Jack Johnson vs. Rocky Marciano

Johnson liked to make his opponents fight at the pace he dictated. Because fights were often scheduled for 25 rounds there were often long lulls in action. Johnson would not have this luxury against Marciano who was always on the attack and had great stamina. Johnson would probably cut Marciano and have him marked up but I see Rocky getting the kayo in a late round similar to how he got Walcott out of there.

Marciano KO 15 Johnson

 

As an ex member of the IBRO, you should be aware that the photos I posted of Choynsky and Johnson were taken in 1909, in Chicago,some 8 years after their fight.You should also be aware that as late as April 1906 , some 5 years later , Johnson only scaled 185lbs for the Langford fight.This is 23lbs below his optimum weight of 208lbs as he himself stated.
Also Johnson was 22 when he fought Choynsky.If you look at the photos ,you can see Choynsky is showing some signs of age ,he was 41 when they were taken.

 

SuzieQ said 168 for the Choynski fight. That seems a bit light. Many fighters in those days reported a lighter weight to make themselves look good for the press. For example Corbett said he was in the 180's for the Peter Jackson match, but the press felt he was heavier than that.

Johnson was a little quicker at 185-190 ( See the Burns fight ), and as long as he was fighting shorter or lighter men like a 156 pound Langford, he need not be 208. In fact 185-190 might have been better for him.

There is a Chicago news archive of photos. I never looked at specific dates, but I remember some early 1900's. Based on the photo shown, it appears Choynski had a slight reach edge over Johnson. In fantasy match ups a man with a 74" reach is at a disadvantage vs the skilled guys who have longer reaches and greater heights.

Regarding experience, Johnson had 24 recorded fights, and was a month away from his 23rd birthday when he fought Choynski. While not at his best, he wasn't very green either.

 

I would imagine Johnson was more than 168lbs for Choynsky ,but he certainly was not at his mature weight.Johnson ,unlike, say Jeffries was a very late developer, both physically and fistically.
Tommy Burns had a longer reach than Johnson, it didnt appear to do him much good.
Marciano's reach is given as 67'''on Box rec ,but it was 68-69''.Some 5 inches at least less than Johnson's

Johnson was 22 years old, and far from the finished product.
This thread is about a head to head between Marciano ,and Johnson , not anyone else

 

Don't put words in other peoples mouths. I said "168lb Around the time he fought Johnson". That is a lot different.

 

Vitali Klitschko had only a 79" reach. It appears he would be at a disadvantage against many.

 

Agreed

 

6'2 220 Jeffries was a LOT bigger and surely stronger than 5'10 185 Rocco

 

Jack wouldn't come back from even the second buzzing and dropping

 

Good points!

 

Jack wouldn't outlast the body punching

 

When he was 37 AND took a dive to avoid prison!

 

We can be sure that, like Archie Moor a generation later, younger Jack was eating a marginal diet

 

This is rubbish,you need to do some research.
Who were you last time you were here,before you were banned?