Marvin Johnson Discussion

I like Pops. That Light-Heavyweight stretch from the mid seventies to mid eighties is probably my favourite ever era for the 175 pounders, which is my favourite historical weight class. Some of the fights which got served up between them were absolute classics and Johnson's first war with Saad for the NABF title was right out of the top drawer. Was also giving Spinks some problems early on with is inside work, industry and smothering before Spinks conjured up one of the most magical one-punch knockouts I've ever seen.

Don't know about you, Magoo, but I feel that Johnson would have benefitted from the Super-Middleweight division, which wasn't around during his peak years of course. He seemed slightly lacking in power and natural strength compared to some of his rivals and I think he kind of fell between being a shade on the small side for Light-Heavy, but at the same time being too big for Middle, where he won his Olympic medal. It cost him dear againstSaad first time out, in a fight which has similarities to Chavez-Taylor I; Johnson was putting rounds in the bank, but at the same time it was him taking the more severe punishment. He was winning the boxing match, Saad was winning the fight.

But overall I agree, underrated fighter. Nice to see him getting some recognition.

 

I liked Marvin. He never gave a dull fight and was pure action from start to finish. I do think, as stated above, he seemed to lack a little strength in the Lt. Hvy. division. He seemed to use his jab mainly as a rangefinder for his other punches. Had a great uppercut and solid cross. He completely destroyed an admittedly shopworn Galindez with a looping overhand left.

The thing I liked about him is that after he won each of his light-heavyweight titles, he didn't bother with a "soft" fight for his 1st defense. A lot of fighters do this, which is understandable. You want that 1st defense to be an easy payday. However, in his 1st defense after beating Parlov, he fought his nemesis, Matt Franklin, and in a great fight was stopped and lost his title.

After beating Galindez for his 2nd title go-round, his 1st defense was the always dangerous Eddie Gregory and of course, he was stopped then too.

Just a great action fighter. Anybody know what he is doing now?

 

I remember being in 6th grade and coming to school after he fought Mathew franklin (his name at the time). That was a war and my friends- there were three of us that were boxing at the time and another that took it up later- couldn't stop talking about it.
Marvin Johnson is rare in one particular capacity. Most fighters come to like their opponents, even become close friends as the years go by. I read an interview with him and Marvin still has a 'war' mentality towards guys he fought years and years ago.

 

His fights with Saad (Franklin then) are must sees.

He was a very good fighter, probably unfortunate to be in such a great LHW era. Eddie just destroyed him to the body. And Spinks, well, he's one of the best LHWs ever

 

Johnson was a hell of a fighter that fought in a murderous era .. the light heavyweights of Conteh, Galindez, Saad Muhammad, Mustafa Muhammad to Spinks and Qwai were some tough SOB's .. throw in Yaqui Lopez's , the James Scott's , the Bull Martins ... a hell of a tough group .. I'd pick almost any of them over a Virgil Hill who reigned over a pathetic division ..

Johnson was fast starting and very hard punching .. he had good speed and size, a solid chin and a huge heart . He was an exciting two time champion that would have been even more successful if his timing wasn't so brutal.

 

Indy boy here. I grew up with Marvin since his Golden Glove days.
Two other Indy fighters (who some will remember) all turned pro about the same time.
LW Norman Goins. Had all the tools but just became right-hand crazy after turning pro. Had Howard Davis on the deck twice at some point in his career.
MW Sammy Nesmith. Sort of a lighter version of Earnie Shavers. A HUGE puncher who could ice you with one shot but, if you could survive the first few rounds, he became a wilted pear ready to be had. Played basketball with him once, he was terrible. :yep
Back then we thought Norman would the guy to accend to the next level but it was Marvin.
His first 5-6 or so pro fights were at the Armory in downtown Indy and they pan fed him 'punks' to start out.
He almost punched himself out against KC's Johnny Words in one of his early fights but Words had no offense and was stopped.
His first 'big' test was against the rugged Canuck Gary Summerhays who, basically was all chin and no big punch to speak of. A clear decision.
Then he started to gel. A big card at the Convention Center in, I think, early 76 had him stopping rugged Eddie Davis. On the same card that night Lonnie Bennett got a 3rd round robbery TKO over Yaqui Lopez after butting him. Lopez decked him in, I think, the 2nd, and a wobbly Lonnie survived only to come out in the 3rd leading with his head. Lopez would have knocked him out.
Then came the initial Franklin scrap in Philly. As others have said, this is a fight the everyone shouuld have in their video library. They went toe to toe so often every round that it made it hard to score the fight!?
Another poster was right on this account. After stopping Parlov in Europe, why not take a couple of big paydays before going for broke. No, proud Marvin makes his first defense against Frankin at Market Square Arena in Indy ( I was ringside). Then, after dispatching an aging Galindez, he puts it on the line against IMO an ATG in Gregory (had his head been on straight). I think he's doing well here in Indy, no money issues that I've heard of. Does a few commercials here and there. I met his son about 20 years ago (he was a young security guard) A very nice personable guy (maybe a credit to Marvin's upbringing)
In closing Marvin was an exciting champ and contender.
Those 70's early career fights at the downtown Armory which we usually were 'self-medicated' :hey were something to remember.

 

good fighter his fights with Eddie Mustafa and Matthew Saad Muhammad were fantastic fights even if he lost. Always a fan

 

The first time I saw Marvin fight was the 1972 National Golden Gloves in Minneapols where he stopped my buddy Doug Demmings and then won the tournament. An above average light heavy champion who just didn't have the same steel in him that Saad Muhammad did and that was difference between the two.

 

Both fights with Franklin/Saad Muhammad were memorable wars. And his punchout of Galindez is one of my favorite all-time highlights.

Salute to Marvin, one of my favorites in that great era of 175-pounders. Thanks for starting this thread and giving me pause to think about Pops.

 

His fights with the Prince are underrated wars. Than again, Marvin fought a lot of wars.

His management team could have done a better job and got some larger paydays like his contemporaries got. Or done better in the opponent selection department. He sure didn't take the path of least resistence. He should have never signed for that spinks fight or Saad rematch.

I even liked it when he was older and they were touting Alvino Manson. And Old Pops made short work of that guy. he was also a real good interview.

 

Love watching him fight. He'd throw double and triple uppercuts a lot, which was interesting. Check out his first fight with Leslie Stewart, which is an underrated slugfest, particularly the first round!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpCrCnP0KQ4

 

Damn good fighter.Would've loved to see him fight Qawi.

 

I can not think that many. if any fans would have a bad word to say about Marvin...apparently lost to John Conteh as an amateur, pity they didnt meet as Pro's it couldnt of failed to be explosive, i'm not sure if he crossed swords as an amateur with any other of his Post-Foster Goldern Age 175lb compatriots, Marvin would of matched up well with any of them...Marv Johnson Vs James "Superman"Scott woiuld of been a Humdinger.. as Would Marv Vs Jorge Ahumada...Jerry "Bull" Martin ..Alvaro Lopez... he certainly added some colourful ink to the 70's Lightheavy Scene..