Harold Johnson vs Bob Foster. Primes.

[abraq]

These are the two best regarded LHWs of the sixties (well, if you leave out the Mongoose who was more interested in being a HW by that time). Harold peaked in the earlier part of the decade while Bob reached his in the later part.

If they had met in their respective primes how do you folks see it going? Thanks.

[Sweet Pea]

Hell of a matchup. I'd personally favor Foster's power and accuracy. He was a very crafty puncher as well as being a very powerful one, and I feel he'd slip in a big bomb against the much shorter Johnson at some point during the matchup. As good as Johnson was as a technician, I think he could be caught and/or hurt by the right kind of puncher, as proven against another crafty power puncher in Archie Moore, and I personally feel Foster was every bit as dangerous as Moore at LHW, especially given the height and reach advantages he'd hold on Johnson. I just have a hard time seeing the smaller Johnson consistently outboxing Foster over 15 without being tagged with something big. Stylistically this would probably be one of the worst matchups for Johnson.

[SuzieQ49]

harold shutout 6'3 excellent jabber nino valdez 10 rounds to Zero sweet pea. i dont think the height difference is that big of a deal.

[Sweet Pea]

harold shutout 6'3 excellent jabber nino valdez 10 rounds to Zero sweet pea. i dont think the height difference is that big of a deal.I think the power difference would be though. I actually think Foster was more of a calculated puncher than anything who used his jab to set his game up rather than to simply outbox opponents. He was a very crafty puncher and hugely skilled at landing the big bombs, and I think he would in this case at some point, whether it be a glancing blow, a body shot, whatever. I think it would set up the finish for Foster down the road.

[AREA 53]

Bob was not one of those punchers who if they didnt get you quick would fade and probably not get you at all, Bob could set his phasers to "Slow Poison" and Sicken you over a number of Rounds, Harold is hardly likely to threaten Bob with his Power, So Bob may not feel too concerned in adopting a purposeful stalking campaign, Harold was immensly Skillful, andit has to be said, if Ray Anderson could Wing it to the 15 round distence, Chris Finnegan Fight and Box to the 14th before getting stopped, as much from fatigue then the Power, and Mark Tessman get to the 10th, its not beyound the bounds of possibility that Harold can reach the final ferlong, ( i discount the Fourie fights, they can after Ali had left his mark on Bob)

But i feel for Harold a real craftsman, Bob would be very much up for this match, the Slow poison would be administered over the first 10 rounds, dont know why but i feel Bob drps a tired discouraged, banged up (by that Snakelike Jab) Harold a couple of Times to force the Surrender by the Ref ans a White Towel from Harols Corner - 12 Round sounds good to me, Bob tjhe Patient Stalker Happy to take his Time.

[abraq]

Good replies, though not as many as I expected to what I think is a really interesting match-up.

My assessment is that it is certainly within the realm of possibility that Harold Johnson would outbox Bob Foster for a convincing decision. But then, Foster was not just a gung-ho puncher. He knew how to take advantage of that rangy, muscular body of his which was capable of leveraging highly damaging LHW power shots. He knew how to bide for the right time and in his own way was a skilled boxer.

So Johnson would be up against it, in spite of his marvelous boxing skills.

4 fights. Foster takes 3. Johnson one.

[My2Sense]

Johnson is probably THE most underrated fighter ever IMO. Great technician, one of the most complete fighters ever.

Having said that, I think Foster's range and power would catch up to him at some point, but it's hard to count out Johnson. He was that good.

[mcvey]

These are the two best regarded LHWs of the sixties (well, if you leave out the Mongoose who was more interested in being a HW by that time). Harold peaked in the earlier part of the decade while Bob reached his in the later part.

If they had met in their respective primes how do you folks see it going? Thanks.
Johnson was stopped 4 times ,once on a cut, once on a back injury ,he had a good chin.Archie Moore
stopped him once in 5 fights ,though he had him down a number of times. I see Harold going the route ,but perhaps not doing enough to get the dec.Johnson wasn't a guy who peppered you with jabs then moved away, he liked to counter.Fosters considerable advantage in reach would mean that he would have to initiate more exchanges,than he customarily did.Foster was a patient stalker,I think he would take two out of a three bout series .

