BoxRec

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In the immortal words of Jess Willard (upon hearing this story Johnson told):

"If he did take a dive, why didn't he do it sooner? It was hotter than hell down there (in Cuba)."

Doesn't make much sense to more or less out-box, out-slug and beat Willard to a pulp for 15+ rounds, then wait to the 26th round to get "knocked out" now does it? Especially when the temperatures there were 110+ degrees IN THE SHADE. Alot of men and women were taken away from the stands that day, from heat exhaustion and there was even a change in referees during the contest. Willard on THAT day proved to be arguably the toughest man to ever step foot inside of a ring.

No, fact of business is... Johnson tried like hell, and out pointed, out scored, out thought, out fought Willard for a long, long time... and he ran out of gas before the giant man from Kansas could... Johnson was older, slower, etc. and he thought Willard would be a cinch. Besides if the story was remotely true, why is it the moment Johnson stepped on American soil that he gave himself up to police, and then served a year and a day in prison? If he was to take a dive, for reasons of getting off scott free, then he was either double-crossed or (the more reasonable answer) he was lying about the deal and the dive.

not going against anything you say......but in the article...and other quotes from him....johnson always said he was waiting for the signal from the missus to say they had the money and that didnt happen until round 26

Here's the problem with that "theory" though.... I believe it was following the 18th round, that the tide began to turn... Johnson was getting slower, taking more shots, and was obviously on the way out. Hell both men were dead tired. I have a hard time believing, that Johnson WILLINGLY took punches for almost another ten rounds before taking the dive--- cus before that 18th round (or so) Johnson was beating Willard easily, and from that time onward he started taking.

It would of been SUICIDE to of taken punches, willingly, and FLUSH over and over again from a man nearly 250 pounds who was arguably the strongest heavyweight to of ever stepped into a boxing ring. If he was waiting for a signal--- then he would of played it defensive, and not of taken abuse for nearly ten rounds before getting "stopped". No, he was in a real fight. Age, inactivity, etc. all caught up to him.

fair post