Jack Johnson vs Joe Louis

Johnson has the stylistic advantage here, but I think Louis just beats him anyway. He didn't need much.

Joe gets outfoxed, befuddled and then he knocks him clean out, is what I think would happen.

 

Got jack here or a split.

 

Jack beat a highly regarded huge puncher in McVey but he also lost to an aggressive boxer in hart.

Louis got timed to death against max in the first fight but adjusted superbly in the second and depending on timing depends on my pick.

Any time before the schmelling loss I pick Johnson. Any time after the Schmelling loss I pick Louis.

in a trilogy I'd probably go 2-1 Louis.

 

Jack Blackburn said that Jack Johnson would beat Louis because Joe was a stationary target. Jack Johnson was a moving target. Considering he was with Joe Louis that`s good enough for me.

 

I have heard this many times... I have heard many more times when the old fogey takes the guy from his hey day as beating the young whippersnapper. It is the norm, not the exception.

Johnson never fought a full sized combo puncher... nor one with the concussive power of Louis. Picking off single shots is a hell of a lot easier than picking off the 2nd, 3rd and 4th shots, especially when they are coming with the blazing speed and economy of motion that Louis offered.

Louis KO8.

 

Except for the fact in this case the Old Fogey was with the young whippersnapper. If he was going to be biased you would think it would be in favor of his own fighter wouldn't you?

It would be like Angelo Dundee picking Joe Louis to beat Ali while he was with Ali.

 

seamus does bring up a good point regarding Johnson. That is, how would he fare against a dangerous combination puncher like Louis. In all the films I've seen of Johnson he is blocking one shot at a time. Plus I can't recall seeing him against a good jabber. That doesn't mean that he couldn't handle a good jab or combination, he had cat like reflexes and was shifty. It's just that we've never seen it from him with the available footage we have. I'd love to see how he handles a double jab followed by a sharp right and left hook. Something we know Louis employed in his repertoire. Not the circling, waiting and swinging that was prevalent back in Jack's day. To be honest I can't decide though I lean toward Louis.

 

The best jab I've ever seen Johnson handle is Willard. The man might just the best single shot blocker in history and I'm entirely convinced he would stop the young reckless version of Louis.

But the one who tightened up his defence and developed that killer patience, he's gonna walk Johnson down throwing multiple shots with what is arguably better hand speed. Johnson will avoid and parry the first two but when 3 and 4 follow at close range he's gonna take punishment.

It might even be a come from behind stoppage by Louis.

 

I think the 15-round distance plays a huge factor here. Johnson was great at waiting his man out and frustrating him, but you do have to fight at a fairly brisk pace to win a decision over that distance. This may take Jack out of his comfort zone a bit, and Louis was as dangerous in the late rounds as the first round. 15 rounds against Louis is a nightmare for anyone.

 

Who were the best heavyweight Johnson beat that were closest to their primes? McVey and Jeanette were young and green. Langford was a small middleweight. Jeffries was shot, innactive and quite possibly believed he had the fight thrown for him. Where is there someone even in the league of Joe Louis so far as style or excellence as a heavyweight?

Meanwhile, Louis beat clever guys such as Pastor, Conn, Walcott, Schmeling. Sharkey and Braddock. Maybe none of these is quite Johnson. However, some are close and together they make a convincing sum.

 

The McVey win gets under sold a bit I think.

McVey had a big reputation and was a top contender when Johnson beat him. Infact until old he beat everyone he fought not named Johnson.

 

This is my thinking in the matter.

 

McVey, bless his soul, looks horrible on film, absolutely amateur level stuff by even 1930's standards. Maybe its just an unfortunate surviving example of his style. Langford didnt think much of his boxing abiility, either, if memory serves.

 

Denver Ed Martin was an excellent jabber. Johnson kod him for nearly 15 minutes. George Gardner was a fine jabber Johnson floored him twice and took an easy decision from him.Joe Jeannette was a clever fighter Johnson proved his master flooring him multiple times.At 37 Johnson was in front after 20 rounds against a good jabber in Willard .

How Johnson handles fast combination punching is the crux of it ? imo.

If a fighter is being considered on even terms with Joe Louis over a century since his prime, it is a pretty good argument for him having been a bit special I think. Eddie Futch picked Johnson, Louis,and Ali as his top 3 at the weight, I would have them as inside my top 4 . Who beats who?
Quien Sabe?:think