Post 1911, which of Jack Johnson's contemporaries do you think could have beaten him?

Hm, Langford has a good shot imo but no one else has more than a 50/50 chance, espacially if he would be able to set his fights for around 20 rounds.

 

I think that the only guys who could have done it are Langford and Jeanette. I might even make them favourite at this stage.

I suspect Johnson would have still beaten Sam McVea or Gunboat Smith.

 

I hate to anger langford fans out there.....but as long as jack johnson was near his prime....langford really did not stand a chance against him at any point. I watched film of langford and johnson, johnson was too good for him.ALWAYS WOULD HAVE BEEN. little sam would have always been thrown around like a ragdoll vs jack and pummeled on the inside.

 

Which he wasnt after the Jeffries fight.

 

Exactly Langford just never had the style to be competitive with Johnson, like Toney didnt against Jones, like Liston didnt against Ali

I'd say Wills was the man that may have dethroned Johnson BUT Johnson was a tough man to dethrone, the Willard loss was as much a conspiracy and his age as anything

 

Wrong. Johnson near his prime beat a 156 pound Langford. However, as Sam matured as a heavyweight ( 170-190 ), he was much stronger and heavier. Langford capped many of the same guys Johsnon fought in half the rounds. I take it you have not seen Langford in action vs Lang? That Langford could have beaten Johnson.

Sam was very strong, and did not stop punching. Quick handed and rather skilled too.

I beleive Langford, Mcvey, Jeanette, or Gun Boat Smith could have defeated Johnson post 1911. In truth, journeyman Jim Johnson was robbed into a draw in his title fight with Jack. I've got the news review.

Johnson from 1911-1915 was not a world beater at all.

 

I think complacency was the only thing that would have beaten Johnson during this time. It tried and failed as it was. Langford probably had the best chance, but i think that Johnson would have made sure he was in good shape for a Lanford fight and would have won.

 

Well, adding that Langford was more of an offensive fighter than Johnson and Johnson´s habbit of carrying his opponents diminishes LAngford´s quicker wins somewhat. Or do you whink Tyson is greater than Ali because he knocked people out quickly?

 

Its not only that. I think Langford was more durable, had more variety in attack, threw more punches on film, and was far more battle tested by beating better fighters while Johnson was champion. I also think Langford had a better fighting heart.