Bob Fitzsimmons vs. Jack Johnson

Choynsky had him dressed up in his pyjamas ,and ready for bed at one point in that fight.

 

I only say this because Choynski knocked the **** out of Johnson, and Jeffries cited Choynski as the hardest puncher he faced, saying it was a Choynski punch that hurt him the most...

I really makes no difference, as both Fitz and Choynski were capable of flattening just about anyone.

 

Fitz had the Chrysanthemum dressed up for a body bag when the fight was stopped.

I think Joe rocked everyone he fought. It seems that way, at least, from descriptions.

Fitz, tho, he just makes it easy on us to judge. Everyone gets KTFO. He didn't bother with more than a few decisions.

 

I am in the midst of reevaluating and appreciating Johnson..he impresses me..he would have beaten Fitz by ko at any time of the latter's career.

 

Johnson could move as quick as anybody,he wasn't mobile because he didn't need to be, not because he couldn't be.
Johnson's usual style can be seen here.

He is carrying some surplus but you get the idea.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD2zcUHnqZs&feature=channel_video_title[/ame]


Below, a fitter Johnson at 7.26,he moves well here.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA1XPF4ZM2o&feature=related[/ame]

 

Choynsky's chin was not comparable to his better heavyweight contemporaries,and it let him down in several big matches.

 

Pre 1903, Fitzsimmons, Post 1905 Johnson.


Prime for prime, hard to call. The two most probable outcomes are:


1 ) I doubt Johnson could take Fitz's power shots to the head or body, Fitz via KO.


2 ) Johnson out maneuvers Fitzsimmons, ties him up when they are close, and wins the decision.

Johnson never beat anyone as good as a prime Fitzsimmons, and before our resident Johnson apologists chimes in ( If he hasn't already ) Johnson's wins over a teenage Sam MCvey, a 20 year old and sub 160 pound Langford, and a novice Jeanette with a losing or barely .500 were not equal to prime Fitzsimmons from 1895-1903.

 

Yes, this is what the films show. Corbett was quick on his feet, and moved around a lot. In addition Corbett was very hard to catch with head shots due to excellent defensive reflexes.

Johnson's defense was mostly stationary. He relied more on clinching, and glove blocking, though like Corbett he too had good defensive reflexes. But one did not have quick feet to run to land leather somewhere on Johnson, while one did to land on Corbett.

 

You don't need to be that mobile to school someone, ask Mayweather. In fact the 2 have quite a few parallels, in fighting style and public image

 

1.I doubt Fitz would land those shots against Johnson, it took Fitz 14 rds to catch Corbett who was inferior to Johnson in power ,size, strength, and probably defensive ability.

Johnson was also more durable than Corbett ,and hit harder.

Jeffries never beat anyone as good as a prime Fitzsimmons either, he beat a 37 years old version who had 2 rounds of boxing under his belt against a no hoper, in the previous 2 years .


Jeannette lost twice to Johnson in early 1906 in his previous bout he had stopped, 47 fight Sam Langford in 8 rds.
I see you conveniently forgot to mention that Johnson was also some 20lbs below his prime weight when he fought Langford ,whom he thrashed.

Johnson rated Fitz as the best of the Champs up to, and including Tunney.


If you want to focus on beating prime greats,which ones did Jeffries defeat in their primes?

 

'The pinnacle of modern technique' :-(

Mayweather is doing nothing that hasn't been done before, only being more negative. Have I missed summat here?

 

I see your point, thanks for clearing that up :good

I would say this is the nadir for boxing. Floyd has been such a success because of the era he's in, although that's a different debate and I'm sure you're as well-versed as any on different era's so I'll stop preaching.

 

I think the reach/height/speed/defence combinations sees Johnson controlling the action

My comparison was of Mayweather and Johnson. Style wise both are happy to fight on the back foot counterpunching, throwing single shots, doing the minimum to win ugly at times but still breaking opponents down. Both happy to stand in range, using their radar to slip and counter, the right counter is similar as is the uppercut inside. Johnson does wrestle more, Floyd uses the forearm, both work inside

Personality wise they both seem happy to play the bad guy although Johnson maybe revelled it in more, both cocky, flashy, both were happy to flash their cash. The main difference being Mayweather is the more insecure of the 2