How good would an incredibly consistent Sharkey's career be?

Depends how many smooth walls he’s willing to ride up. Without the legs he’s just Jack, Jack all.

 

Would all that include a better ring IQ and more control over his emotions?

 

The best version of Sharkey has the potential to beat every opponent he ever faced, maybe even Louis

 

This …

The problem is that you never knew which version of Sharkey was going to show up. And the best one didn’t often rear its head. But the man had chops.

 

It just goes to show that dedication, commitment and focus are highly significant attributes and ingredients to success - isolating the lack of same really is excluding a bit chunk of what often comprises a very good to great fighter.

Sharkey is just one of many fighters this thought experiment could be applied to with a hypothetical conclusion of a far greater career than they actually did have.

Besides honing one’s skills, the limitation to the potential of their skills is somewhat out of their control.

However, their character is something they can control and improve if necessary - and supplementary character can be the linchpin to high level success.

 

He would certainly be better (in some fights) if he prepared with rigor and focus, but to me ‘consistent’ doesn’t mean he’d maintain his peak level throughout his career.

Lots of fighters who were rigorous trainers and serious commitment also had ups and downs.

Chalk it up to biorhythms or outside-the-ring distractions or emotional highs/lows, all of the above or anything else, but I’m not sure there’s ever been a fighter who maintained peak form in every single fight no matter how dedicated or committed to training they might have been.

 

I didn’t even mention horoscopes: You know a Pisces is going to have a tough go against a Gemini every single time.

 

I doubt he ever beats prime Louis, or Dempsey.

That being said, I think he certainly had the chops to take on Tunney, Carnera and even decision Baer