If Walcott Had Been One Of Jack Johnson s Challengers ?

If Johnson is allowed to use similar clinching tactics that he carried out in his era with the same sized gloves, I'd have to favour him to grind down Walcott and eventually stop him. 15 rounds I'd go with Walcott as Johnson's cautious style would leave him on the wrong side of a well fought decision.

 

Johnson struggled against tacticians, who could play him at his own game, because his game basically was outsmarting and outmauling the other guy.

Even so, it would be hard not to install him as the favorite, prime for prime.

If it was in the period after the Jeffries fight, then the odds shift quickly in Jersey Joe's favor IMHO.

 

Tough fight to call. Over 15 or less, and more modern rules, I could see Walcott winning a decision in a boring fight. Under the rules of Johnson's time and over more than 15 rounds, I see a Johnson win.