Jackson was hugely admired as a fighter. "A wonder" in the parlance of the day. He shouldn't be underestimated. Impossible to make a pick, but all of that said, most are going to pick Johnson. And that's probably the fair pick. He's probably in possession of more genius than Jackson.
That was a good win but he also has good wins over pasty Cardiff, George Godfrey, peter maher and Denver ed smith
Let's get a tally of who saw them both and commented as to who was better as there is no film on Jackson outside of him walking around. The authority figure here is George Siler, the referee for both of them on more than one occasion, a boxing author, and noted observer of the times. In his book, Inside Facts oF Pugilism, he clearly states that Jackson was the better of the two by long odds, and hit much harder. Jackson was a tall and fast out fighter ( with a superior reach in this contest 77 1/2" to 74" ) Johnson was hit quit from out fighters both on and off films and likely did not hit hard enough to stop Jackson. Jackson's isn't 5'7 to 59" type with modest skills waiting to fall into a clinch. I'll take Jackson via decision.
A write up on Peter Jackson with plenty of historians commenting. [url]http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/Article-PeterJackson.htm[/url]
Jackson's chin wasn't that special,he was floored quite a few times and during his time he was not considered a big puncher, Siler's comment not withstanding. He couldn't drop Corbett in 61 rounds. Joe Butler in his debut went the distance ,Johnson ko'd him. Many of Johnson's opponents had a longer reach. Haynes ,Martin,Kaufman,Ferguson,McVey,and Burns and Langford equalled it. Siler refereed 212 bouts, none of which featured either Jackson or Johnson! Did you think you were safe stating this ? That no one would bother to check? Rest assured I did!lol Can't comment on the rest as it isn't in English.
Lets go on people who saw them both. Like I said, there is not film on Jackson. You had to see him live in the 1880's or 1890's. So how could a historian at a later date without access to film or the internet really grade Jackson? So Siler is one vote for Jackson #2 would be Jim Corbett. Do you have any who saw both that felt Johnson was better?
I really with there is footage existing of Jackson, described as more scientific than Jack Johnson, was faster and smoother than Joe Louis but hit just as hard, and possessed footwork similar to Muhammad Ali. Also bob fitsimmons said he was the goat and frank slavin called him unbeatable, I don't know who I would pick if they fought.
Corbett is on record as saying Johnson was the greatest boxer he ever saw.He named him "The Emperor Of Fistiana".Source Nat Fleischer. Jackson has one win of any note in the 1890's ,against Slavin and that was in the UK. So far you have Siler ,that's one vote.What fights Siler saw of Jackson we don't know.We do know he took credit for discovering Johnson in Battle Royals and introduced him to Johnny Conners the promoter.
One must favor Johnson simply there is not enough information otherwise. Johnson was an ATG worlds hwt champion. A status bestowed to few hwt fighters over the millennium. Johnsons skills and style in his prime would baffle most past heavyweights.