Burns would definitely want to take some safe fights against comonwealth grade fighters before cashing out against the top challengers. I suspect that Burns would probablyt not have got past Fitzsimmons in the first place. He might have been able to beat Tom Sharkey using the same strategy as he used against Marvin Hart but I suspect he wouldn't. Corbett probably wouldn't be denied either and Ruhlin would not be a given by any means. He would certainly have taken Munroe and Finegan.
He is favourite over Munroe, but it is not the given everyone thinks it is. The Finnster may not win, but he is a known career wrecker:good I think Tommy may get one or two upsets on his way, through, but i dont really know who that would be against.
Not to impressed with Burns as a great fighter. He was average vs the highly competitive middleweight divison which ketchel ruled, so he went up a couple weights and had the luxury of getting to fight a lot of white stiffs(although hart and obrien were good wins). I rank him near the bottom of Linear HW champs all time. It would have been interesitng to see how he would compete against a sam langford, sam mcvea, or joe jeanette. Or if he could have survived a stanley ketchel. Fitz vs Sharkey would be a good fight. I like Corbett to take Burns to school. Fitz prob knocks out Tommy. I like burns over Ruhlin though ruhlins 6" height advantage might pose a threat. Burns would have all he could handle from a fighter like Hank Griffin and Bob Armstrong. I think Corbett was the best heavyweight of that era along with Peter Jackson. I like Corbett and Jackson in their primes over Jeffries.
Fitz of 1899 and 1902 ko's him. Sharkey ko's him. Corbett of 1900 by UD or ko. Ruhlin-I like Ruhlin to outpoint him. Burns beats Munroe Burns probably has too much for the Corbett of 1903 Burns ko's Finnegan
Burns was an exceptional fighter The way he handled Squires was magnificent. Still one of the most devesating KO's that pop in my head
Burns Sharkey would be a tough fight. I think sharkey would win, and despite not winning the world title, probably has a slightly better legacy with his win over corbett trumping Burns win over Hart.
You have got to be joking. Johnson of 1908 COULDN'T KO BURNS. It's Jeffries who is constantly over rated.
I agree with these picks. Jeffries also KO'd Kennedy in 2, and floored Griffin multiple times in a 4 round match as champion. I think Burns is 1-1 here.
