1881-1883
-Johnson was reportedly unbeaten early in his career;
Some sources report that he defeated 4 opponents
in bare-knuckle contests and 22 opponents in glove
contests
1883
Oct Barney McGuire's Unknown New York, NY SCH
-This bout was scheduled and held; The outcome is not known
Oct Gus Lambert New York, NY EX 3
1884
Jan 10 Black Diamond (Harry Woodson) New York, NY W 3
Jan 29 Tom Hinch L 9
Feb 13 Black Diamond (Harry Woodson) New York, NY EX
Apr 18 Charles Lange near Columbus, Oh D 4
-Johnson downed Lange several times; Police intervened;
Some sources report "D 3"
May 10 George Godfrey Boston, Ma D 6
-Some sources report 05/10/1883; Police intervened;
Reports vary - "NC 4" - "D 3" - "D 4"
Jun 24 Billy Wilson New York, NY D 3
-Police Gazette Colored Heavyweight Championship;
Members of both camps "broke" onto the stage when
Johnson threw Wilson in the third round; Police
intervened and the bout was declared a draw;
Some sources report 06/28/1884
1885-1886
Al "Fish" Carter W
1886
Jul 5 George Peters Detroit, Mi L 10
-Johnson failed to knockout Peters
Sep 17 Black Hunter Milwaukee, Wi KO 1
Oct 17 Tom Hinch Milwaukee, Wi D 10
-Some sources report 10/16/1886
Dec 2 Billy Wilson St. Paul, Mn D 10
Dec 18 Pat Killen St. Paul, Mn EX 5
1887
Feb Billy Wilson St. Paul, Mn SCH
-This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Mar "Black Frank" Taylor St. Paul, Mn D 8
May 19 Black Pearl (Harris Martin) Minneapolis, Mn D 10
1888
Jan 25 George Godfrey Bloomfield, Co WF 4
-Godfrey knocked Johnson down 3 times; The referee
first ruled Johnson winner by an "WF 4" verdict;
He later reversed the decision and Godfrey got
the winner's share of the purse; Godfrey was
recognized as the "Colored Heavyweight Champion
of the World"; Some sources report "Denver, Co"
Aug 3 Black Pearl (Harris Martin) Minneapolis, Mn D 8
-Perhaps, this is the 05/19/1887 bout
*** The Following Bouts Are Reported But Not Confirmed ***
1885
Dec Tom Hinch D 10
1886
Jul John Dyer Milwaukee, Wi LK 3
-This bout was held during Jul-Aug 1886
1890
May 10 Bob Harper Chicago, Il EX
-This bout could not have been fought by
McHenry Johnson if his date of death is
correct
Review courtesy of
Tracy Callis, Historian, International Boxing
Research Organization
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