james corbett h2h against the next guys

Honestly, if you compare a boxing manual from 1900 to one today, there is next to nothing between them.

In fact some boxing manuals from that period are still in use.

 

Can you expand upon this?

 

Any pre-1920's boxer would get absolutely schooled by their modern counterpart for the most part. In fact imo even champs from that era would be hard pressed to make a top 10 contender ranking in the modern era.

 

Impossible to prove either way of course, but I very much doubt it.

On the flip side of the coin, how would a modern fighter do in a bareknuckle prize fight?

 

You are a very brave man!

 

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You are correct about the jab being originaly based on fencing technique, but I don't think that it was only used in this limited way in Corbetts time.

There do seem to be fighters of the era who used it as their primary weapon, though I am basing this on written accounts.

 

Interesting observation.

 

Agreed.

 

Roy Jones Jr. Corbett wins split Dec

Ezzard Charles. Corbett loses unanimous.
Michael spinks. Corbett wins unanimous Dec

David haye. Corbett loses by 10 round ko

Billy conn. A draw

Gene tunny. Corbett loses by unanimous.

James toney. Corbett wins by hard fought unanimous.

Patterson. Corbett down twice, Patterson down twice. Patterson by 11rouns ko.
Bernard Hopkins. Corbett unanimous win.

Foster. Corbett by seven round ko

Qawi. Pulls off a shock split decision


John Henry Lewis. Corbett by unanimous Dec

 

Really the jab as described and illustrated in the day is not that much different than the jab Ali employed. In terms of basic technique.

The jab was described as to be thrown, landed and then almost simultaneously step away to avoid a counter. Very reminiscent of a fencing lead.

Corbett was trained to fight long distance so a 12-15 round fight in his prime should be a walk in the park.

Impossible to predict how he would do as the film footage of him is as silient film quality as it gets. He was rated highly and I am sure he was very difficult to hit cleanly. In his prime if he avoids a ko blow I would expect he wins many 12 and 15 round decisions over many great fighters.