Ranking Jack Sharkey's Filmed Fights, By Performance

I'd have Phil Scott fight definitely higher than Walker and Carnera II. My order would probably look like this:

1. Tommy Loughran - to me it's a great knockout win over elite opponent. Sharkey showed power he rarely did.

2. Jim Maloney - unreal performance from Sharkey, his ability to bob and weave as well as counter is well shown here.

3. Max Schmeling I - he looked good in first few rounds, but it's not enough sample to have it higher.

4. Primo Carnera I - he outboxed cleanly good boxer who was much bigger than him, including flooring him.

5. Phil Scottt - I don't agree with your conclusion, it's really good performance from Sharkey.

6. Young Stribling - nice tactical battle, Sharkey dominated inside

7. Jack Dempsey - to me Sharkey was clearly winning before the illegal punch, though Dempsey got better as the fight went on. He battered Dempsey like no one else in fights available.

8. Max Schmeling II - he was way too passive to win this fight, but he showed good defense and stiff jab.

9. Primo Carnera II - he didn't look terrible, but got knocked out and was clearly losing the fight.

10. Mickey Walker - he should have done far better than drawing with Mickey and he seemed to be uninterested throughout the fight.

 

Thanks for the recap, I never saw J Sharkey vs McTigue.

J Sharkey was a true off and on fighter. I find Sharkey to be over rated, down 15 times in his career and losing / drawing to guys he shouldn't. I do feel his performance vs Dempsey should rate much higher. He was pasting him. As washed up as Dempsey fans might clam he was, he's still better most on the list, including those placed ahead of him.

 

Who even rates him, let alone high?

 

Not that he's rated top 10, or even top 15, but I do see him in the 20's which to me is still overrated.

 

I don't think having him inside top 25 is overrating him.

 

Why? The ring record, and filmed performances say otherwise.

 

Who do you have inside your top 25?

 

Based on legacy, and head to head. Not in exact order.

Tier 1

Ali
Holmes
Lewis
V Klitschko


Tier two

Louis
Wlad
Foreman
Jeffries

Tier 3

Liston
Bowe
Dempsey
Tyson

Tier 4

Holyfield
Marciano
Frazier
Joshua* - Still active

Tier 5

Langford
Norton
Tunney
Johnson

Tier 6 ( 5 fighters listed )

Ibeabuchii
Charles
Withersooon
Patterson
Schmeling

That's 25 and I did not list Wills, Sullivan, Fitzsimmons, Walcott, or Lyle all of whom I think are greater than Sharkey.

I probably put Sharkey some where in the 30's or 40's

 

Having Vitali top four should have some severe punishment.

 

You have Vitali in tier 1? Seriously??

Ibeabuchii? Based on what exactly?

This list is weak in general, but I won't comment it in this thread. I certainly wouldn't have Lyle and Tunney over Sharkey either at HW.

 

I'm not making this a Klitschko thread, and by they way he'd pound J Sharkey and win easily, don't you agree? No ducking this question, 70's.

You wanted 25 and I gave you them. In fact I gave you 30, names if you want to argue any of them over Sharkey

Yes-- I saw Ike's fight and would place him in the top 25. He was head to head master, able to out brawl Tua and track down and take out a very good Chris Byrd with style. He'd destroy J Sharkey too. Sharkey never beat anyone close to Lyle at least without a robbery. Heck Carnera Ko'd Sharkey early. 'Nuff said

Tunney was very good, he only lost officially once in 80 fights, and beat many hall of fame opponents.

Sharkey? He's a guy who struggles with middles and light heavies, lost 13 times, drew 3 times, and was down at least 15 times. Can you say SUSPECT? Him being in your top 25 is a joke, I must see where you place him, Please show me.

 

I said, based on legacy, and head to head. Not in exact order.

Maybe you can help me out, is there a guy on the list that has a better rounds won to round lost ratio?

Is there guy on the list who was never floored by a punch?

Is there guy on the list that was as good in his late 30's to 41?

How many on the list made the hall of fame on their first try? ( excluding the first class )

How many on the list have a successful comeback 4 years out of the ring, in their later 30's?

And I'll throw you a bone, how many had a higher KO %?

My guess is you have a bunch of no's, and just a few names, but I'd like to hear from you.

 

Well, hard to rate a win on a foul in the 4th as his best effort. I think of the fights on film, the best is the Loughran win. He didn't look all that good in that fight until the KO, but it is an impressive win. (aside-it might be unfair to Sharkey, but I can't help wondering if hitting his head on the rope when he fell might have concussed Loughran and caused the stoppage).

You have the first Carnera fight high, which I agree with. This is actually I think his best win. On paper, the second Schmeling fight might be tops, but like you I don't think Sharkey won that one.

As for where to rate him, or is he overrated, while I mostly disagree with Mendoza's ratings, I agree with him that Sharkey should be no where near the top 25, and I think very iffy for the top 50. If he didn't get the gift decision against Schmeling, would anyone put him in the top 50?

On balance, I like your evaluations.

 

Actually, my biggest gripe is rating Dempsey that high.

The problem with Vitali is he lost to the two best men he fought and doesn't have signature wins to overcome that. And those losses were not when he was green or old. It might be due to bad luck, as I agree that on paper he is a head to head monster, but you have to do it in the ring for me to rate you near the top.