Jim? Of course! I have him in the top ten. Was there a tougher man in possesion of the heavyweight title? Ever?
Absolutely, Jim Jeffries won the heavyweight title from another all time great in Bob Fitszimmons, with only some 11 fights under his belt, and defended it 7 times successfully. He defeated a number of good fighters such as, Tom Sharkey, Peter Jackson, James Corbett, Bob Fitszimmons and several others. He was a tremendous athlete and physical specimen, especially given the standards of his day. What's more, he showed great courage in his efforts against Jack Johnson upon returning to the ring after a 6 year layoff. James Jeffries will always have a place on my top 10 list....
I have him in my top 5. He was as dominant as any heavyweigfht champion in history. In a fight to the finish he would be virtualy unbeatable.
CT and I have had this discussion before, but I always think of Jeffries as the original prototype for the modern MMA fighter. Jeffries, who was just slightly larger than current UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture, may have dominated this new sport to the same degree he dominated boxing. But of course, you can't be blamed for doubting if the modern era could forge an iron man like Jeffries.
His sparring with Roeber was apparently filmed. (Of course, you probably already knew that. ) Now THERE would be an amazing little piece of history. Incidentally, have you ever heard of William Miller? A sort of proto-Jeffries...5'10" 195 lbs., Australian champion in bareknuckle pugilism and one of the best in the world in gloved (point) boxing during the early reign of John L Sullivan...but also among the 3-5 best Greco-Roman wrestlers in the world, accomplished in gymnastics, and capable of a 200 lb. bent press (using pre-Sandow technique).
I'll be honest, I've never rated far enough back to count him. He is not in my top 13, but I don't think he is far behind.
Absolutely no doubt, Jeffries should be in the top 30 of all time. I'd say top ten. How Good Was Jim Jeffries? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI8mVLPbvLw&mode=related&search= Jim Jeffries - The Final Analysis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmo2CNOxQ9c&mode=related&search=
