Absolute barnstormer!!! It could be anybodys day, but if forced, I would pick Sharkey as the more proven vs elite opposition.
Hart lacked heart and conditioning........ "The Shark" was a dedicated ringer........ Hart was a farmer looking for some money to raise cattle..... Sharkman like to fight...... BIG DIFFERENCE! MR.BILL
But i think it is fair to say that most people who saw both fight, would have probably gave Sharkey the edge in every category. I lean towards Sharkey in a dominant performance, but i admit i havent read the pollack book yet, which could easily change things.
I picked Sharkey .... but it's really hard to say. Both these guys were TOUGH, and pretty good punchers, though they often had to work for their KO's. Unless someone gets caught cold, expect to see a tough fight between two guys who are very hard to put away. Sharkey may have some advantage in speed, though it's not like anyone had to go looking for The Sailor.
Sharkey has Hart beaten in every category that I can see. Hart's style plays right into Tom's strengths. Sharkey by stoppage within 5.
R u kidding ... Hart was all about hart and conditioning ... he was a face first, highly aggressive fighter that would take three to land one ... he kept coming at his opponent ... you got the wrong fighter ... That being said I believe a prime Sharkey was simply better and would take it ..
I don't know who would win, but I do know that for as long as it lasted, it would be a fun fight to watch. Two really tough, strong, hard punchers who liked to rumble, were in great shape, and could take a punch.
Hart did not have a chin or iron, and really wasn't a huge puncher either. I think Hart was a solid hitter with his right hand, and for the most part game. However it was gameness that might have cost Hart the title. Why in your opinion did Hart lay an egg in the Burns fight, and lose the championship?
Apollack, I'll be very interested to see if your upcoming Burns book has much to say about Hart's relationship with Tommy Ryan, who Hart took as his new trainer after becoming champion; and whether you think Ryan was good for Hart.