If Jack Johnson had kept his focus and condition,and given title shots to those fellow blacks he avoided, once he became Champ ,how would he have come out? Prime.For. Prime. Langford Jeanette McVey
Well, he beat LAngford and McVey before he became champ albeit young versions of them. I think he would beat them also prime for prime. Jeanette I think was the "worst" of those three so I guess he would beat him too. Johnson to me was the best and greatest hw pre-Louis.
I'm not sure about Jeanette as the worst of the three...I can't see any real reason why he should be regarded as any weaker than McVey overall. As for Johnson, the "staying focused" part is the key. Post Jeffries he lost it, and not a little, I think, a lot. Of course, he was under silly pressure. Imagining prime for prime match ups I think that Johnson should be favoured over all of these guys. But who knows?
McGrain, that is a horrible avatar. Especially as I know who it is. Sound enough lass, but **** me change it quick. Back to Gavilan preferably
Sooner or later one of the black fearsome would get Johnson imo. Could be Langford, could be McVey, could be Jeanette.
I think, if he was at the top of his game Johnson beats them all ,but anything less than that, especially against Langford ,could be courting disaster.Interestingly Johnson allways named McVey as his hardest opponent.
Johnson beat all of these men when they were young, but johnson was not fully physically matured yet as well. He beat these men multiple times too. When you look at things closer Johnson deserves more credit for beating these guys Johnson beat Sam Mcvea when he was 8-0, but Sam was coming off wins over top contender Denver Ed Martin. Sam was an early bloomer who was world class already when Johnson beat him. Johnson beat Jeanette when he had just 15 pro fights, but Jeanette was coming off an 8 round knockout victory over the great Sam Langford. Sam Langford was only 156lb at the time, but johnson also was smaller at 185lb. both were around 20lb below there best weight. I think Jack Johnson beats any of these men at any time
I think Jack would have beaten all 3 of them. Sam Langford would have been the most trouble for him...in my opinion.
Johnson would have beaten McVea and Jeanette. Langford was the master of McVea and Jeanette. Johnson's beating him is a little more likely than Johnson's fighting him. When Jack Johnson beat Sam Langford the first time, Sam wasn't even finished growing yet. The second fight, which was supposed to be a good-natured exhibition and occurred two days later. It took place literally on a stage with no ring and no ropes and was reportedly a street fight (a stage fight?). It lasted a few rounds and only minutes longer than it took for them to crash through the scenery. Jack, by the way, was fully 28 years old. Sam was 20. 1909 or 1910? Even money, though I'd have still wagered on Sam. Anytime after 1910, Sam.
Neither Langford nor Johnson were at their prime weight for their fight. Langford was 156lbs about 20 lbs below his best weight. Johnson was 185lbs, about 23lbs below his. Langford was actually 23 years old and had fought over 60 contests, [quite a few more than Johnson],when they met.
You might want to add in GunBoat Smith, and Jeff Clarke. Langford, Jeanette, and McVey peaked while Johnson was champion from 1908-1915. I tend to think Johnson would always have Mcvey's number, but could very well lose to Langford or Jeanette. Langford is a threat to win via KO. Jeanette is a threat to win by outworking Johnson in one of those decisions that was given to the guy who threw more punches, and did the leading. A match with White hope Gunboat Smith would be interesting as well. Smith did in fact hurt and floor Johnson ( when Johnson was champion ) in a 4 round ex match that can be viewed as a TKO since Johnson manager decided his fighter could not longer continue.
I'd give Langford the best shot of beating Johnson but even then it would be a 50/50 fight. McVey and Jeanette I see Johnson beating. Interesting about Gunboat Smith knocking Johnson down and hurting him in an exhibition. I didnt know that.
Smith was a sparring partner for Johnson in 1909 for the Ketchel fight, he was actually awol from the Navy when he put Johnson through the ropes, and nearly out of the ring ,Johnson remarked how hard a a hitter he was. Smith did not really start full time as a pro until 1910,during which year he was kod byJim Barry, in 9rds and Joe Willis, in 11rds . Smith was beaten twice again by Barry the following year[1911].and,in 1912 by Jack Geyer,Jim Stewart,and Porky Flynn. At the end of 1912 Smith began a good run ,he beat Frank Moran,on pts and, in 1913,beat Bombadier Billy Wells, Jess Willard, Jim Flynn,and Carl Morris[dsq] , he kept the momentum going by beating Tony Ross ,and his best win, a dec from Sam Langford, which was seen as very debatable. Smith started 1914 promisingly, he beat a washed up Arthur Pelkey ,drew with Jack Blackburn who was conceding 30lbs to him ,but then his career stalled.A dsq to Carpentier,and devastating 3rds ko loss to Langford were followed by a loss to Battling Levinsky .Thereafter Smith lost quite often .his day had come and gone. His best year was 1913, that year Johnson was a fugitive from justice, living in Europe.
I knew Smith was considered one of the great white hopes to Johnsons title and knew of his record but was unaware of the exhibition. Is there any other info on this ?
Yes. [url]http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9F0DEED61F31E733A25751C1A9669D946897D6CF[/url] Smith not only managed to do this, he also defeated Ross, Flynn, Moran, and Williard. These four of course got title shots from Johnson. Smith did not. Smith greatest win was over Langford. Smith was a white hope in name only. He could fight.