Battling Jim Johnson vs Riddick 'Big Daddy' Bowe

Battling Jim Johnson was an absolute marvel, which is evident in the little clip we have of him. The blistering handspeed combined with the unorthodox angles would be a nightmare for Bowe and his leaky defense. The way Battling Jim would sit down on his punches and torque away with deadly combination is somewhat of a lost art in modern times. Battling Jim was a bit of a maverick... Did I ever tell you about the time a group of thugs, maybe a dozen or so, tried to mug Battling Jim when he was out his night time run? Needless to say, it didn't go well for the thugs, with every single one of them taken to hospital for intensive care. This kind of hardship experienced by Battling Jim back at the turn of the century is a somewhat evil necessisity to become a great fighter. I'm not saying Big Daddy had it easy in the streets of Brownsville (@Fergy and @InMemoryofJakeLamotta just ejaculated) but it was a different era.

So what's the outcome to this fantasy fight? Do we go with the high volume tasmanian devil, fast feet, angles, speed and energy of a Battling Jim Johnson? Or the size, strength and inside work of a more modern but less durable Riddick Bowe?

For me, Riddick has a chance if it's limited to 12 rounds. Anything beyond that then Battling Jim breaks big daddy down before a mercy stoppage by the ref as Bowe can no longer defend himself up against the ropes.

This question is brought to you by me, Samba, in the corner of a run down, smokey, Bronx tavern with a Cuban cigar in one hand, and a Jackie Blackburn biography in the other. Now excuse me as I go for a half whiskey at the bar from the barmaid who I always refer to as 'darling'. I will get back to the replies after I finish a game of cards amidst a smokey haze! Cheers

 

Can you imagine if Battling Jim fell into the hands of a Philadelphia Jack O'Brien?

 

Jokes aside Mario, who do you see prevailing in this encounter over 15 rounds?

Thoughts @Jackomano ?

 

According to my 1910s newspaper clippings, Battling Jim Johnson was a work horse, and similar to Hurricane Harry Greb he had a never ending gas tank. I think he takes the Lazy Bowe into deep waters in the championship rounds and drowns him.

*puff puff*

 

Aren't you the fella who made a thread commenting on the remarkable Primo Carnera simply because he was playing with a kangaroo?

Not that I'm disagreeing, Primo standing at 8ft 4 inches, 500lbs moved like Sugar Ray Leonard. He had the blistering hand speed of a Hector Camacho. He could bend down at the waist and pivot like Willie Pep. They just don't make them like that anymore.

*puff puff*

 

Don't you bloody dare tell me that Bowe beats the crap out of battling Jim, you filthy modernist! I'd understand if you think he edges a decision in a 12 rounder, but one sided? Do me a favour!

You couldn't recognise greatness if it came up and slapped you in the face. If Battling Jim Johnson was around today then Anthony Joshua would be flipping burgers in McDonald's!

 

I hope you aren't going through a late life crisis, Cross Trainer. We stick to our typewriters! Anymore of that talk and I will regretfully kick you out of the club. I'll give you one more chance!

Me, @reznick , @klompton2 , @Jackomano and @BitPlayerVesti are meeting in the Black Bull tavern later for a game of cards if you care to join us? Should be a jolly old outing as Klompton has vowed to bring down some Harry Greb newspaper clippings for us to sink our teeth into! Reznick has also promised to bring some old film reel of Battling Jim vs Sam McVey. It gives me a good reason to wear my brand new dungarees purchased just last week from the thrift shop. Cheers.