What could Johnson have been allowed to accomplish if he'd been white?

There is a possibility that Johnson wouldn't have won the fight with Jeffries in 1904, let alone expose him. He wasn't as good then as in 1910 and Jeffries was much better than a corpse he fought.

 

Totally different fight imo

 

he already crossed colour line in history real life & this is well known famous fact

 

Personally I think Johnson had a very good chance of beating Jeffries in 1902/1903 as it was.

As a white fighter, Johnson would’ve been better recognised, nourished and advanced. Instead of say 180-185 lbs, Johnson would’ve been weighing about 205-209 lbs around 02/03, serving to increase his chances even more vs Jeffries.

 

Valid points I think he would certainly have been in better shape for Klondike than he was.famous referee George Siler said Johnson was living off what he could scrounge at free lunch counters.

 

I'm going no further with it.

 

A lot of white fighters also had problems with their financial situation at the beginning of their careers, so it's not a given. Even Dempsey started from the low point.

 

You know what is funny about this, I think had Johnson been white, he may not of been the icon he is today.

 

Would that work in reverse? Just asking?

 

The way I see it, Johnson would of been in a list of other white champs from Sullivan to Corbett to Jeffries ete who could of been the "best" of there time, but never really prove it because of the color line. Had Johnson been white, the politics of the day would of told Johnson, hey you make more money fighting white guys regardless of skill level. I do think the color bar would of had no break from Johnson to Louis. Johnson would be remembered as a great champ, like Jeffries was, but as the proud black champ that stood up to white America and drove fast cars and dating white women, and drinking the best wines around??? That would never happen.

 

Its true, and Johnson as champion indeed drew the color line as much as any white champion.

 

Parades, a couple more years as champ, and all the white women he wanted.

 

Actually I was referring to that certain Italian American again.but whereas another might be able to make that thread without retribution I don't think I could and so I won't even try.

 

I rather hope you are right!

 

Could have fought anyone he wanted and avoided anyone he didn’t