110 Year's Ago Johnson Vs Willard.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Apr 7, 2025.

  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2017
    Messages:
    29,146
    Likes Received:
    35,544
    So a 110 years ago the legendary Jack Johnson fell, to the giant Willard.

    What's your thoughts on this controversial fight?
    Did Jack go down legitimately or did he throw it?

    Personally it's the first for me.
    Jack was tired, had done his best but the younger Willard too big and durable.
     
    mcvey, BCS8, apollack and 1 other person like this.
  2. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2012
    Messages:
    60,176
    Likes Received:
    80,237
    Of course he lost legit. Johnson's plan of wrestling with a giant for 45 rounds was a terrible one. He needed a plan B because his plan A was never going to work and he didn't have one.
     
  3. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2006
    Messages:
    11,171
    Likes Received:
    16,695
    Good thread

    No one waits 26 rounds to take a dive. Willard was big, tough and durable. Not much skill but he had other attributes.

    Johnson lost fair and square.
     
  4. SolomonDeedes

    SolomonDeedes Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2011
    Messages:
    1,412
    Likes Received:
    2,215
    I don't think there's much doubt that Johnson - after realising he couldn't outlast Willard - was chasing the knockout. A few years later Willard said that he came away with a cracked jaw and three broken ribs.

    https://ibb.co/dFDKhWp
     
  5. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2022
    Messages:
    4,602
    Likes Received:
    3,711
    Also, it was in hot, humid Cuba. Johnson might have been tired towards the end which helped the giant knock him out. Square and fair and not fixed.
     
    apollack, Fergy and dmt like this.
  6. lone star

    lone star Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    882
    Likes Received:
    1,067
    Read In the Ring & Out. Good story but damn Johnson could tell a tall tale or two.
     
    Fergy likes this.
  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2017
    Messages:
    29,146
    Likes Received:
    35,544
    It was a terrible plan.
    It was a terrible opponent for Johnson by then,a taller,heavier and durable guy, over a massive long distance fight.
     
    apollack, BCS8 and dmt like this.
  8. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2013
    Messages:
    15,370
    Likes Received:
    8,767
    Willard fought smart and Johnson at 37 didn’t. Johnson attacked repeatedly and when exhausted Willard moved in and landed a beauty of a punch. That was that
     
    Fergy, apollack and BCS8 like this.
  9. nyterpfan

    nyterpfan Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2021
    Messages:
    492
    Likes Received:
    934
    Agree 100% Johnson dominated early but age and the intense heat caught up with him--eventually he gassed and Willard KO'd him. (Willard was younger and stronger than Johnson and was able to outlast him--not so much with skill as it was with endurance.)
     
    Fergy, apollack and dmt like this.
  10. GlaukosTheHammer

    GlaukosTheHammer Well-Known Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2017
    Messages:
    2,902
    Likes Received:
    2,119
    When Daniel Mendoza lost he smiled and said he knew the public would only tolerate his championship for so long.
     
    Fergy likes this.
  11. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2024
    Messages:
    4,356
    Likes Received:
    3,827
    He was up 25 rounds to 0 and lost because he or his genius manager agreed to a 45 round fight.

    I think he tried his best. Like @dmt said you're trying to throw a fight you don't wait for round 26.
     
    Fergy likes this.
  12. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2006
    Messages:
    97,646
    Likes Received:
    28,923
    It was legit.
     
    Fergy likes this.
  13. SwarmingSlugger

    SwarmingSlugger Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2010
    Messages:
    1,086
    Likes Received:
    1,341
    It was a legit ko. Tells you a lot about Johnson and his arrogance claiming he threw the fight later, and thinking he could get away with it.
     
    BCS8 and dmt like this.