[teeto]

Foster for me, i will just utimately pick him if im only given one chance to make a pick, thats how i see it. Johnson arguably one of the best technicians this division ever saw, but Foster could box aswell, offensively really, but that means he was working his power shots in, not wading them in. He would be able to have some rounds where he could wreak havoc here imo, and they may just take their toll for a DECISION, a stoppage is on the cards, but i'll go with some of the clever ferocious stuff to seal a hard-fought decision for Bob in a fight where he gets tagged with good jabs himself, and pays for defence being open at times, which ultimately helps his own plan 'keeping sharp'.

[Russell]

Bob was not one of those punchers who if they didnt get you quick would fade and probably not get you at all, Bob could set his phasers to "Slow Poison" and Sicken you over a number of Rounds.

So well said it's scary.

Foster fought extremely relaxed at a pace perfect for himself. He could KO you in the first or the 15th.

Not a lot of fighter in history with late clutch power like Foster.

[ThinBlack]

Foster would probably catch Johnson late, like the 13th round, after coming back from an early round lead.

[itrymariti]

Foster gets dominated, beat down and eventually knocked out

[Jorodz]

i think the sturdiness of johnson, who could fight and dominate top quality heavyweights, is a serious factor here

[mcvey]

harold shutout 6'3 excellent jabber nino valdez 10 rounds to Zero sweet pea. i dont think the height difference is that big of a deal.
Particularly as Foster did not fight tall, like Terrell he leaned forward to punch. Johnson did a lot better against class heavies than Foster did, interesting match up.
l'll wait and read all the posts.

[DFW]

Foster was a brutal puncher at lightheavyweight but did not hold up as well against the heavyweights as Harold Johnson did. Archie Moore was as big a knockout artist as Foster and Johnson made it through five fights with him doing quite well. Moore did KO him late in the championship fight in which Johnson was winning up until the 14th round stoppage. I recall also Johnson dominating the dangerous Doug Jones over the 15 round limit. Foster wasn't as fortunate with Jones. In a fantasy matchup I would pick Harold Johnson to beat Foster.

[TartanSoldier]

I think Foster wins by horrible late stoppage after a valiant effort in keeping the scores close from Johnson up until then.

Would be a very technical fight consisting mostly of jabbing contests which is difficult to declare who would come out on top in for the most part.

I think Foster is an amazing LHW H2H.

[darling dame]

I loved both thes guys. Harold never got shot at Floyd or Sonny. He gave ol Arch all he could ask for. He had Arch beat until Arch hung ko on him in Garden in 14th of 54 fight!! I think that Mederos deal with the orange really hurt him Ive got both boys top 20 nlhs All-time . Bobby could bang he was great, he could do everything prety well I give slight nod to bobby over Harold.:happy

[GPater11093]

i think the sturdiness of johnson, who could fight and dominate top quality heavyweights, is a serious factor here

I think it is too, but for different reasons. Johnson was vulnerable to good punchers, and Foster is a great puncher.

However, I think Johnson's lateral movement jab and combinations give Foster fits, like Quarry showed movement was a problem for Foster but Johnson's going to blow this problem up with his shots off movements and really dominate at times.

Plus Finnegan showed that crisp straight punches down the pipe are hard for Foster to deal with, sound familiar? Johnson was the king of 'down the pipe.'

I think the most underrated aspect of this match up is Fosters chin, to me he never looked the sturdiness and looked like a cat splashed with water when he was hit. And Johnson was a puncher, truly, he could punch.

I'll go out on a limb here and say Johnson KOs him around the 11th or 12th after a great display. However, Foster is the smart type of puncher who could take Johnson out at any time IMO

[itrymariti]

I think Foster wins by horrible late stoppage after a valiant effort in keeping the scores close from Johnson up until then.

Would be a very technical fight consisting mostly of jabbing contests which is difficult to declare who would come out on top in for the most part.

Like Foster/Finnegan then?

[El Bujia]

Foster gets dominated, beat down and eventually knocked outI will dominate you and knock you out.

[TartanSoldier]

Like Foster/Finnegan then?
A little, just with almost every round being close and could go either way.