I am curious as to the result predicted but more curious as to how you think this would play out. What would it look like? Lots of back and forth? A figuring out process? A voyage out into deep waters? More grappling or punching?
Corbett would have the sense to try to box, feel it out, then he'd figure out the ground. Not much back and forth. Just back. More punching than grappling. Jim would be terrorized. A pure nightmare. It would be ugly. It wouldn't last 5 rounds. Evander comes out to slug. Corbett comes out to stay at range to see what he's dealing with... Holyfield's first jab breaks the nose of Corbett, causing him to backpedal. Jim's backpedaling causes Evander to step forward and punch in combination, battering Corbett to the ground. It gets worse from there until a stoppage or KO.
1900 Corbett was in front after 22 rds against Jeffries ,as I'm sure you know. I have to think Holyfield was a better boxer than Jeffries, with a more versatile assortment of punches. Evander would go for it from the off imo and get a stoppage inside 9 rds and I'm trying to be kind here,the reality is it could be a quick ending if Holyfield can close the range early.
6 round's max ,I see it going. With Corbett maybe taking the first round ,,whilst Holyfield has a little feeling out round. From there on its Holy bit by bit ,hammering away to the head and body of Corbett .By the 5 th ,James J s face tells the story ,minutes later hes caughtby a pulverizing body shot that has him counted out .
Read a detailed round by round report. I posted some before. If you use the round by round report to judge, some like the NY Times, a primary source where the fight took place suggest Jeffries was in the lead. Adam Pollack, who you like to quote said it was anyone's fight going into the 23rd round. Corbett can defeat Holyfield. The ring size and the rounds matter. The best fight to look at might be Holyfield vs Chris Byrd. You could argue Holyfield would have done better if he was younger, but he clearly struggled here, even before he hurt his shoulder. Holyfield was an active fighter coming off a big win over Rhaman coming into this match.
Corbett was in front after 22 rds and Pollack confirms this in his bio of Jeffries.As do all contemporary papers. Holyfield was 40 years old when he fought Byrd!lol What is Corbett's best win? Come on, tell us what victory of his indicates he can beat Holyfield?
6* votes for a Gentleman Jim (so far)! Gotta love this place. *the Corbett by ko vote is probably a dumb prank vote but still.
