Moore weighed 173 pounds to Johnson’s 172½.
Working behind his jab, movement and counterpunching, Johnson frustrated Moore through much of the early and middle rounds. His advantage grew in the 10th when a right hand behind the ear dropped the champion.
Moore rose quickly, but referee Ruby Goldstein continued counting, overlooking that the automatic eight-count had been waived for the championship fight. Moore recovered and continued pursuing Johnson.
The challenger remained in front as the fight moved into the late rounds. Two officials had Johnson leading after 13, putting Moore in danger of losing his championship on the scorecards.
Then Moore changed the fight. He hurt Johnson late in the 13th and attacked immediately when the 14th began. A barrage of rights and lefts drove Johnson into his own corner before sending him to the canvas.
Johnson regained his feet, but he was badly hurt. Moore followed him along the ropes and continued punching until Goldstein stopped the fight at 56 seconds of the 14th round.
The comeback preserved Moore’s championship and extended his winning streak to 19 fights. Johnson had come within two rounds of taking the title from a rival he had first fought in 1949.
Moore soon resumed his pursuit of heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano. He received the opportunity the following year, dropping Marciano before being stopped in the ninth round.
Johnson never received the sixth Moore fight he wanted. Years later, he became light heavyweight champion himself.
Their August 1954 battle closed a five-fight rivalry with its most dramatic ending. Johnson had the lead, but the Old Mongoose found the punches he needed before time ran out.
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