What Was Jackson's Status When he Fought Jeffries?

Admittedly, I'm a bit unfamiliar with the era.
My limited understanding is that Peter Jackson was at some point regarded as the best fighter in the world, apart from perhaps J.L. Sullivan, an American, who was regarded as world's champion .... so, i doubt it would have ruffled too many people's feathers if Jackson had claimed to be champion of the British Empire.

 

Smith was regarded as the champion of England as the result of his drawn bout with Greenfield in 1886. At least such was the opinion of American writers around the time he fought Jackson. He didn't lose the title (or rather his claim of it), because Jackson couldn't claim English title.

 

If the historical record doesn't show much interest in the title at that time, or any billed title fights or explicit challenges for it, or much fanfare surrounding the claim, then NO there was no real kudos.

This is news to me though. Seeing as only a few years earlier 'English' and 'American' titles (or claims of world titles) were so important in the development of the lineage, and that Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders were also producing fighters who travelled the globe and competed against growing American dominance, it's a little suprising that there wasn't more emphasis on an 'Empire' champion yet.

 

I think you have completely missed the mark with this last comment. Jackson was the australian champion by virtue of his victory over teh Australian Champion Tom Lees. It is up to the others - Slavin and Goddard to fight Jackson, before he loses that title, not the other way around. If you think otherwise, then you would really have to credit Jackson ahead of Sullivan as world champion. It is a two edged sword.

You could claim the over 63 title, but dont claim too loud, or else Burt Bienstock and a few others might go on the warpath

 

This is true, but don't expect McVey to embrace it. He's like a broken clock in need of a hysterectomy.

 

And unlike the british and other titles which do not seem to have been as official or universally recognised (as you are pointing out), the Australian title was really strongly recognised. It was almost like the Australian champion was the world champion, in Australia at least, a little similar to John L being considered the World Champion even when he was only the american champion.

Definitely different times, and it is often very difficult to understand.

For what it is worth, i find that if you assume that a fighter who was considered great by his peers was actually great, then almost always when you look into it, that fighter is as good or better than what is believed. I can see the difficulties with Jackson, who i have always originally thought was overated, but as you delve deeper and deeper, his legends starts to stack up. I am certain he was one of the all time greats.

 

Even if i believe in Evolution of the sport, i do think that Wilson, Lapai, Haumono, Sonny Bill Williams and Co might struggle against that bunch.