Not against modern fighters, but in his own era. How impressive would his career have been. After 12 or 10 rounds, he probably would have almost certainly got the decision against Hart, I am not sure, but you would presume that the champion would find a way to win the fights (even if its a don king style judge) that were close during his reign due to him being out of shape. And he definitely beats Willard. How long would Johnson have retained the title in these circumstances. It is quite concievable that we could have seen the longest reign in the history of the sport which is something that is inconcievable but shows just how great he really was/could have been. My question, is how long could/would johnson have reigned, considering that within reason he could pick his own challengers and the number of fights he had. I am thinking that after Willard, Fulton would be next in line. Fulton was exposed by others and i think JOhnson might have been too good. Following Fulton, I wonder whether an older Langford might get his turn. Something which would have looked particularly good since Langford actually beat Wills a bit early in their series. This would take us right through, i think to the Dempsey era, which i think is where Johnson would most likely come unstuck. I can see his attraction to fighting a small white guy with a great KO record but who had been kod by JOhnson victim Jim Flynn and thinking he would handle him easily, much like Burns and others. I can see the old Johnson getting KOd and ending a 10 or 12 year reign in the fight of the century fight with the birth of a new All time great.
Too many's if's in that equation. You approach a match based on how long you know it may be. But what I will predict is this thread'll be turned into a 20-page argument why Marvin Hart is underrated and Johnson wasn't that good lol [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndqOzDUUYsI[/ame] youtube.com/eslubin
Regarding the Hart fight. W W Naughton wrote . "Though Hart's face was prodded into puffiness by Johnson's straight left he never faltered for an instant". " The indifference to punishment and great pluck displayed by the white man seemed to discourage the negro.Johnson, beyond doubt shows that he lacks that essential fighting qualification- grit." Randy Cobb versus Larry Holmes? "Fight Decision A ***** One" Los Angeles Times. "It was the opinion of all fair minded witnesses, that Johnson beat Hart". George Siler ,writing in the Police Gazette. You pays your money,and takes your choice. Maybe hated at home by whites ,but he got a good reception in the UK. What is that line? " without honour in his own country" http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=74810
