Jeffries v Quarry

They also fought in much bigger rings in those days. Smaller more agile hwts were that much more difficult to catch. Tom Sharkey is considered an all time great that would have been champion if he were not fighting in an era of even greater fighters.

 

What is the best footage of Jeffries and is it good enough to justify a Jeffries pick?

 

The footage would not justify such a pick, but then it would not justify picking Quarry either.

There is no default assumption in favour of the fighter who is known from better quality film.

 

This content is protected

This content is protected

This content is protected

 

They don't prove anything, but they do lend credibility to statments made by some contemporary observers about his speed and other qualities.

 

I agree whole heartedly and that's why I havnt and can't make a pick.

 

With no justifiable film footage available on Jeffries, your opinion on his greatness is based on what you've been told. Is that correct?

 

Footage of Jeffries

I read an article covering Eddie Machen back in the early sixties. It was mentioned that Machen carefully studied film of past fighters in passing. The author asked Machen to rate the old champs and he gave this rating

1--Dempsey
2--Johnson
3--Louis
4--Tunney
6--Jeffries

Machen remarked about Jeffries that he liked "his quick hands and combinations"

I am pretty certain I am remembering that correctly.

I have wondered myself what film convinced Machen of this. But there is a point in the Johnson fight in which Jeffries flurries with both hands and for a big fellow he threw a lot of leather quickly.

 

"your opinion on his greatness is based on what you've been told"

There is also his record. Being champion for six years and retiring undefeated certainly makes Jeffries worth considering for high ranking.

He certainly dominated the post-Sullivan and pre-Johnson era and he was praised as the best there had yet been in his own time.


**Just curiously. Name the heavies who were champions longer and who retired undefeated?

I can't think of one other than Louis.

Any others?

 

Yes but crucialy, it is not what I have been told by one person.

I look at as many contemporary acounts as possible, and try to find the common themes.