Back in the 70s, nobody was talking about old-timers such as Johnson as underdeveloped. In fact, it was taken for granted that the best old-timers were a cut above guys on top in those days such as Larry Holmes, Vito Antuofermo, Eddie Gregory or Danny Lopez. Only when the generation that saw the old-timers died out did the old-timers' standing begin to suffer. I am perfectly aware that we, being human, generally tend to overrate our own generation, but my point is I see no evidence of a gradual recognition of a leap in improvement, an "evolution" in boxing skills, up to and including the 80s. I doubt the old-timers such as Johnson were hapless bums. Steroids as of the 90s (along with the 12-round championship distance) have changed the game, particularly at heavyweight: there is greater power and career longevity, while cardio-conditioning for stamina is not as key. Guys like Jack Johnson and Joe Louis are "evolutions" by themselves: great fighters that come along and influence the game to the point of becoming "era builders" in that they inspire new generations with this or that emphasis (Robinson the dancer inspired Ali, for instance.) But the fundamentals of boxing I believe to be essentially the same, and I am picking Johnson because it seems to me he was a unique physical specimen who had mastered the basics and could likely frustrate Louis for the win.
Because 99% had no access to his or his opponents on speed corrected film, trusting contemporary accounts on how great a boxer he was. And he was, for his time that is.
What you describe is not jabbing. That's just a left hand followed up by a clinch. Jabbing is done from a distance to keep your opponent off balance, keep him from throwing punches, make him think twice about coming in, etc etc. A totally different thing from throwing a left handed punch and wrestling right after.
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