How good was Harold Johnson?

Liston against a supreme technician like Harold is interesting, though. Especially how Johnson could punish Liston's technically deficient jab. Every time Charles overreached with his punches against Johnson he got punished. Liston had longer reach than Charles, but was also slower...

In the end Liston should be too strong and powerful for him, but there could be some embarassing moments on the way for Sonny.

 

It may have been a 'slow paced' fight.
Not the 'wild' versions of the Patterson fights.

With the bigger Sonny, by 30+ lbs. just wearing Harold down.

 

Yes, until Harold got worn down or just caught. Johnson was, in his defense, just not big enough for Sonny.

 

True.

 

Could it have gone 8 to 10 rounds.
Howard King, not on Harold's level took Sonny 8, and
faded, but tough 185 lb. veteran Willi Besmanoff went 6 full Rounds, without going down.

 

Very great and one of if not the best technicians. I love watching him and wish there was more footage of him. I'm a purist so I really do love watching guys like him fight. Not a fan but an admirer of his style and his victory against my man Charles is one of my favorite losing efforts. Great light heavyweight and some felt he beat Pastrano. I wish there was a better quality version of that fight on yt.

 

I love that Pastrano-Johnson fight..it was hotly disputed...that decision...but it was a great technical/defensive fight that I always enjoy watching.

 

I am a very big fan of Harold Johnson, I consider him one of the very best technicians of all time alongside Barney Ross, Ezzard Charles and Bernard Hopkins, but I would say Johnson is the top of the lot, in technician terms.

I actually wrote him a letter recently, I hope he received it, mainly just to see people still give him his just dues.

 

Nice touch. Do you know if he quit boxing in good health?

 

Where do you find Harold Johnson? Is this on Youtube? I have two of his fights on DVD and that is all I could find.

 

I'm not sure Bokaj, I think he is alright, although he must be quite an age now. I remember HHascup mentioning something about him showing his fights in his retirement home, but that could have been a few years back, and he was in good health.

I'm actually pretty sure a member on here told me they visit him occasionally, I'll try and remember and shoot them a message.

 

Quality stuff.