BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : JACK JOHNSON BOXING STYLE : A TIME LINE IMAGES OF THE GREAT MAN :

Johnson boxing style was very distinctive, he developed a more patient approach than was customary at that time, technically playing with his opponents often carrying on a conversation with the ring siders at the same time as he was fighting. Johnson would begin a bout cautiously slowly building up over the round into a more aggressive fighter. When annoyed he always fought to punish the opponents rather than knock them out endlessly avoiding their blows and striking with swift counter. He always gave the impression of having much more to offer   and if pushed he could punch powerfully. There are photos and films showing him holding the opponent up who otherwise might have fallen until he recovered. Johnson These were the days when the mostly white patrons like value for there money and it was a habit especially for Black boxers  to make the   fight last a respectable time.

Johnson style was very effective but was criticized in the press as being cowardly and devious. By contrast world heavy weight champion " Gentleman " Jim Corbett had used many of the same techniques a decade earlier and was praised by the press as "The Cleverest Man In Boxing"   Johnson beat former colored heavy weight champion Frank Childs on October 21st 1902. Childs has twice won the colored heavy weight title to claim him self the true colored champion. Johnson beat Childs in the 12th round by a T.K.O.    

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