How Does Jeffries Do Over 15 rds?

Fifteen rounds, the first fight with Corbett (1900)would probably have been very close, can't call it without seeing it. Ditto Jeffries-Sharkey II (1899).

Fitzsimmons, he was a pretty tough cob, maybe he could have lasted trying for a points win (1899, 1902)?

By 1903/1904 I don't think Jeffries is as much disadvantaged by a fifteen round distance.

 

This is how I see it.

It would be less of a problem towards the end of his career as he improved as a finisher.

Earlier on he might have had problems.

 

I conclude from contemporary acounts that he became much more methodical in breaking oponents down, and finishing them when they were hurt, later in his career.

Ruhlin fight have technicaly been a corner stoppage but Jeffries wrecked him with a body shot and left him helples on the ropes.

Corbett also was stopped by a body shot the same that Fitzsimmons had used to stop him years before.

The Munroe fight comes across as a systematic breakdown.

 

How about the Choynski draw? :yikes

 

A considerable acomplishment given Jeffries inexperience at the time.

 

The US army call it misin creep.

 

Jim Jeffries was too big and strong and young for either "Corbett & Fitz" in 1899 to 1904....... A 24 to 29 year old Jeffries eats these guys alive, just like he did...... I'm sure the older "Corbett & Fitz" would win some rds, but Jeffries was peaked then..... Jeffries was great.....

MR.BILL

 

I dont think that it makes too much difference at all.

Jeffries finished his early fights within 15 or he didnt finish them at all. Choynski and Ruhlin would both have probably ended up as wins for Jeffries if modern scoring was used but under the scoring used at the time, both would probably still be draws after 15.

The two Sharkey matches may have been a little closer (is that really possible) and maybe there was a draw in their but realistically, you would think that Jeffries would still get the nod from what i have read.

This leaves the just the first Corbett fight. There are varying reports on this. Corbett certainly being a sentimental favourite may ahve edged the decision. I doubt Jeffries coudl have knocked him out just because there was less rounds but it is possible that a last round rally is produced to end the fight, like he eventually did in the 23rd. Realisticaly though, a draw would probably have been given. I also think from the reports that this fight was a lot closer than the 'boxing lesson' that was reported. There is no way it would be reported as a boxing lesson if it was a decision and there would be no disgrace in dropping a decision (avenged) to Corbett of all people. I think the champ would have retained (controversially with shades of Don King?). Corbett though, may have really went up in ranking, with these 15 (or even better 12) round rules. As a bid of an off topic question, who would have won the Corbett v Jackson fight over 15?

BAck to Jeffries, his final loss was to Johnson in the 15th. To me, it looks as if Jeffries had gassed by the 15th round. If this were the last round, it changes everything. It far easier to go for 1 more round than for another 45. I am not convinced that Johnson would have knocked Jeffries out after 15 rounds. In fact who knows, he may not have even knocked Jeffries down as in the 15th round, Jeffries would ahve had something to fight for and may have done enough to even avoid the knockdown. In the emotionally charged times, the decision would have been interesting here. From a legacy point of view, Jeffries legacy would have raised massively. Although this may have effected Johnson's legacy also.

All in all, i think the 15 rounds makes no difference at all to how Jeffries would be viewed, all the possible loss of the undefeated tag may hurt his legacy a little (if it happened). It is quite ridiculous really that Jeffries power is questioned because some world class fighters went the distance with him (Sharkey, Ruhlin, Choynski) and because an ATG in Corbett lasted longer than 15 rounds before succumbing. Tyson, Foreman, Louis, Liston etc all had similar problems with world class fighters. It is a fact of boxing that you cant put on your very best performance every single day of the week. Even John L Sullivan who kod nearly evyone in 4 rounds had his share of longer fights.