Jim Corbett missed out on some key matches while champion. Corbett defeated Sullivan easily in 1892, yet he only made one title defense vs. Mitchell, before losing to Fitzsimmons in 1897. Corbett focused too much time on the theater stage, and not enough time in the ring as champion. A re-match with Peter Jackson was discussed, but Jackson balked when Corbett said he wanted the match in New Orleans or Jacksonville, two towns he was well known in for the matches with Sullivan and Mitchell. When Corbett retired, he was considered him good enough to crack many top ten lists prior to 1970s Today he is viewed as a border line top 20 all time great, but many of those giving their opinions are not have not seen all the film or read contemporty reports of Corbett. I have Corbett around #17-22. Suppose Corbett, who was in active in 1893 and 1895 gave title shots to Peter Maher and Joe Goddard in 1893 and 1895. Would victories over prime versions of Goddard and Maher raise Corbett status a bit? I think they would by a small margin.
They'd raise it by a lot. By going on stage corbett was considered by some to be retired whilst fitz actually went on to beat maher, sharkey and indeed corbett. Had corbett beaten maher, sharkey and jackson it could be said he'd cleaned out that era. Plus he'd have been in better nick for the super challenge that was ruby.
Goddard was 36 years old in 1893 and was stopped twice that year by very moderate fighters, beating him would have added nothing to Corbett's status. Maher was 34 in 1895 ,he had a busy year, beating also rans , but apart from his ko of O Donnell ,did not set the world alight. He was propelled into the spotlight by Corbett as a buffer between Corbett, and Fitzsimmons ,whom Corbett did not want to face. Beating him would like wise have added little to Corbett's rep. Corbett as champion, should have faced Jackson who, though slightly on the downslope would have been his biggest threat . Corbett consistantly refused to fight Jackson ,unless the fight was held in the South. Jackson fearing he would not get a fair deal ,and perhaps for his physical saftey refused to fight south of the Mason Dixon line. There are many news reports that confirm this. When a despairing Jackson travelled back to Australia, Corbett came bravely out of the wood work, challenging Jackson to face him.
It is perhaps the case that there was a derth of good contenders outside Jackson at the time. While I do not defend Corbetts inactivity, I think he was waiting for a big money challenger (other than Jackson), and Fitzsimmons was the first to build up a hig head of interest.
If we go on results, Goddard had plenty left in 1893. Consider in 1892 he defeated Maher and McAuliffe. In 1891, he defeated Dooley and Choysnki. He won all four matches here via KO, and some of them were in the later rounds, which to me indicates his stamina was good enough, even in his mid 30s. Goddard, who drew with a prime Peter Jackson in 1890, was certainly deserving of a match John L Sullivan. Based on who Goddard beat, an on paper upset win over Sullivan is possible because he beat a better class of fighters. Goddard had good results up to 1897. Hes really an under rated fighter. Tom Sharkey listed Goddard in his top five.
Goddard twice beat Dooley in 1890 that was three years earlier than your time frame when Goddard would be 33. Choynski was a 4 fight novice when Goddard met him. The 1891Dooley fight was a No Contest. Goddard had two fights in 1893 winning one from a complete unknown for whom there is no verifiable form at all .And, losing to Denver Ed Smith by stoppage ,Smith had won just one of his last eight fights. Goddard never won a fight in the US that went over a couple of rounds. The vast majority of Goddard's opponents after 1892 were" ham and eggers". Those with any pretensions to class usually beat him.
Corbett took on prime peter jackson for crying out loud. No other white fighter did so. He also fought John L Sullivan, joe choynsi, tom sharey, bob fitzsimmons, and james Jeffries..... Out of anyone of that era, Corbett is the only one who DIDN'T miss out on key matches. Bob Fitzsimmons never fought black fighters, James Jeffries missed out on fighting the best fighter in the world in 1906... Jack Johnson. Corbett fought EVERYBODY Terrible thread
It's a terrible thread because Corbett beating a 36 years old Goddard in 1893 would have meant nothing. Goddard had two fights that year beating a nobody with no form at all and, being stopped by Denver Ed Smith ,who had won just one of his last eight fights. Paddy Slavin took on Jackson, a year after Jackson drew with Corbett. After their no contest, Corbett would not go near Jackson again, despite frequently being challenged by him.
