Jack Johnson vs Tommy Morrison

50/50/ Morrison early, or Johnson late.

Morrison's offense was very good, and so was his speed. His power was Incredible. Enough to KO johnson cold. But his chin and stamina were drawbacks, which could play to Johnson's favor.

In terms of skills Morrison has as many or more than any of Johnson's filmed opponents.

 

Good points you make but I'll repeat something I've said a million times before on this forum and others and nobody has once gone "oh yeah!?!? I really hadn't thought about that LIKE EVER!??" I've never had any considered response on it on any forum people just tend to go quiet on me and don't even come back with anything so would be interested in your response on it as you seem fairly reasonable in your posts - but my grandad who grew up in the era once told me when I asked him why guys never seemed to move very much in the old fights and he said it was because they couldn't because the shoes back then were not rubber soled like today they were leather soled and it was tricky just walking in a straight line in them down the road trying to dance or jump about in them would've been nigh on impossible and you would've been falling over every two seconds! This is a massive factor in these discussions or at least should be - what you reckon?

 

That is very possibly a factor. Athletes styles change as equipment evolves. However I don't think the shoes Dempsey wore were very different than what were worn by Willard or Johnson. The herky jerky nature of the fighters movements have a lot to do with the herky jerky nature of the silient era film PLUS silient era film that has been copied dozens of times over.

 

Therein lies the issue - you don't think - whereas I got it from the horses mouth - someone he knew for a stone old fact that it would have had a massive effect - he basically said it was like walking on banana skins basically in comparison and basically laughed when he said could you imagine, say, an Ali for instance, dancing around like a ballet dancer in those - I don't think so this is what nobody has no concept of whatsoever these days in the slightest - they basically didn't move a great deal because they could without risking slipping or tripping at every second - and anyone who was particularly well balanced and a good mover in that period? Well you could quadruple there level of footwork had they had the advantage of today's ringboots etc it stands to reason - just like anyone who could sprint 100 meters on the old cinder tracks you could probably improve their already great times by a pretty decent factor were they to have had the chance to run on a modern track with spikes shoes etc it stands to reason

 

It may be a factor but then you need to explain Tunney and Corbett as hwts both who moved well in the ring. I've seen very old films of lighter weight fighters who moved well side to side. The film quality is a huge reason old timers look herky jerky.....herky jerky film equals herky jerky fighting.

 

JOHNSON DOMINATES KO 13