If we take these two guys in exactly the same form that they were in their own eras without changing the universe to level out the playing field, then I have to go with Povetkin.
We have two men here who are both perfectly capable of loosing to the other. However I am going to go with Sharkey. Hidden among his inconsistency, he has a much better body of work, and even a much more impressive run of form. Perhaps it is time for me to do another deep dive on the subtleties of Sharkey's resume.
There are some threads that I have to reproduce every few years. A Sharkey deep dive might be overdue.
Povetkin easily. Sharkey way too small and his chin was not the best I don't see how he keeps Povetkin at bay when Povetkin is very good at closing the distance against way bigger taller opponents. Compared to that Sharkey would be easy work
Perhaps this is the thread that will shatter the Povetkin coalition. What say you, @Journeyman92? Any thoughts in favor of the best boxer Arcel (I believe?) ever saw?
I have no primary source. It was mentioned in a recent thread on Sharkey. Would be curious to see if anyone does.
I am also going to go with Jack Sharkey at his best to defeat Alexander Povetkin at his best. And I would love to read your deep dive post on Jack Sharkey.
Povetkin again? You literally have at least 150 years of boxing history and you still are focused on the Bolshevik cheat. Now his opponent is Sharky? Put down the edibles, but I will play along. I got Sharky