Johnson's
boxing style was
very distinctive. He developed a more patient approach than was
customary in that day: playing defensively, waiting for a mistake, and
then capitalizing on it. Johnson always began a bout cautiously, slowly
building up over the rounds into a more aggressive fighter. He often
fought to punish his opponents rather than knock them out, endlessly
avoiding their blows and striking with swift counters. He always gave
the impression of having much more to offer and, if pushed, he could
punch powerfully.
Johnson's style was very effective, but it was criticized in the press
as being cowardly and devious. By contrast, World Heavyweight Champion
"Gentleman" Jim Corbett had used many of the same techniques a decade
earlier, and was praised by the press as "the cleverest man in boxing".
