Johnson was dirty in the clinch, pinching Moran's biceps. Read on about Jack's fouling. News read: "Thus Moran was considered a meaningless pushover when Jack Johnson announced him to be the next man to get a shot at the title. Johnson, convicted of a federal morals crime, had fled the U.S. and was now living a glutton's life in Paris, France, where Moran traveled to meet him for the contest. Most regarded Johnson's lack of enthusiasm for training and fighting as being the real reason for his selection of the challenger, and not any accomplishments on the part of Frank. On June 27, 1914, at the Velodrome d'Hiver in Paris, Moran gave it his best effort. The overweight and unprepared champion was sluggish, which allowed openings for "Mary Ann" on several occasions. It was a shoving, punching, wrestling, and fouling match fought at close quarters in the center of the ring. The challenger surprised many by winning several rounds. This content is protected This content is protected As the fight drew into the closing rounds, rumors circulated through the arena that the title was about to change hands. When the fight ended, however, referee Georges Carpentier, himself a "White Hope" contender, awarded his decision to Johnson, who could consider himself lucky to have stayed on his feet for the full twenty rounds."
My news reads have the name of the newspaper and the date on them. I have around 15 contemporary reports of the fight, plus 5 books on Johnson,Johnson was warned once for hitting on the break. "Overweight and underprepared ,"and 36 years old Johnson still won the fight easily ,it's all there to read and to any objective viewer,the fight film shows he was never at any time in trouble. You believe what you wish, I'm sure nobody here has any interest in trying to convert you to the thruth. I'm not getting into a ridiculous argument with a hater who has been schooled already by another on this thread. Its like trying to explain facts to Ras Al Guhl Impossible and unprofitable,just a complete waste of time and effort.
Nothing on the film suggest that Johnson was "lucky to have stayed on his feet". Jack was perfectly fine in late rounds and if anything, Moran was beaten and hurt.
It was reported before the fight that Johnson would get $35,000 and Moran $5,000. Johnson was a 3 to 1 favorite. There was a crowd of 30,000. [url]Georges Carpentier[/url] was the referee and sole judge. The 20-year-old Frenchman, an admitted admirer of Johnson, was the reigning European Heavyweight Champion and future World Light Heavyweight Champion. The St. Petersburg Daily Times reported the following on June 28, 1914: "The battle was hard fought, but Johnson won easily. Moran was game and stubborn and did most of the leading. Johnson's superior skill was effective and his upper-cutting wore Moran down and won the contest. . . . There were no knockdowns, or anything resembling a finishing blow in the fight. At the close Moran's face was bleeding from a cut under the nose and left eye. Johnson showed no marks". "The truth is that the promoter was convinced Johnson was finished as a fighter and that Moran could beat him and would then be worth "a fortune of money." He was further convinced of this when Johnson, out after some extra money before the Moran bout, broke a small bone in his left arm while fighting a heavyweight named Battling Jim Johnson. McKetrick could not endure the thought of Ike Dorgan cutting in on his expected bonanza. In this implacable mood, McKetrick decided that nobody would get anything until matters were arranged as he wanted them. Using a claim against Moran for a $1,497 advance as legal excuse, he instructed a French lawyer to tie up the entire amount in the box office the minute the fight was over. When the fight took place, before a fashionable audience at the Vélodrome d'Hiver, McKetrick saw he had been terribly mistaken about Moran's chances. It was true that Johnson was not in first-rate condition, but his superlative defense held up, and he was able to evade the dreaded Mary Ann and give Moran a severe beating without the full use of his left arm. Johnson had a rather preoccupied air, for he had heard rumors of writs and lawyers and knew but too well that this always meant trouble. And, as he feared, he was told after the fight that French police had grabbed the money and taken it away. " Finis Farr. Sports Illustrated.June 22nd 1959. Maybe we can get back to Jess Willard now?
It’s important when investigating a bout from over 100 years ago to obtain a consensus of opinion via many sources. Many reports are tainted in regards to Johnson as the white public predominantly hated him. Watching the film of the bout there is no indication whatsoever that Moran was anywhere close to beating Johnson.
Worth noting McCarty didn't want to fight Johnson. I think he wanted to wait until they were both older.