Harry Greb vs Jack Johnson. Rules: 22 x 22 ring, 12 rounds. Given that Johnson had trouble with super middleweight sized opponents this thread could get interesting. Johnson was KO'd by Choysnki, who likely was about the same weight as Greb was in some matches, outboxed by Jack O'Brien in a 6 round affair according to some primary sources, and knocked down by Ketchel in a fight he won. So Johnson is 1-1-1 in these three fights. Forget the KO loss he did not look good in his prime in the news draw vs O'brien, nor was his victory over Ketchel without blemish as he was floored. So using history and results, Greb belongs in the fantasy match up , even if he would be giving up some weight as O'brien and Ketchel did. Greb is greater than any of these men as a middleweight / light heavyweight or in a pound for pound sense, likely faster, took a superior punch, and was far more durable. It seems that Johnson had some trouble with speedy, smaller opponents that had skill regardless of their styles. So this fight could come down to who throws or lands more punches as I do not see a stoppage for either man.
Johnson would brutalize Greb. O'Brien stayed away from Johnson, and was only able to do so for 6 rounds. He didn't exchange with Johnson like Greb would. Greb wasn't a go backwards kind of fighter, he liked to press the action; Johnson excelled at guys would like to push the action. He would outmuscle him and work brutal shots inside. If Greb mouthed off, and Johnson took the cuffs off, it would be game over.
Interesting thread but I know the Thread starter does not like Johnson. Greb was a machine but I would think Johnson's size advantage plus Greb's lack of a heavy punch would make this a tough match for him. 12 rounds is not long enough for Greb's work rate to show imo. Johnson did struggle with Hart who was not as good as Greb but he was able to lock some guys up easy like Flynn in the clinch. Still no Greb footage found? So many new fights being discovered I still hold out hope
Really? From what I read, Greb always came off as a master boxer who could press the fight when need be. Never sat still, always moving.
I made it 12 for that reason. Greb is being described as fast, and hard to hit, with far more punch output than Johnson. It's an interesting type of match up.
I've never read that Greb was a "master boxer". Where would I find that quote and by whom was it made?
How would pressing the fight help him here? Johnson was a master of fighting that tried to press him. That isn't going to do Greb much good here. If Johnson fights with the cuffs off, and doesn't toy with his prey, he'll brutalize Greb on the inside and rough him up. The only danger is if Johnson tries to coast, and somehow Greb scrabbles his way to a decision, I just don't see it happening.
He pressed the fight when need be. I could see Greb sticking and moving the entire fight to get a decision. I doubt that Johnson would stop Greb. He wasn't a particularly big puncher at hw. From the training film of Greb, I would say Greb's footwork is light years faster than Johnson's. I doubt Johnson would be able to cut off the ring. He never had to from the film I have seen and his contemporaries weren't too good at it either.
In which fight was he doing this sticking and moving that you're describing here. Most of everything I've read on him, was that he engaged and often pressed the fight, overwhelming his foes with punches from all angles. Yet here, you want him to fight contrary to how he normally fights; and somehow, yGreb fighting in a way he wasn't used to, is going to get him a victory against an ATG HW, who's also bigger and stronger than him. Yeah, don't see it. Johnson hit harder than anybody Greb beat, or loss to, so explain to me how his power isn't going to be good enough here. The only way Greb wins this fight, is if Johnson isn't going for the win and coasting, and Greb somehow survives. This isn't the likely scenario.