Lennox Lewis would win on points in a fight that would make you wish, not only that you hadn't paid the pay per view, but that you had put out your eyes.
I tremendously respect what Johnson achieved ,but I simply have a hard time comparing Champs of Boxings formative years to those of the modern era. In a way it is not fair to neither. (Hard enough predicting outcomes of contemporary fights let alone completely different eras) But I will go with Lewis in a boring decision.
Johnson had nowhere near the power of Lewis. Lennox would dismantle him in 2 or 3 rounds. And I'm being generous to the Galveston Giant.
Lennox had nowhere near the defensive skills of Jack Johnson. Senior boxing enthusiasts and trainers I've spoken to universally hail Johnson as the greatest of all time, ahead of Ali, Louis, Marciano and Dempsey. Jack Johnson, well into his forties would spar with the very best fighters of all weight classes at Stillman's gym, and whup them all in the process. I think people underestimate Jack Johnson and his legacy, probably due to the advancement of modern genetics and technology. I see Jack Johnson out-boxing Lewis over 15 rounds, with the possibility of stopping him late.
Lewis would win. But i am sure Johnson would be a completely different fighter and athlete if he fought now.
I think I might pick Johnson actualy. Johnson at his peak was about the same size as the heavyweight version of Evander Holyfield and probably as strong. He was much slicker and more subtle not to mention faster. There are a lot of unknown variables here, but Johnson would be a far better technician than anybody Lewis had sharede a ring with and he had a proven track record against much larger fighters including good boxers, jabbers and movers. Bottom line is that nobody is having an easy time with Johnson.
Those were defensive skills suited to the crude era brawlers he engaged. They would be hopelessly outdated against someone of Lewis' pedigree. Then why did he not win a single significant fight after the Willard loss? Genetics have not advanced one bit in the 100+ years since Johnson's birth. That is ludicrous. Nutrition, health care and training have advanced. I see Johnson as vastly overrated even though his record is full of holes and needs a litany of excuses to support sundry underwhelming performances.
Well its clear to see that the sport of Boxing has evolved.. taking Jack Johnson from his era and sticking him in with a guy like Lennox Lewis would only result in Lewis winning. But if you were to reimagine a guy of Johnsons ability and give him all of the benefits that todays athletes have and I'm sure this fight would be closer then many think. But based on a fight between the two its easy to see that Johnsons style was very primative and although he is a favourite of mine I must say that I'd say Lewis would stop Johnson.
depends when it happens. boxing was a completely different game in their respective eras, practically a different sport.