Prime Tunney Replaces Corbett vs. Jeffries

I believe Jeffries was a better fighter in 1903.

I dont know how prime Tunney compares to a prime Corbett, but I'll credit him with at least being better than a 1900 Corbett, enough so that I'd say he'd beat Jeffries in 1900 (as would a prime Corbett, IMO).
But I'll favour Jeffries in 1903.

 

So do I.

Jeffries got his tactics completely wrong in the first encounter, and only pulled it out of the hat by switching his fight plan late in the fight. Against the more durable Tunney he likley would not get away with this lapse of judgment.

The second time round Jeffries had improved significantly, and his tactics were better judged.

If I had to guess then:

1900 Tunney UD

1903 Jeffries late TKO

 

The longer distance would help Jeffries, imo.
I pick Tunney to win the first fight clearly, I believe he was better than a prime Corbett, let alone one who was 33 had not won a fight in 6 years. Tunney was more durable than Corbett, and hit harder.
The second fight ,with an improved Jeffries,is problematic.Jeffries was better ,but by how much? Hard to gauge, because Corbett was worse ,nearly 37, he had not fought for 3 years. I think I would go for a Tunney win by close decision with Jeffries coming on like gangbusters late,but Tunney's early lead being enough to take it.

 

You can run but you can't hide. Jeffries could take everything Tunney threw and would keep pressuring him until he finally landed the bombs that either wore him out or took him out. Don't bet against a young Jeff in a lengthy bout.

 

You can't become great fighting great boxers by just being able to take a butt-whipping. Jeffries was huge in 1899 but by 1929 he would be barely above average in size. They thought Jeffries could fight for a million rounds. They didn't think he could catch up with anyone but so long as he took them late and could take a beating they would slow down. That plan is bunk. They figured Johnson would take a short bout on cleverness so they make it 45 rounds. The longer it goes the boxer's chances always go up. And probability he gets a KO goes up.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROUiZnnFfAw[/ame]

www.youtube.com/eslubin

 

Tunney is heads and shoulders above poor old Jeffries in the science dept. And even Big Jeffries strength was overrated in my opinion. A prime Tunney schools his ass.

 

in 25 rounds I really dont no

 

Hard to judge prime Jeffries and Corbett without footage.

I assume that Big Jeff would have the edge over tunney in a 25 round attrition war.
Hard to tell

 

But Jeffries could actually fight as well. Well enough that he was never beaten.

You do understand that there were still big guys in Jeffries time, that were bigger than him, it is just that they werent better than him.

Who is they? Hulk HOgan and Eric Bishoff?

Why did they think this? He didnt really stop anyone at all due to attrition, that i can recall. The closest was reportedly Bob Fitzsimmons, who has one report telling us that he was so tired that he left himself open for the KO. But even then, it is Jeffries power, not stamina that caused the wear down. Jeffries KOd plenty of power. They thought that he was too big, fast, strong and good for fighters it is just that some of the great ones gave him a little bit of trouble. In fact, not too dissimilar to the way some of the great ones gave Ali a little trouble. Difference being that Jeffries power always bailed him out, where as Ali had a few hickups and failures along the way.

They made it 45 rounds because that was the custom of the time for big fights and they didnt want controversy. Blind Freddy could tell you that if Johnson (or any other younger opponent) had not been beaten in 25 rounds, it is unlikely that the older man is going to be going as well as had been hoped and the pendulum swings in favour of the young man.

Interesting statement. I dont necessarilly disagree with it at all. But still, I am not sure that is what They said in the Sugar Ray Robinson v Joey Maxim fight. Would it make a difference to Tunney that it was really hot on the day of the fights in question?


Jeffries must start favourite against Tunney for the reasons of experience, proven performance against World Class heavyweights, proven performance against all time great light heavyweights, Size, Power, etc. But in fairness to the reigning lineal Champion, Gene Tunney he has his advantage as well, and i definitely see a good chance of an upset. Realistically though, i am fairly sure that if born in Jeffries time, Tunney would delay this fight until around about the Johnson fight or maybe a couple of years before, before striking and would defeat Jeffries through age. Not to dissimilar to the way he beat Dempsey.

www.youtube.com/eslubin[/QUOTE]

 

Tunney wins both.

 

Tunney was in supreme shape, was a terrific craftsman, and would have been even harder to handle for Jim than Corbett. Tunney was simply the next in the line Corbett started, and better in every way.

UD each time.

 

Was Tunney better than Corbett ?
What makes people say that ?

I'm allowing that he was superior to the post-prime Corbett who Jeffries beat, but I'll admit I have no evidence. It's just "for argument's sake".
And I dont even see that justification for a prime-for-prime comparison.