Jack Johnson vs. Earnie Shavers

Shavers probably catches him over the top quickly, but I’ll admit I’m not sure how much of an impact the rule change would have.

 

Jack at his best, survives the bomb's and takes Shavers in to painful last round s.
Jack in his own time was a tough SOB.

 

Shavers had the big punch but Johnson had tenacity, endurance, strength and tremendous confidence. And lest we forget, defensive skill that was a big part of his dominance. I think he controls the infighting and slowly wears Shavers down until he eventually knocks him out.

 

Ernie would have trouble touching Johnson.

 

The smart money would be on Johnson to befuddle Shavers, and win somehow.

 

Jack.

 

Using Johnson's rules? That's a massive advantage to Johnson.

 

Johnson's rules means 5 oz gloves and much heavier grappling and clinching.

I go with Johnson as it's his world there. Fighters of his era trained with wrestlers for a reason.

 

In Johnson's day, people HAD to be bald.

 

Yes, that appears to have been a voluntary election on Johnson’s part.

The only compromise he made during his career/life in order to fall into line.

I’ve seen very early pics of Johnson sporting a Clarence Williams III - like ‘fro - seriously man, he looked too cool for school.

Even in terms of fashion, Jack was clearly too mod for the 1900s squad so he ultimately opted for the clean shaven, shiny pate instead.

 

A bit surprised no one has mentioned and analogised Ketchel’s overhand right KD of Johnson.

Shavers had a very nice overhand right aided and abetted by his relatively long reach. Ask Larry.

And of course Earnie carried a wee bit more power than the Michigan Assassin.

Well, actually, I think the Ketchel KD of Johnson wasn’t legit though perhaps not necessarily pre planned ,

At best, I think that Johnson simply lost his balance in his hurried evasion of Stanley’s right hand which basically sailed/slid over the back of Johnson’s head/neck.

Still, that was enough to **** Johnson off giving rise to the only vision of Johnson exhibiting his true power - and after keeping that power well and truly contained for the preceding 11 rounds - of course that was for the purpose of twisting the knife and getting a good number of rounds on film to promote sales.

Unless Earnie lands a big one in the first 2-3 rounds, I also have to go with Jack but a guy like Shavers always holds that early round danger even if it is less likely to manifest itself.

 

Johnson would eat Shavers for breakfast.

P.S. Ketchel's right missed.

 

That's why Shavers would win. This is a man so hardened that he chose to be bald.

 

The first thing I thought of when coming to this thread.