Old School vs New School Part I?
Harold Johnson vs Andre Ward; 12 OR 15 rounds, if you think it makes a significant difference.
Ward is bigger, but Harold was basically a lifetime LHW.
Who wins?
BQ: Who here thinks Harold is an extremely underrated fighter? He's one of my favorite old school guys, and I never see him get love. That guy was a beast who just happened to fight during the greatest LHW era ever.
Update:@ewwd: No doubt, I think SOG could easily go 15. Never seen him get tired or anything like that. He always looks fresh at the end of fights, just like Floyd does.
More Questions From This User See All
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Harold Johnson had a long career, he fought pro from 1946 to 1971, he fought the best at light heavyweight and even a few heavyweights. His opponents included Arturo Godoy, Archie Moore, Jimmy Bivens, Jersey Joe Walcott, Bob Satterfield, Ezzard Charles, Eddie Machen and Doug Jones. He was world heavyweight champion between 1961 and 1963 eventually retiring with a 76-11(32) record.
Andre Ward is one of today's standout talents, he can seeming do everything and is unbeaten in all his 26 pro contests, 14 by KO. I respect Ward because he has consistently fought the best over the last three years beating Mikkel Kessler, Carl Froch, Edison Miranda and light heavyweight Chad Dawson.
The fight would be a pick 'em. Although Johnson would be 2" shorter he would have three inches in reach over Ward and was bigger naturally. Ward is a super middleweight who could probably fight at light heavyweight, Johnson would boil down to light heavyweight but often fought and beat his days heavyweight contenders including decisions over Eddie Machen, Arturo Godoy, Doug Jones and Nino Valdez and a KO over Bob Satterfield. He also beat Ezzard Charles by SD the year before Charles' great fights vs Rocky Marciano.
I think this one would go the distance because neither are massive punchers and I agree that Ward could go 15, I think Johnson would take the decision in a close fight. My opinion may change as Ward's career goes on but at the moment I go for Johnson because he fought in such a great era, fought at a higher weight and beat such top class men.
Johnson UD15.
BQ: He is. I think you said yourself the reason why. Johnson was known as a light heavyweight and at that weight had the misfortune of coming up against Archie Moore five times, losing four.
Hello sir and great question. I cannot top my friend Hairdude's answer and totally agree with his assessment of the match. Ward is a tremendous fighter but Harold Johnson is one of those guys that fought in an era of great fighters and a man with great skill.