By the time Jack Johnson got his title shot many years of prime fighting was behind him. Has any fighter had to prove himself so much in order to get a title? Joe Louis was the product of the legacy Johnson paved and he was the acceptable face of black boxing. Louis' associates refused to even let Johnson train Louis in case his reputation was tarnished. Both boxers are two of my ATG and I would dearly have loved to see them in my era. BIG, BIG and controversial question. In a 25 round x 3 min fight, in their primes, face to face, how do you think the fight goes?? :bbb
Jack Johnson was a scientific fighter. He predicted that Max Schmeling would knock out Joe Louis with an overhand right because Louis had a habit of dropping his left after jabbing. And of course, this is exactly what happened in their first fight. Both Johnson and Louis were fighters who exploited the weaknesses of their opponents. Overall, I'd say that Louis takes this one because he's the faster and stronger fighter. But Johnson might take the pre- Schmeling version of Joe Louis.
Funny side note, for a short time, Johnson called out Joe Louis! Jack Blackburn said something along the lines of, "That big cat dont give no one credit, he'd want no part of Chappie!"
If it's 25 rounds then the farther it goes, the better Johnson's chances get. It's pretty much 50/50 for me. I say Johnson UD.
Gloved boxing was much more developed in Louis' time and it showed. Johnson was used to his opponents making one, wild amateurish swing and then wrestle for twenty seconds and then repeat. Louis would crash in combinations and knock him out within 10 rounds, in my opinion.
Johnson's ring generalship and fleet-footed movement would be the difference. Especially over 25 rounds! Prime against prime I say Johnson wins a clear UD or triumphs via late stoppage. Big Jack was a more complete fighter than Joe Louis imo, even though Louis achieved more. And we're talking prime against prime. Would have been a fascinating fight!
Yeah, I reckon so. Johnson had never seen the types of combos Louis threw. I don't even think the 25 round limit makes any difference.