Yes. Johnson's career as an MMA type of fighter / wrestler is uncharted waters. Back then, a top boxer vs. a Wrestler or MMA type of guy was not unheard of. Jeffries knocked out the French kickboxing champion in 1 round. Sam Mcvey had an MMA type of fight too. With clinch fighting and wrestling more prominent in boxing at the turn of the century, you could say the cross over for them wasn't a huge jump. Johnson was known for his strength in the ring. I've noted he is an excellent clincher, who could take advantage of the liberal hitting and holding rules of the time vs. smaller men like Burns or Flynn, but such tactics went out the window vs. fighters his size in Moran, and vs. bigger opponents in Willard.
Johnson also knocked out a Russian wrestler who kept slapping him in the face during one of his wrestling bouts.
Great find, makes you wonder how many other Johnson oddities are on film. He had to turn his hand to a variety of things in "exile". Never heard of Marcussen, but give Johnson his due for having a go and taking him on anyway. I Liked the shot of the horse and cart with the large hoarding, what a find that would be if that advert still existed!
He didn't loose by much against Oldfield. I wonder if in some Madrid attic is a spool of film of Jack's appearance in the bullring?
Yes, he did. on page 118 of Papa Jack, Roberts writes that there were 2 races, both won by Barney over 5 miles, easily, it says. Johnson was fast but outmaneuvered by Oldfield, described as the fastest driver of his day. On the clip, it appeared to me, he came in a couple of seconds behind. Anyway, not bad for an amateur driver.
Louis was a terrible wrestler. The interesting thing I never saw a boxer who was a good wrestler ( The Entertainment type, not Greko Roman ) or an accomplished Grecko Roman style wrestler who was able to become a good boxer.
You're right there Georges Hackenshmidt The Russian Lion tried boxing and was terrible. One exception I can think of was Paul Berlenbach who was a successful wrestler before becoming light heavyweight champion.