Prime Jim Corbett v. prime Jim Jeffries

I know, I was agreeing with you
Sorry if I did not make that evident.

 

Because of styles, I tend to agree with you on that. Sullivan was evidently more of a swarmer type fighter. That's poison for a boxer unless the boxer's on a higher level, and I don't think Corbett was.

 

Thanks Burt. I live in Florida, but like to visit New York as often as I can. I haven't been since 2005, so hopefully soon I can go up there. This is a little bit off topic, but have you seen the footage of Jim Corbett and Gene Tunney sparring. I had heard about it and finally found it yesterday. It is pretty interesting footage. I think Tunney, prime to prime would beat Corbett. I may get some arguments on that from some of the posters here, but I am steadfast in my opinion of a Tunney victory.

 

Yes Abdullah, I have seen the short clip of the 56 year old Corbett sparring with Gene Tunney...Corbett looked very agile for his age..Corbettwho had about 20 pro fights, claimed Tunney was doing things in the ring, that Corbett did'nt have enough fights to try...But he once remarked that Tunney had a rigid straight up stance, and was not flexible. For what it's worth...Speak to you B.B.

 

I wonder if anything interesting pops up if you put Tunney on Corbett's fight schedule.

 

Much.

On a side note Jack McAuliffe said that Tunney was better than Corbett, not because he was better technicaly, but because he could hit harder and take a punch better.

 

I agree! For one, I don't think Fitzsimmons becomes heavyweight champion.

 

Is this based on the assumption that Tunney gets past Peter Jackson?

You should assume nothing about that.

 

That's true.

 

You guys have impressive knowledge of that time period of boxing. I have just recently got into that era. It has definitely changed much since then.

I am kind of interested to know where you guys would rank Jeffries, Corbett, and Sullivan in ATG rankings... Obviously Fitz is in most peoples top 10

 

Corbett absolutely looked good for his age. Though I would pick Tunney to win a decision, I think it would be a nice, scientific fight. It was probably nice for Tunney to get to meet the former World Heavyweight Champion, James J. Corbett.

 

I beleive I would take Tunney to beat Sullivan.Maybe Fitz too.

 

I would agree ,and these are extremely important attibutes to have superiority in.
I suppose it could be argued Tunnney was not meeting bigger men for the most part,whereas Corbett did on occasion. But, Tunney beat a Dempsey who, though not the Mauler ,had not gone back as far as John L imo.

 

I think there is a good chance of this, if his chin holds up. INterestingly, if he were to pull off these two fights (in for example a time machine tournament), realistically, you would have to start him favourite to do the same thing to a George Foreman, who had bigger demonstrated problems with boxers and movers, wouldnt you?

 

Corbett's own people said his first fight with Jeffries was his best performance, and he lost.

Jeffries seemed to peak around 1901-1904, after the first Corbett fight.