Why do people say Johnson v Ketchel was staged?

Excellent musings. Smith himself said that Johnson was a nice guy and that they were friends. He had issues with Jack later, totally unrelated to race - I think it was to do with Johnson getting a “big head”’during his reign and perhaps going out of his way to stir up the white establishment. Mind you, Smith still used the N word when referring to Johnson on occasion - so acceptable that term was unfortunately back in the day.

 

While on the topic, Gunboat Smith and Johnson grappling and sparring in 1909: -

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Sure, that particular incident (knocking through the ropes) is reported and multi sourced. I’m talking more about claims otherwise and the alleged rehearsals for the fake KD.

 

Good information here, thanks to all who contributed. I found this topic while reading "Unforgivable Blackness" and after watching Ketchell vs Johnson fight.