The Moore vs Johnson rivallry/ Harold Johnson Appreciation thread

Johnson was throwing and missing more, pardon the pun, while Moore threw more singles that would land. Johnson's combination throwing is tiring especially when your made to miss. Johnson seemed to get a little tired while Moore came in strong in that 5th fight and I'd put it down to Moore's greater efficiency and making Johnson come to him as he'd counter. That and Johnson not being as defensively savy as Moore

 

It's a vague recollection, but Moore's failure to defend against Harold in a sixth fight (over the vigorous and combative protestations of Moore manager Jack Kearns) is what ultimately ended Archie's reign at 175, as each of the governing bodies successively withdrew championship recognition. It's unfortunate Moore got his title stripped like this, as it's no sure thing Harold would have dethroned him even at that late date. I can't see Johnson lasting the distance against the razor sharp Mongoose of the Durelle rematch. (Scary thought, but Archie's peak performance may actually have come in that final defense of the undisputed light heavyweight championship!) Right to the end of his career, Moore was a nightmare under 175 (as his rematch reversal and domination of Rinaldi demonstrates), and he had the psychological advantage of having stopped Johnson in their last match.

 

Johnson was perhaps too mechanical to match up well with Moore, especially when you consider Moore hit a lot harder than your average intuitive cutie.

Maybe mechanical isn't the right word really, but i do think if Johnson had a flaw it was he was often too polite and rigidly stuck in his ultra precise textbook approach.Think a similar category to Winstone, Ohba, Riardo Lopez etc...masterful textbook technicians , but guys that can't really slug and almost always fight out of their proper boxing stance.

Moore wasn't as good a pure boxer sa far as strict outfighting and jabbing goes, but his intuitive, loose counerpunching and excellent power were a good foil for Johnson

 

His speed and sharpness were frightening in that one. He was clearly on his guard after what happened the first time they met. When Archie was light and in top shape under 175 pounds, he elevated his boxing to another level, and never really diminished when competing within that division.

If I may interject here, the perfectionist is at best a superb copycat, and Harold has been lauded as perhaps the most technically proficient of all champions.

Again, if I may interject, Johnson has been accused by some as being reactive, not initiatory. Pastrano dethroned him by running, true, but Willie was also initiating the punching like Young did against Foreman, getting off first with his jab. Harold countered well with a dedicated body attack, but he needed to make the fight and cause Pastrano to pay for his running on the scorecards. Instead, Willie kept getting off first with flurries of jabs, then tied up Johnson before Harold could get off more than a couple of counters to his body. I thought it was a good decision.

 

No i wouldn't say he lacked imagination per se, but just that the styles mesh was one that probablyallowed for Moore to read his moves the easier of the two.Moore's bigger power and ability to hurt Johnson with it if he wasn't careful is the other likely key.

Can't really say for sure without seeing the full fights though imo.