"There haven't been many HW fights better than this one." Harold Johnson's left hand.

It depends on what you like, but this really is an underated fight, a real jewel of a match if you're into technical battles where both guys are very active (and if you're not, you've probably come into Classic in by mistake).

What I think this fight really underlines is just how good Johnson's left hand was. I think it's one of the best in the history of the fight game. Whitaker, Buchanan, he's right there with them and he's 40lbs heavier. Ezzard Charles is past his best here, of course, but he also happens to be one of the best boxer's in history and is expert at countering the jab with the right hand. He has some joy here, but basically Johnson wins this fight by out-boxing a bigger boxer who I rank at #5 or #6 in all of boxing.

Johnson's jab is the definition of "sharp" or "crisp". He never lags. He snaps it out fast and hard and accurate off a planted front foot, but if you watch him circle he's able to get the entire mechanics of the punch fired off perfectly without a single second of waist, I mean he's not vulnerable for more than the absolutle minimum amout of time that it is possible to throw in, then he's on the move again. He doubles it up often and when he doubles it up the second punch is always shorter. Pure technicians are often there to be countered/bulled by faster/bigger men but Johnson really does tick all the boxes in terms of stepping off and coming back on balance for movement. He's awesome. He's also happy to lead with the left hook if he is on the spin and Charles is outside of his stance, which is perfect, and he catches Charles a beauty of a lead when Charles comes a little to square in round nine, as well as countering Charles as he starts to get more aggressive in that round. In fact if you're not one for watching the whole ten rounds (and I recommend it if you haven't seen it), just watch the first minute and a half of round nine, it's an awesome left hand clinic. That's the start of the fourth video.

I could bang on about this one all week, but enough of me nattering, here's the fight, all insights into any aspects and scorecards are welcome from anyone who watches/has seen it before.


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGEaBuH5ywY&feature=channel[/ame]


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfmQVRI4GNQ&feature=channel[/ame]


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B4my8jktmE&feature=channel[/ame]



[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctIp7uLTwr4[/ame]

 

Yeah, OF, it was definitely a flash rather than a slip for me, though I can see the referee's point because the reaction was very delayed.

GP I had it 5-5 last night, previous to that i've scored it 5-4-1 for Johnson. Overall, I like that Johnson got the nod, I felt he showed more in the 30 minutes.

 

As of right now this is my second favourite fight.

1 - Robinson TKO13 LaMotta



...



2 - Harold Johnson SD10 Ezzard Charles

3 - Israel Vasquez SD12 Rafael Marquez

 

I like that fight but Ezzard Charles isn't in it.

 

I mean I like Charles a good deal more than Pastrano.

 

The left foot comes off the floor for many left hooks. The point is that the foot should be in touch with the canvas when the punch lands. Johnson missed with that particular punch. Charles still new his business and then some.

 

Tell you what I did notice about that though, was that Johnson looked to put a jab right down the pipe upon missing to discourage any attempted counter. He really was magnificantly balanced.