Harry Wills - Floyd Johnson

[APerno]

Does anyone know anything about the Harry Wills - Floyd Johnson fight (other than what BoxRec notes)?

Johnson's second throws in the towel 2:00 minutes into the first round; the State of New Jersey bars Johnson for life. He then quits the game (reappearing for one six rounder seven years later).

What I am wondering is whether Johnson showed up just to steal a final payday or whether Wills was pounding on him and he actually needed to be recused?

[Senya13]

Most reporters (I've seen over a dozen different next-day reports) agreed that Johnson didn't look groggy when his manager threw the towel to stop the fight. Several writers thought it was rather dangerous to let the bout continue much longer, fearing a right hand to the jaw from Wills could injure Johnson, who was out of condition. Most reporters thought Johnson was a very poor choice of opponent for Wills in the first place (but the managers of the club couldn't find a better opponent, nobody was too eager to meet Wills). A doctor examined Johnson in the dressing room after the bout and stated he was much weakened by the punches to the body. Platt Adams, chief boxing inspector of New Jersey, didn't think there was anything crooked about the fight, but also expected the bout to end quickly even if Charley Cook had not thrown the towel into the ring.

[APerno]

Most reporters (I've seen over a dozen different next-day reports) agreed that Johnson didn't look groggy when his manager threw the towel to stop the fight. Several writers thought it was rather dangerous to let the bout continue much longer, fearing a right hand to the jaw from Wills could injure Johnson, who was out of condition. Most reporters thought Johnson was a very poor choice of opponent for Wills in the first place (but the managers of the club couldn't find a better opponent, nobody was too eager to meet Wills). A doctor examined Johnson in the dressing room after the bout and stated he was much weakened by the punches to the body. Platt Adams, chief boxing inspector of New Jersey, didn't think there was anything crooked about the fight, but also expected the bout to end quickly even if Charley Cook had not thrown the towel into the ring.

Thank you for the info. -- BoxRec points out (as you did) that New Jersey was OK with the stoppage that day, but then two days later revoked his licence. I wonder if it wasn't because they thought he tanked the fight, but because they thought he was finished as a fighter and it would be safer if he stopped?

[Senya13]

They basically had nobody but themselves to blame, but they felt Johnson should have been more honest when he agreed to face Wills, should have "sensed" he wasn't ready for such a bout and at least warned the commission about it. That's my interpretation, of course.

1925-10-28 Trenton Evening Times (page 16)
In his statement, Commissioner Bugbee said:

"The Boxing Commission of New Jersey was very much humiliated and disappointed at the outcome of the Wills-Johnson fight and feels that an explanation is due the patrons of boxing.

"The Commissioner and Chief Inspector had seen Floyd Johnson in action less than two years ago and felt that he would be a reasonable trial-horse for Harry Wills. Permission to hold the contest was granted after careful deliberation. Apparently, their judgment was wrong as the results show.

'Floyd Johnson will be disbarred from future contests in this State. The Homer Robinson-Moody semi-windup was most unsatisfactory and the commission will disbar Robinson from participating in bouts in this State for a period of six months.

"In the future, it will be the policy of the commission to avoid contests of this character. It has been our continued policy to encourage the smaller boxing clubs throughout the State in order to provide suitable entertainment for the large number of citizens of this State who desire to witness good boxing, and this policy will be continued more markedly than heretofore."

[APerno]

They basically had nobody but themselves to blame, but they felt Johnson should have been more honest when he agreed to face Wills, should have "sensed" he wasn't ready for such a bout and at least warned the commission about it. That's my interpretation, of course.

1925-10-28 Trenton Evening Times (page 16)
In his statement, Commissioner Bugbee said:

"The Boxing Commission of New Jersey was very much humiliated and disappointed at the outcome of the Wills-Johnson fight and feels that an explanation is due the patrons of boxing.

"The Commissioner and Chief Inspector had seen Floyd Johnson in action less than two years ago and felt that he would be a reasonable trial-horse for Harry Wills. Permission to hold the contest was granted after careful deliberation. Apparently, their judgment was wrong as the results show.

'Floyd Johnson will be disbarred from future contests in this State. The Homer Robinson-Moody semi-windup was most unsatisfactory and the commission will disbar Robinson from participating in bouts in this State for a period of six months.

"In the future, it will be the policy of the commission to avoid contests of this character. It has been our continued policy to encourage the smaller boxing clubs throughout the State in order to provide suitable entertainment for the large number of citizens of this State who desire to witness good boxing, and this policy will be continued more markedly than heretofore."

Nice find, thank you. Certainly answers my question.

My assessment: Johnson was looking for one last good payday and he played New Jersey.

I went and looked at the undercard: four fights, a first round KO, a second round KO, and a DQ (that's the Robinson-Moody fight mentioned.) Not a good night for the State of New Jersey. At least they were honest with the public.

May I ask how you have access to the Trenton newspaper archive? I would be willing to pay a subscription. What I would really like is to get my hands on the New York Tribune achieves.

[klompton]

I have access to the NY Trib. I can get you the article tomorrow.

[APerno]

I have access to the NY Trib. I can get you the article tomorrow.

No, that's OK - Thank you very much; very kind. I don't need this article, can you tell me how I can get access to the Tribune's archive? I am willing to pay a subscription.

[prewarboxing]

This is how the bout was reported in the British paper "Boxing".

Miles Templeton.

[APerno]

This is how the bout was reported in the British paper "Boxing".

Miles Templeton.

Cool! Thank You.

[APerno]

LOL - I have been robbed for fights like that - I once paid to watch a kid in gym shorts and street sneakers throw himself to the canvas just as the opening bell rang. The opponent hadn't been able cross the ring yet, so couldn't have possibly hit the kid. The ref refused to count and just stood there looking down at the kid. The kid wouldn't get up. He wasn't counted out; he wasn't even DQ, (His seconds came in and pulled him to his feet; the kid was scared.) It was announced that NO Fight occurred. The kid didn't get paid. Or t least they announced the kid would't be paid. (Milander Convention Hall, Hialeah, FL circa 1989, Al Bannonie, Promoter).

I wonder if they tried to screw with Johnson's purse? Probably not, because it looks as though New Jersey didn't react until two days later; Floyd probably had the good sense to cash the check by then.

And it also reads that the preliminary which ended in DQ was a stinker as well; bad night for New Jersey.

[Senya13]

I don't need this article, can you tell me how I can get access to the Tribune's archive?

I suppose you want NY Tribune from 1923 and later, because the 1866-1922 run has been available for years for free at https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn ... 14/issues/
Unfortunately, I don't know where later issues could be found online.

[APerno]

I don't need this article, can you tell me how I can get access to the Tribune's archive?

I suppose you want NY Tribune from 1923 and later, because the 1866-1922 run has been available for years for free at https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn ... 14/issues/
Unfortunately, I don't know where later issues could be found online.

Thank you, I didn't know it could be accessed - I am not sure there was a NY Tribune after 1922.

[Senya13]

New York Tribune was merged with New York Herald in 1924, to become New York Herald Tribune, which lasted until 1966.