish battle.”

Jersey Journal September 30, 1910

“As for Jack Johnson, I want to say that I do not consider him a hard hitter, and I am waiting for the chance when he can show me how hard he can hit. Johnson did not show his hitting when he met Jim Jeffries, for I would have stopped Jeff sooner than he did and so would other heavyweights I could mention: for Jeffries was not himself by a long ways. If he had been, Jack Johnson would not be champion today. Johnson is a wonderful blocker, and a marvelous defensive fighter and no one can take that away from him, but just the same I do not think he is a hard enough hitter to stop me, and the only way he can convince me to that effect is to put me down for the ten count. If he can do so I will then say he is the greatest fighter in the world.”

Elmira NY Telegram April 23, 1911

“Jeannette ain’t human. I’d rather fight Johnson twenty rounds then Jeannette ten.”

Sam Langford

Oswego Daily Times September 2, 1911

Shortly before Jack Johnson sailed for England he was interviewed by Robert Edgren of the Evening World.

“I think that Jeannette is the greatest man in the world in a finish fight."

An article published on July 1 in the national press was titled: “Jack Johnson’s Peer, Jeannette?

Joe Jeannette is probably the least appreciated pugilist in the ring today, considering his merits. Although his real worth is well recognized by close followers of boxing, the majority of those only casually interested in the ring fail to appreciate his ability to the full extent. Of all the men who covet Johnson’s title, none looks to have a better chance of defeating the champion than the Hoboken Negro. Johnson himself is fully aware of this, and studiously avoids mentioning Jeannette’s name when discussing future matches. Another good point about Jeannette is that he always tries to win as decisively as possible, instead of saving his opponents up for another match. And, opponents are mighty scarce and hard to find.

Jeannette returned from a trip from Paris and England about a week or so ago. He was forced to go abroad because he could find no more heavyweights who would risk a meeting with him. On the other side he had no better success, for none of Europe’s big men were feeling belligerent when Jeannette hove in sight. He did manage to get a match at Plymouth, England, and Glasgow, Scotland, but in each place his opponent was of no standing. He knocked them both out easily. Jeannette is a superbly built athlete. He does not tend to take on fat and is always as hard as a marble statue, even when out of training. When in perfect condition it is worth the price of admission merely to watch the play of his muscles as he moves about the ring.
He can absorb punishment even more amazingly than he deals it out. One of his favorite tricks when feeling in a humorous mood is to drop his hands and allow his opponent to swing both hands at his stomach. In attack he is lightning fast. His left jabs shoot to the mark with speed that would be envied by a featherweight. His right crosses and uppercuts are only surpassed by those of Sam Langford. Jeannette is particularly anxious to meet Langford in a twenty round bout, but the Boston Negro evidently prefers the easier game in Australia. Twice Sam has found his way out of matches with Jeannette in California by making himself scarce when fight time came around.

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