I linked this episode some time back but thought, why not again? Go to 12:15 and shortly after from there Vic makes ref to his exhibition bout vs Jack Johnson. They say it was 10 rounds but it was a 6 round exhibition. Vic admits to an awful licking. Scant details from contemporary report(s) describe Vic as going down from a body (solar plexus) punch very early into the first round (30 secs?). Thereafter, apparently Johnson took it easy but still showed off his wares enough to highly impress onlookers. It was also noted that Johnson easily outmuscled Vic in the clinches. Now McLaglen may not have necessarily been a world beater in the world of boxing but at 6’3” he was big, carrying a physique that at least exuded great strength. Tbh, VIC makes Johnson appear a bit puny in the side by side photograph. I believe their weights were 198 lbs and 211 lbs for Jack and Vic respectively - though Vic appears perhaps a bit heavier than that - same height roughly as Max Baer with comparable shoulder width but much more solid overall. Big family as the episode reflects - including the biggest of them all - famous 6’7” son/director Andrew V McLaglen who also directed his Dad in a few movies and television shows. I also believe that his brother Leopold (allegedly 6’6” himself) played imposter using Vic’s name in a few fights - with less than flattering results. He had passed in 1951 and apparently I love how Vic, like a big kid, playfully spars with each and every brother who comes out - good to see that he held off on his sister though. This content is protected
