Why Is Jack Johnson Given Credit For Beating Jeffries

Look I'm not here to rip Johnson as I am a huge fan of his and believe he was one of the very best that ever lived. MY point is simple. His chin was not one of his major assets and he knew it which was why he fought the style he did ...how many times have we read about frustration over Johnson taking no risks ?

 

There is a bit of exaggeration here...

Jeffries was on his way out as Johnson was coming into his own. I don't think he ducked him for years. Months after Jeffries retired, Johnson was beat by lowly Marvin Hart.

And while the age gap between Johnson and Jeffries was 3 years, the difference between Johnson and Willard was 2 years and 3 months.

Jeffries was a truly depleted fighter in Reno, not in great shape. Ketchell had attended Jeffries camp, watching him be beaten by mediocre sparring partners day after day and wanted to KO Jim in the ring before the fight, to spare him the indignity which followed. Jeffries was simply the faintest shadow of the athlete he was six years before.

I will grant you that Johnson spanked Jeffries. When he was motivated he was a very difficult fighter to beat, a smothering, strong opponent who was also quick on the outside. However, he was also wildly inconsistent and easily distracted.

 

I haven't read a post in this thread that gives Johnson much credit for his win over Jeffries ,and I think that is correct, the man was a shell.
However, it does amuse me to read a poster stating that Jeffries was in front after 10 rds.
Ringsiders said Johnson handled Jeff as he wanted.
The film shows him laughing and grinning,and it is a matter of record he carried on a running conversation with Corbett throughout the fight, as well as throwing jibes at Jeffries.
It was cruel ,and unpleasant, but so were the indignities heaped on Johnson leading up to the fight.
Jeffries was even introduced as the unbeaten Champion.Jack enjoyed himself that afternoon in Reno and he had every right to.

Johnson wanted to inflict prolonged punishment on Jeffries ,and he succeeded, when he went to work on Jeff he soon had him in trouble.
IMO. This was the last time Johnson was ever totally focused, and in top shape for a fight.

 

My thoughts exactly.

Though a devil's advocate would claim that had the fight been contained to the 15 round limit Willard may have fought differently, I tend to think based on the film that I saw was that Johnson was by and large the better fighter and that he had the skillset to have beaten Willard within the 15 round Championship limit even at that stage of his career.


He Grant:

Johnson taking no risks lead to a frustrating but effective style. The idea is to hit and not get hit. Jack fought enough solid fighters to suggest that at some point he would have tagged and KO'd. I think his beard was sturdy.