BoxRec

Who would win in their prime at light heavyweight between former champions Harold Johnson and Joey Maxim? Both had good jabs and they both moved well. They fought in the same era, but Johnson's youth and speed would overwhelm Maxim with his jabs and counter punches to take a 15 round decision. What do you think?

Interesting match up because both boxers had a tough time with Archie Moore. I would lean toward Johnson.

Scypion wrote: ↑11 Dec 2018, 15:50 Interesting match up because both boxers had a tough time with Archie Moore. I would lean toward Johnson.

Johnson fought Moore, more. LOL!

oogiebe wrote: ↑11 Dec 2018, 15:53

Scypion wrote: ↑11 Dec 2018, 15:50 Interesting match up because both boxers had a tough time with Archie Moore. I would lean toward Johnson.

Johnson fought Moore, more. LOL!

Like literally five times.

oogiebe wrote: ↑11 Dec 2018, 15:57

oogiebe wrote: ↑11 Dec 2018, 15:53

Scypion wrote: ↑11 Dec 2018, 15:50 Interesting match up because both boxers had a tough time with Archie Moore. I would lean toward Johnson.

Johnson fought Moore, more. LOL!

Like literally five times.

I'll go with Maxim on ring resume and size.

I'd go with a clear Johnson win

Johnson might be one of the most under rated fighters you can name.

Maxim basically waited SRR out and let him wear himself out for that win, SRR basically beat himself.

Harold at LHW would have his way with either of these guys.

BoxBuzz wrote: ↑11 Dec 2018, 16:41 I'd go with a clear Johnson win

Johnson might be one of the most under rated fighters you can name.

Maxim basically waited SRR out and let him wear himself out for that win, SRR basically beat himself.

Harold at LHW would have his way with either of these guys.

Pointless to argue, but I discount SRR's loss to Maxim. He was clearly winning the fight. Even the ref got heat stroke and had to be replaced. I'll watch a few Johnson fights, if I can find them and maybe I'd change my mind.

Johnson was scheduled to fight Liston in March 56,but injured his shoulder and Marty Marshall subbed, fighting Sonny for the third time. I would even be reluctant to bet against Harold if that fight would have been made. It might have revealed Sonny's vulnerability to a master boxer.

BoxBuzz wrote: ↑11 Dec 2018, 16:47 Johnson was scheduled to fight Liston in March 56,but injured his shoulder and Marty Marshall subbed, fighting Sonny for the third time. I would even be reluctant to bet against Harold if that fight would have been made. It might have revealed Sonny's vulnerability to a master boxer.

You are making me rethink Buzz. I'll troll a few highlight reels and get back to you.

He beat Eddie Machen and Doug Jones and Archie ....one out of three. Not sure if he fought Bivins?

Hard for me to decide. Neither had KO power and Johnson did have reach advantage which plays into his game. I'll stick with Maxim, for same reasons stated earlier. But you really made me squirm.

oogiebe wrote: ↑11 Dec 2018, 16:55 Hard for me to decide. Neither had KO power and Johnson did have reach advantage which plays into his game. I'll stick with Maxim, for same reasons stated earlier. But you really made me squirm.

He beat Bivins, BTW.

BoxBuzz wrote: ↑11 Dec 2018, 16:54 He beat Eddie Machen and Doug Jones and Archie ....one out of three. Not sure if he fought Bivins?

Besides beaten Machen Jones, Moore (albiet only once out of 5) and Bvins, but he also beat Nino Valdes,a heavyweight contender who gasp, was much heavier, much taller, had a longer reach!

I would go with Johnson simply because he was better. Maxim was very good, there really wasn't anything that he was better at than Johnson. Johnson was about as technically sound a fighter as you will find. He would win something like 4 out of 5 against Maxim.

BoxBuzz wrote: ↑11 Dec 2018, 16:54 He beat Eddie Machen and Doug Jones and Archie ....one out of three. Not sure if he fought Bivins?

Yeah, he beat Bivins too.

Johnson is one of the most underrated boxers ever. I absolutely love his style.

I'd pick him to beat Maxim. If Johnson came in a different era he'd have reigned for years and years but The Old Mongoose was in the middle of a 10 year reign.

chrisjs1985 wrote: ↑12 Dec 2018, 18:11

BoxBuzz wrote: ↑11 Dec 2018, 16:54 He beat Eddie Machen and Doug Jones and Archie ....one out of three. Not sure if he fought Bivins?

Yeah, he beat Bivins too.

Johnson is one of the most underrated boxers ever. I absolutely love his style.

I'd pick him to beat Maxim. If Johnson came in a different era he'd have reigned for years and years but The Old Mongoose was in the middle of a 10 year reign.

I love and admire Harold Johnson's textbook style too.

Harold was a little bit better than Joey. He would probably take a close decision over him.