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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.)
When Daniel Mendoza lost he smiled and said he knew the public would only tolerate his championship for so long.
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.
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.
