This is a hard question to answer or prove but the really good black HW's of 1900-20 fought one another multiple times, ie Jack Johnson, Jeannette, Langford, McVea, Wills, Clarke, Jim Johnson, Norfolk etc. How many of the fights were set-up, pre-arranged of how many or all were up front fights?
I can't say I know too much about the fights but I'd say that many were legit, some fakes. For example Wills had a couple of fights where he and his opponents were "going through the motions", or stalling against McVea and Jack Thompson. In these cases the spectators and officials realized that the fighters were not giving their all. I'm sure when you fight the same opponent numerous times, not for a possible chance at the world title but simply for the money, chances are that you won't go all out against an opponent who in the end is fighting for the same cause, to make a living. In many cases these fights were highly competitive but in other cases they were little more than sparring sessions.
yeah. got the same vibe myself, just trying to get something more definite-eg Clarke beat langford and Jeannette at their peak. if legit he's a hell of a fighter or were they teasers for more lucrative return bouts?
I agree. I think in the 10's-20's like another poster mentioned, boxers carried fights more often, in attempt to satisfy the crowd. 30's-50's is where outside entities had their hands in matches, manipulating the results. Such men were mobsters.
