Let's say that Jack Johnson had not been charged under the Mann Act, and had been free to pursue his boxing career unhindered wherever he chose. To keep it on subject, let's focus solely on the impact that it would have had on boxing? Which fights get made, and which don't? What is the impact upon the lineage?
QUOTE="janitor, post: 19710217, member: 3871"]Let's say that Jack Johnson had not been charged under the Mann Act, and had been free to pursue his boxing career unhindered wherever he chose. To keep it on subject, let's focus solely on the impact that it would have had on boxing? Which fights get made, and which don't? What is the impact upon the lineage?[/QUOTE] Possibly McCarty would have had second thoughts about drawing the colour line if a title shot was dangled before him. GunBoat Smith put himself out of the running by losing to Carpentier and getting bombed out in the rematch with Langford.White America's attitude towards a black heavyweight champion would not have changed, so I'd guess remarkably little would have changed really as far as the US was concerned. The one factor that might have altered is Johnson probably would have fought both McVey and Langford in Australia, if he was in shape,[and I would guess he would know he had better be ,especially for Langford] I think he beats both and his legacy is significantly enhanced.
