How good was Harold Johnson?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by MarxP, Jan 9, 2011.


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  1. MarxP

    MarxP New Member Full Member

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    I've been watching a lot of his fights, studying his style and whatnot. However, I noticed he is generally not mentioned among the ATG's. This brings me to me question.

    Just how good was Harold Johnson?
     
    MarxP, Jan 9, 2011
    MarxP, Jan 9, 2011
    #1
  2. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He is mentioned amongst the ATGs, just not the top tier. He is among the best ever at lhw, a lock for the Top10. And he has a case for Top30, perhaps Top25 at hw too. Definitly a great figher and worth to study.
     
    bodhi, Jan 10, 2011
    bodhi, Jan 10, 2011
    #2
  3. Godfather

    Godfather I put the G in God Full Member

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    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE8xqtIkXsk[/ame]
     
    Godfather, Jan 10, 2011
    Godfather, Jan 10, 2011
    #3
  4. abraq

    abraq Active Member Full Member

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    How good was Harold Johnson?

    Really, really good. One of the best ever LHWs.
     
    abraq, Jan 10, 2011
    abraq, Jan 10, 2011
    #4
  5. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Is there anyone you would put above him as a technician?
     
    Bokaj, Jan 10, 2011
    Bokaj, Jan 10, 2011
    #5
  6. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Depends what you mean by that. Your classic, textbook technician? Perhaps Barney Ross, Ezzard Charles. Not many have a case.
     
    bodhi, Jan 10, 2011
    bodhi, Jan 10, 2011
    #6
  7. Il Duce

    Il Duce Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Harold Johnson was supposed to fight Sonny Liston for the Heavyweight Title in
    1963,,,,,,,proposed bout for the late-Summer or early-Fall.

    But he blew it,,,,,,,,,,by losing his Light Heavyweight Title to
    Willie Pastrano in June 1963, in Las Vegas.

    How things can change.

    A Sonny Liston vs. Harold Johnson fight in September 1963,,,,,,,,,
     
    Il Duce, Jan 10, 2011
    Il Duce, Jan 10, 2011
    #7
  8. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    Boxed Ears, Jan 10, 2011
    Boxed Ears, Jan 10, 2011
    #8
  9. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    In their meeting Johnson quite clearly came across as the superior technician IMO. Charles wasn't bad by any means, but made some mistakes that Johnson capitalized on. That wasn't prime Charles, though.
     
    Bokaj, Jan 10, 2011
    Bokaj, Jan 10, 2011
    #9
  10. Il Duce

    Il Duce Boxing Addict Full Member

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    A Harold Johnson vs Cassius Clay late 1963 would have been an interesting bout.

    Harold handled Doug Jones much more easily than Cassius.
     
    Il Duce, Jan 10, 2011
    Il Duce, Jan 10, 2011
    #10
  11. The Mongoose

    The Mongoose I honor my bets banned

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    I got the impression Johnson was technically superior in terms of execution and probably always was, Charles used his wits and punching power to hang with him.
     
    The Mongoose, Jan 10, 2011
    The Mongoose, Jan 10, 2011
    #11
  12. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    No shame on Charles, though, because Johnson was as good a technician as I've ever seen.
     
    Bokaj, Jan 10, 2011
    Bokaj, Jan 10, 2011
    #12
  13. Il Duce

    Il Duce Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Harold Johnson was as 'smooth as butter' when he out-pointed Marty Marshall.

    Which means,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
     
    Il Duce, Jan 10, 2011
    Il Duce, Jan 10, 2011
    #13
  14. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Taking all things in consideration, the Pastrano fight was a far less painful road to take, even if it was an unlucky one.
     
    red cobra, Jan 10, 2011
    red cobra, Jan 10, 2011
    #14
  15. Il Duce

    Il Duce Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Red,,,,

    The fight card 'wish' would have been

    * Sonny Liston vs. * Harold Johnson
    and
    # 1 Cassius Clay vs. #3 Cleveland Williams
     
    Il Duce, Jan 10, 2011
    Il Duce, Jan 10, 2011
    #15
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