Jeffries would be one of prime George's bigger opponents, didn't he scale 230-240 at times? As this forum likes reminding us; 70s Foreman's power and chin is unproven against fighters of that size. Jeffries also has George's greatest weakness of all; stamina! DUN DUN DUN It's pretty clear that Jeff wins this fight comfortably by ESB standards.
Jeffries also has that old timer toughness which the folks living in the comfy 70s with their vaccinations and running water and three outfits to wear did not have. We also have to consider that Foreman might have been infected by the Hippie mindset which did not exist in Jeffries' time. However to give Foreman his due, he did have that "mugger strength" and, as everybody knows, "mugger strength" is kind of a prerequisite to being a credible heavyweight force.
Boomers aren't built for the arc lights, Foreman would gas even more quickly in that ring. Maybe in a round and a half instead of his usual two round cardio.
Jeffries would polish off a few shots of whiskey and the best part of a Cuban cigar on the ring walk and then teach the young 'un what boilermaking was all about.
I foresee one of two scenarios. One, Foreman is just way too powerful and even Jeff's iron chin and toughness cannot handle that brand of huge power and relentless attack. Two, Jeff cautiously boxes and moves early on (as he did in various fights - Fitz I and Sharkey II) using his long left jab, right to the body, and occasional hooks up and down, and/or at times he moves in on the attack, clinches and smothers, using his strength, as he also could do, carefully wearing Foreman out over time, and he stops him late, likely in rounds 15 - 20. They both were big strong dudes, but prime Jeffries clearly had the superior conditioning.
Jeffries is tough and brave but his head can only take so many of Foreman's sledgehammer shots. A cut, lumped up Jeffries is dropped in the sixth round.
Hi Guys. I struggle with Jeffries, and where he rates alongside the greats, back in the early 70s when I was an avid follower of boxing I was hugely impressed with the legend/tales/folklore that seemed to surround him and his fights, also he looked awesome in print, especially compared to his peers, Fitz, Choynski, Sharkey, the broad forest of hair that was his chest, legs like tree trunks, he must have been a scary sight in the opposing corner, his endurance, ability to withstand punishment, all added the the mystic of this man mountain, but now looking back, his most famous adversaries were a lot smaller, and weighed a lot less, Fitz and to a degree Corbett were old and had seen better days, Choynski was really a middleweight, Sharkey was giving away 30 pounds, still Jeffries couldn't put him away, the defences, if you could call them as such, against Munroe, Ruhlin, and Finnegan, were easy for him, they were not stellar contenders, so yes, I find him difficult to place, as of now, I think he was / is not an atg in the true sense, but moreover a charismatic champion who dominated at a time when HWs were not, well heavyweights, am I alone ? stay safe guys, chat soon. Mike.
Jeffries looks like sht on the film we have, wide open, plodding, limited offense. He would be playing directly into Foreman's attributes. KO1.
Good points, no doubt he was an athletic and tough man, but he is hard to place although like you said I don't consider him a true ATG.
