How Does Jeffries Do Over 15 rds?

Generally, it seems to me that people thought that the Corbett who challenged Jeffries in 1900 gave a fine performance. I recently read Brooklyn Daily Eagle's account, they said it was regarded as Corbett's best performance since his stoppage of Sullivan. Many noted that Corbett looked bigger and stronger than ever before. Against the notion that Jeffries skill-lessness made Corbett look good, it seems like observers were not unaware that Jeffries was still raw, so it's not like they were taking that into account when evaluating Corbett (also, BDE notes that, though Jeffries looked slow, this could be ascribed to his being in the ring with a superlatively fast fighter).

Similarly, NYT's coverage of the 1903 rematch opines that Jeffries looked more skilled, quicker, and fought at a faster pace. It also reported that Corbett had generally slowed, and that his former technical brilliance was only appearant in flashes.

The point I'm trying to make is that observers of the time were not oblivious to the fact that the qualities of one's opponent can either put ones own abilities in the shadows or highlight them, as the case may be; they were quite aware of this, and made an explicit effort to account for such influences upon their evaluations.

As for Jeffries punching abilities, I think he hit hard, and that his body punching had a gradually debilitating effect. I don't think he was generally in a hurry to finish a guy -- he regarded time as being on his side -- he was noted as not seeming a killer, and I doubt he put his punches together so well as, say, a Dempsey or a Louis. I think it was more a steady wear-down. Think of a starfish that gets a hold of a clam and keeps up a continual tug until the clam finally tires.

 

You go into Iraq to tople Sadam Huseins then leave, but are there fighting insurgents years later.

 

Sullivan is a silly example, he was probably the most dominant knock out artist ever. It is like comparing the number of people that defeated Rocky Marciano. (or a prime Jeffries for that matter).

Ruddock went the distance with Tyson, despite being KOd quickly by David Jaco, Tommy MOrrison and Lennox Lewis. James Tillis also overcame his first round loss (among others) to Tim Witherspoon to go the distance with Tyson. Mitch Green was knocked out in 3 by Bruce Johnson, soon after going the distance with Tyson. Bonecrusher smith overcame a knockout on his pro debut by a nobody, as well as a Larry Holmes late KO to go the distance with Tyson. It is hard to fault Tyson's power!

The reason Jeffries is not considered to have explosive Tyson style power is simply that he fought all good fighters. They were good enough to last a few rounds. When he didnt fight world class fighters, he kod them early. Look at Finnegan (who knows how good he was or wasnt).


Back to the topic, who is to say that Jeffries needed to adapt his style for the shorter 15rnd period. Looking at his results, with 15 rounds (and i presume you would also want a 10 point must system), without changing anything he would probably still have gone through his career undefeated with a very high knockout percentage and only the very best world class fighters capable of going the distance. Why would he need to modify this style?

 

It is a valid point.

Nearly all of Jeffries recorded fights were against world class fighters or fringe contenders.

Your knockout percentage falls off rapidly when you step up in competition.

 

Thank you.

My first post (post #2) indicates how I think Jeffries might have done over 15 rounds, in his day. It's possible he might have lost both Fitzsimmons fights, the first Corbett fight, and the defense against Sharkey. Or he might have won them all, anyways. My guess is two wins, a loss, a draw.

In 1903-1904, Johnson's the only guy I see offering problems.

As for Jeffries in the later era of fifteen rounders I think that (even if he came along in those times) if the champion was strong he'd need a bit more seasoning (than 1899 Jeffries had) before tackling him; however, given competent training, I think he'd become an outstanding challenger.

 

Mision creep means you start with one objective, but while trying to acheive it you get drawn into another objective (usualy less sensible)

 

Jeffries ruined Sharkey. He also had Ruhlin down three times, inlcuding out for the count at the end of the final bell, but the fight was rulled a draw because Ruhlin was saved by the bell.

Johnson did not carry Jeffries. He played it safe in the early rounds until Jeffries ran out of gas and went for the Ko from round 13-15. Watch the fight, and you will see.

I think Jeffries is the lone champion to score a knockdown in all of his fights, save his come back fight. Jeffries said all of his KO people fell face first, with the exception of one man, which is a real sign the other guy is out.

Fighters often took a while to get down to business in the 20-25 round era. Jeffries did not go for quick ending as often as say Tyson or Marciano did. He knew he had plenty of time. Sometimes crowds in those days booed quick endings. The gate for the next fight could have been in a fighters mind.

I think Jeffries would probably have more earlier Ko's and get to work a bit sooner in the 15 round era. It should be noted that Jeffries went at his guy from the gate in 4 round matches. Examples are the Griffin, and Kennedy matches.

Some may question what if the first Corbett fight was scheduled for 15 rounds. Credible round reports suggest Jeffries took most of the early rounds, with Corbett doing well in the mid portion ( rounds 10-15 ) of the 25 round fight, and Jeffries tuning the tides back his way in round 17-23, with a knockdown in round 19, and the 10 count Ko in round 23.

 

So a 12 rounder would have favoured Jeffries.

 

Are you saying Tom Sharkey was out of his prime when Jeffries beat him? Come on now. Sharkey was surely great. A hall of fame guy, and some say uncrowned champion. Jeffries beat the best version of Sharkey. I do not think Fitz was past it either when jeffries beat him.. Check the results after Fitz lost the title. He was as good as every for a while. And Corbett was only 33 when Jeffries beat him, and as sharp as ever accoding to reports. Split hairs if you must, but I think your statment of NEVER is way off.

 

In the first Corbett match, yes.

 

Expect more in this vein from the Pollack biography.