Jack Johnson on Dempsey, Langford, Fitz

Could be the gloves and tape they used.

 

Muhammad Ali fought with his hands down, and he dubbed Chuvalo "the washerwoman". Quarry lost to both of them.

 

That's reasonable. I think Godfrey has the better record.

 

Yeah, Jerry Quarry is hardly the poster boy for smart defense.

 

x2 really interested to see if it's true.

I don't think Johnson was on the money in regards to Tunney, he was more than a "fair boxer" I'd say he was the best to ever fight at Heavy up until that time, and I would favour him to beat Wills with his superior speed, footwork and workrate. Wouldn't be suprised if he stopped him late either.

 

I would also but I think Dempsey has an easier fight than Tunney does...Dempsey gets to Wills before the 5th IMO but Tunney a UD or a late stop if the opportunity presents itself

 

It's in the Cavanaugh book. I'll look it up later when I have time. If I remember correctly (and it's possible I do not), Wills rejected the offer which was to be an eliminator for Dempsey's title, in part because he thought he had already done enough for a title shot.

 

I can remember one news article where Tunney clearly stated that if he was going to fight any coloured fighter, it would be Wills and not Godfrey.

Of course, the thing that can often be overlooked was that at this time Wills was the second highest drawing fighter (behind Dempsey). A fight against Harry Wills was like a mini jackpot. Godfrey was younger (arguably as tough or tougher fight) and far less reward.

It is a shame that Godfrey Wills never came off.

 

I know that Johnson used to criticize Louis a lot in the papers after he became champ. Anybody know which papers and dates? I'd love to see where Johnson ranked Louis, to see if he'd give him due credit or place him back in the pack where he ranks Tunney and Dempsey.

 

Hmmmmm

Up to a point, but I am not sure that it would have given them a huge advantage over Dempsey, or even Louis necisarily.

It is striking that nobody since them, has been quite such an artisan at setting up a single punch finish.

Perhaps Jersey Joe Walcott is the nearest thing since them.

 

Cant see it myself.

If might be that Godfrey was better head to head, and a few people thought so at the time, but surely Wills had the better resume on paper?

 

Maybe, but Wills was beating the same old names over and over. He fought a lot of men who were in decline. Godfrey beat a fresher crop.

 

Think he probably just forgot about Louis. Quarry is sort of like Holmes in that he wasn't really impressed by anyone, even if being soundly beaten by them, and maybe a little full of himself. This includes both Frazier & Ali. After Ali won in 70 Quarry said, "This guys the best in the world" sort of unimpressed.

Wouldn't surprise me.

 

I find it funny a bit when he talks about how "guys from my day were better" and make Tunney and Dempsey sound weak, too 'Modern" Every generation thinks theirs was best I guess.


The one punch thing he keeps mentioning is part of history, boxers went for that one shot till Dempsey era, combinations were not big thing.

 

You have to wonder if some of the black art of the single punch set up might have got lost along the way.