This content is protected I've seen this footage a few times, but it's usually abnormally fast in the same way silent era films usually are. Also not colourized originally, but that is thanks to Legends of Boxing in Colour in YouTube. This content is protected This adjusted speed, while FAR from perfect, makes it much easier to notice the small things about their styles and punch form. Sharkey starts off by throwing a half assed jab at 0:03, but then throws a solid right cross to the body at 0.07, before attempting a decent left hook that Jeffries parries. Sharkey springs his right hand up pretty frequently while feinting, seems like he's anxious to parry's Jeff's left. Sharkey then throws a good body jab at, which he follows with a good jab attempt at 0:10, before going upstairs with another jab to the head while parrying at the same time. The form he uses for his jab reminds me of Billy Edwards throws his jab, very bare knuckle-esque. Then a bit of a slap fight ensues at 0:12-0:15, with Sharkey being incredibly chaotic whereas Jeffries was more reserved. The Sailor looks pretty crude in this exchange. Jeffries then throws a good right hand followed by a left hook at 0:16, before going to the body with a very good jab. Jeffries' right hand is constantly looking to parry, and I'm pretty sure this is part of his crouch defense. Jeffries then catches Sharkey with another good left hook at 0:20, and it seems like he had another right hand-left hook combo cooking at 0:21, but couldn't really land. Seems like he throws a jab to the body at 0:23 as well. Throughout this sequence, Sharkey seems like the type to throw technique out of the window when the infighting heats up. I've read that Sharkey's trainer neglected training him scientifically due to being so crude, and that he didn't want to hurt his confidence. However, this clip indicates that he did have SOME refinement. I was more impressed with Jeffries though, boxing looks more like a second nature to him.
Lol, that’s quite a chest expansion displayed by Sharkey. He was a solid fella though really only 5’8” tall at best - and perhaps that bit less if some later photos are anything to go by - unless Tom drastically shrank with age. There’s a photo of older Tom with Harry Greb and Tom looks like he’s dropping a good 2”.
However anyone rates him as a fighter, he was a tough son of gun. He appeared to be quite a happy Chappy later in life also. The quality of that photo depicting his black eye, cauliflower ear and tall ship tattoo is quite impressive for its time. It really captured the essence of the man. Perfect to hang in a gym. Interestingly, though he also served in the Navy, I don’t believe his namesake Jack Sharkey had any tattoos -also, there was possibly more pressure to get a tatt whilst in the Navy back then than there is today. It would be interesting to compile a list of old time fighters who did have tattoos.
Jim Jeffries and Sailor Sharkey here are pawing and playing like a pair of old Tom cats, Good on them. I’ll bet boxing for those two boxing would’ve felt like a phantom limb itch in retirement.
