Who would you suspect to do better against the variety of HW champions throughout the years.... Norton or Jeffries?
I just don't have the eye to compare the two based upon the footage of Jeffries that is available. I've watched 45 rounds of Norton boxing Ali alone; what is out there of Jeffries in his prime? A few minutes of compromised film? It would take a better man than me. Secondly, the rules have changed so much that surely the where and when of this is hugely important? The difference between 15 and 20 rounds is colossal. Never mind 45. The difference in gloves is huge. The difference in what you can do inside is marked. What does head-to-head even mean for these two?
Norton was exceptional at dealing with boxers, but weak against punchers. Jeffries seems to have taken care of business against boxers, punchers, swarmers.
Excellent point, I would simply say, they fight fighters as the rules were presented in that area. That is the only way I can really see doing it. Good points though McGrain. If you had to venture a guess, who would you pick?
In limited quantity though Janitor. Let's say Norton fought C-Level punchers, and never lost, that doesn't mean he'd do good against Foreman or Cooney. It matters who you face. Just listing a variety of styles a boxer beat, isn't much good if the quality of those fighters aren't revealed.
Norton by a country mile. If all Norton had to do was beat the likes of old Fitz and Corbett and Sharkey, we would never stop talking about him.
I understand what you are saying. Jeffries never had to face a Foreman. The problem is that there is a gap between Foreman, and the best punchers that Norton beat, that the best punchers Jeffries beat fill. We certainly have to give Jeffries the edge against punchers.
Issue with Norton is his wide sideways stance made his mobility non existent. This is a huge detriment when facing huge punchers. He generally did well vs boxers. Jeffries did well vs all styles in his prime but one would assume his nemesis had he fought an array of great hwts over time would have been great boxers. However Jeffries ATG heavyweight champion status puts him several notches above Norton to begin with.