Hart’s Face Beats Up Johnson’s Fist
On a March night in San Francisco, heavyweight contender Marvin Hart proved pure aggressiveness could sometimes win a decision. After 20 rounds of boxing, referee Greggains, the only judge, awarded the decision over the great Jack Johnson to Hart.
Marvin Hart in 1902
Hart met Johnson on March 28, 1905. Johnson entered the ring as the betting favorite. He also entered as one of the most hated men in America. Jack Johnson was a black man in the early 20th Century who refused to be deferential to white men.
Most boxing experts viewed Johnson as the greatest fighter at the time with the exception of James J. Jeffries. As Johnson would show in 1910, Jeffries was not his equal in the ring either. Johnson would make most lists of 10 greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.
When Johnson and Hart met, Hart was campaigning for a shot at Jeffries’ title. Little did they know, Jeffries would soon retire fro the riing.
Johnson’s skill was unparalleled but he was a defense first fighter. Johnson avoided being hit until he could pound out his opponent.
Hart possessed a pressure style where he would continuously be the aggressor. The style difference between the two men would lead to Hart’s victory.
For most of the fight, Johnson parried Hart’s blows and frequently struck Hart. By the end of the fight, Hart’s face was a swollen, bloody mess. If the fight was judged on appearance, Johnson would have taken the laurels.
Instead, Greggains awarded Hart the decision based on his pressing style and one solid blow which almost knocked Johnson down in the eleventh round. Johnson showed disbelief and anger at the decision.
Based on the times, it is easy to accuse Greggains of discrimination in awarding the decision to Hart. It may have been. It could also be a case of Greggains believing the aggressor wins a fight. It is not unheard of in combat sports. It is also the reason you have three judges not one to decide contest outcomes.
The Great Jack Johnson Who Fought Into His Fifties
Both men won the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship. Hart beat Jack Root for the vacant title after Jeffries retired. Johnson defeated Tommy Burns in 1908 for the World Championship.
Johnson would be the first African-American Heavyweight Champion and last until Joe Louis in 1937. Boxing promoters would not let a black man fight for the championship for almost two decades after Johnson.
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