In defence of older fighters.

LeeSkye · 07-29-2004, 11:25 PM

I came across a web site that talked about Jack Johnson that I found very interesting. One part struck me in particular was this:

"Jack Johnson is widely regarded as the greatest defensive heavyweight of all time. In recent years some revisionists have tried to downplay Johnson’s defensive capabilities, which is an injustice to both the man and those who saw him fight. The key to understanding the defensive mastery of men like Johnson, Joe Gans, and George Dixon comes in their ability to block an opponent's leads. That is where the old masters like Johnson truly shined. You have to jab to get inside and to set up your punches and they could
block and pick off an opponent's jabs and counter. Trainer Eddie Futch said that Ken Norton gave Ali 3 very tough fights because he knew how to block a jab with an open glove and counter-jab (See Anderson pp 234-235).

An interesting comparison can be made by looking at two different boxing training manuals one published in 2000 and the other published in 1943 (Naval Aviation Training Manual 1st edition). The old National Police Gazette’s often had famous boxers demonstrate their techniques. Some of these types of techniques can be seen in the Naval Aviator boxing manual but are absent from the modern instruction book. The modern manual is not at all bad showing parries, covering, and ducking, slipping, as well as shoulder and forearm blocks. The older book however also explains stopping (or pinning/trapping), cuffing, weaving, shifting (quick shift, drop shift, rear shift), folding, and open glove blocking –catching the opponent’s leads in the butt of the glove. The older masters had a greater variety of defensive techniques at their disposal than what is being taught in most gyms today. "

Talk about the "lost art" of self defence!

You can read the whole article at http://coxscorner.tripod.com/johnson.html and it is very well documented.

djday45 · 07-30-2004, 07:29 AM

Cox's Corner is one of the best boxing sites out there, especially for historical fighters.
He even has an all time heavyweight tourney using TB (the former version I think).
Monte Cox is very knowledgable and friendly and will answer mails sent to him regarding the site.

rgds
Dean

07-29-2004, 11:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
LeeSkye All Star Starter Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Igloo Posts: 1,274	In defence of older fighters. I came across a web site that talked about Jack Johnson that I found very interesting. One part struck me in particular was this: "Jack Johnson is widely regarded as the greatest defensive heavyweight of all time. In recent years some revisionists have tried to downplay Johnson’s defensive capabilities, which is an injustice to both the man and those who saw him fight. The key to understanding the defensive mastery of men like Johnson, Joe Gans, and George Dixon comes in their ability to block an opponent's leads. That is where the old masters like Johnson truly shined. You have to jab to get inside and to set up your punches and they could block and pick off an opponent's jabs and counter. Trainer Eddie Futch said that Ken Norton gave Ali 3 very tough fights because he knew how to block a jab with an open glove and counter-jab (See Anderson pp 234-235). An interesting comparison can be made by looking at two different boxing training manuals one published in 2000 and the other published in 1943 (Naval Aviation Training Manual 1st edition). The old National Police Gazette’s often had famous boxers demonstrate their techniques. Some of these types of techniques can be seen in the Naval Aviator boxing manual but are absent from the modern instruction book. The modern manual is not at all bad showing parries, covering, and ducking, slipping, as well as shoulder and forearm blocks. The older book however also explains stopping (or pinning/trapping), cuffing, weaving, shifting (quick shift, drop shift, rear shift), folding, and open glove blocking –catching the opponent’s leads in the butt of the glove. The older masters had a greater variety of defensive techniques at their disposal than what is being taught in most gyms today. " Talk about the "lost art" of self defence! You can read the whole article at http://coxscorner.tripod.com/johnson.html and it is very well documented.

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07-30-2004, 07:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
djday45 All Star Starter Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,010	Cox's Corner is one of the best boxing sites out there, especially for historical fighters. He even has an all time heavyweight tourney using TB (the former version I think). Monte Cox is very knowledgable and friendly and will answer mails sent to him regarding the site. rgds Dean