Which former champs at 154 or 160 could have floored Jack Johnson?

Just slightly off this topic. I’ve always wondered how Thomas Hearns would have done against some of the earlier Lineal Heavyweight champs. Why Tommy? 6-1 height 78 reach and such an accurate powerful right hand behind a fast snappy left jab. And one of the earlier Lineal champs I’ve wondered about is Jack Johnson.

 

Ketchel floored Johnson because he was being carried and decided to go off script and hit Johnson with a shot he never saw coming. If your asking what pro boxers could knock out a jack Johnson that's not defending himself then the answer is probably many

 

Agreed. The Andries Hearns was the first time at 175. But once Hearns got to Hill he knew what he could and couldn’t do at 175. But I can just picture him jabbing the hell out of Johnson and nailing him with a right. Johnson definitely goes down but does he get up?

 

Quality of life was quite different 110 years ago.

Nutrition and training equipment. Paychecks for boxers. Quantity of fighting. Technique of training. Means of travel. The gloves, the shoes, the canvas. Whole different world. Many people are ignorant to these dramatic realities.

 

Pavlik was a good addition. I'm going to add Arthur Abraham as well.

 

Oh yeah. AA could bang.

 

Not picking any of these guys to actually beat JJ, but I think any of the hard-hitting MWs like Tito Trinidad, Iran Barkley, G Man, probably even Hearns all could have put JJ on his @ss..
Those guys also all had better movement than most of JJs opponents.

 

Yes he did, he kicked William Joppys ass, who was at least a respected champion of his era...and he brutalized a tough young fighter at 154, I suspect if he had more fights at that weight he would have raked in more KOs.
He probably never would have KOd a de la Hoya or a Mosely, but besides them I would say he carried his power well from the lighter weight.

 

He stopped the #2 MW at the time, William Joppy, in 5-6 rounds.