Did Jack Johnson benefit from being born at the right time?

Thank you ,I am Boucher ,as in Donovan Boucher, a decent enough fighter do you remember him?

 

Nah. The best time to be a black heavyweight was clearly the early 1800s. The division was wide open.

In other news, Max Schmeling was unlucky not to turn pro in 1939 and Wladimir Klitschko would have had a much better pro career if he'd been born in 1950.

 

Good stuff:good My respects:happy

 

Jeffries and Johnson would have drawn a fortune, as their fight subsequently did ,the biggest fight up to that time, and, for a long time after.
N . B. You left out Johnson's reply to Jeffries
" I aint no cellar fighter".
Johnson ,wanted the title ,and to fight whoever held it.
IN A RING, FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
Jeffries did not have the balls to go for that, did he ?
NOW, ANTE THAT.:thumbsup

 

Genius is not the capability of choosing an era in which to perform (fate's domain) but in understanding, adapting to and excelling in the era you occupy. You can't really ask more than that of an artist, musician or fighter.

 

I think genius is as much overused a term as great is,and, probably just as undefinable.

 

The "Johnson ducking black fighters" story is played out.

Critics who bring this point up, fail to address the countless factors that would make a black vs black heavyweight title wight in the early 1900's improbable and a complete disaster.

The white public could handle a special case for a black man winning the belt. But two black men fighting for the belt would mean the white race was inferior. At least that was the logic back then. It doesnt matter if anyone offered money, the fight would not have happened in America. And Johnson took a particular liking to beating up white men in America. Wouldn't you? After all the **** you been through just for being black? Put yourself in his shoes, and ask yourself why you would go to Paris to fight Langford. So people on a message board in 100 years can say you did it, yet will inevitably find still find some other way to discredit your abilities or greatness?


Give me one LOGICAL reason as to why Johnson would or should have fought another black man for the belt, I will counter it with many reasons as to why not, and then you can decide which of the two sides of the argument presents reason and logical thought process.

 

Oh and its great to have you on the message board Mr. Boucher

By the way, can you tell us from a professional boxers perspective how you interpret the very limited, and mostly post-prime footage of Johnson that you see?

 

Sorry man, but your way of thinking is just off and doesnt address or pertain to reality.


How can you associate Johnson in his impoverished youth taking dangerous battle royal fights so he could have some money, to backing out of a silly challenge proposed by Jeffries? What so Jeffries can crack a bottle over his head and body slam him on the ground? Even if it were on level, Johnson would have to be really, REALLY dumb to accept that fight. Its insulting his intelligence. This isnt a comic book this is reality. Theres no pride of dignity is taking a fight where you have a chance to break your neck and end your career because a man, instead of accepting your challenge, proposed an entirely new one.

 

I agree.

It was a ridiculous challenge and Johnson was right not to acept it.