Joey Giardello vs Harold Jonson

Johnson wins easily, he was also more consistent

 

It's been ages since I've seen footage of Giardello, but this thread just prompted me to take advantage of Pastrano vs Johnson on youtube. As Don Dunphy suggested, it could very easily have been scored a draw. Excellent way to blow off some time. I have to confess, on a peak P4P basis, I can't come up with a conclusion either, certainly not without investigating Giardello more.

Against Johnson, Pastrano was great with his jab and movement, abruptly beating him to the punch a couple times with surprising suddeness. Harold looked like he countered extremely well in close, particularly with rapid combinations to the body. While I knew that Torres had dropped Pastrano with that wicked left hook downstairs, I had been under the impression that his chin was impervious. But that was a wild jig Harold made him dance, 15 seconds into round 13, with that left right combo. Still, Willie fought back, rather than simply hang on as a survival strategy.

Two experienced pros with none of today's cheap trashy asperity displayed between them during the match, just respect. Conditioning did not seem to be a factor in their contest (as should always be the case in a 15 rounder), strictly skill and strategy. A lot of good head movement by both, slipping numerous blows upstairs. Harold didn't simply follow Pastrano around the ring at all times, but took sidesteps to try cutting the ring off. Sometimes he succeeded, but Willie frequently changed direction on him, not always circling left. How on earth was Torres ever able to reach him? His legs were virtually nonstop.

Johnson never seemed to throw single punches, except for an occasional jab. Whenever they closed, it always appeared he'd get at least two or three rapid fire shots in. His body attack looked consistent, but Pastrano didn't wilt as a modern boxer would under the same pressure. A rematch in 1963 or 1964 would have been well-justified.

Knowledgable audience cheering Pastrano's jabs (just as the crowd in New York cheered Archer's multiple jabs against Griffith).

Modern boxers wouldn't be able to perform as these two did. They'd either fight at a snail's pace, or gracelessly slug it out, not having the skill, conditioning or heart to evade and pursue like that without tiring out, let alone in the way that Pastrano and Johnson made look easy.

Classic and classy performance by both, highly recommended.

 

An excellent matchup for true BOXING afficienados by the way. Two great technicians that could go either way on a given night. Joey could conceivably tear a page from Willie Pastrano's book and back pedal and jab, making Johnson have to lead (which was a brilliant strategy for Willie). That might work, like I said, on a given night for Joey. but Johnson was sooo good, and with his advantage in size, would probably be able to edge Joey in this one. This is one of those type fights that fascinate me so much, that being a battle between two wizards of the ring, two savvy, ringwise wizards of the ring. Knockdowns and knockouts are not always necessary to provide thrills in this great sport.

 

Excellent post Duodenum, I agree with every word of it concerning the quality of fights and fighters of the past, and especially guys like Johnson, Giardello and Pastrano, who have always been favorites of mine.

 

To take the initiative was totally alien to Johnson,he fed off his opponents like a parasite,too big and powerful for Joey who would be too wily to be stopped Harold by U Dec.