against all the Lineal HW champs that there's been. If you had to pick one of them, who would it be? Jeffries was obviously the stronger of the two, and had the better chin and power. However, when the times change, and it goes to a 15 round fight, Corbett might be able to spoil a lot better than Jeffries could with his movement. Who do you think does better?
If we're assuming these men fight according to the rules and techniques of the day the champions in question inhabit, I would go or Jeffries as the puncher of the two. Corbett was more brilliant and might do better pre-Louis, but from Louis on, Corbett's brilliance will be tempered by advancing technique and changing ruleset. Jeffries meanwhile will always have the chance at separating more modern champs from their senses. Of course, if it is established that modernity is inherently superior, the possibility of Corbett - who was nearly as iron born as Jeffries - establishing an early lead that can't be overhauled is something that should be acknowledged. Still, I don't see that happening, because Jeffries was every bit as hard to beat if not more so than Corbett, by contemporaries.
If a past prime Corbett can outbox Jeffries before gassing out a prime incarnation beats The Grizzly.
Unsure both might do equally well. Although I could see Corbett being more elusive giving more fighters problems down the road than Jeff. At least what Ive seen from Jeff.
So you said this. "Corbett because shorter fights favor him." Where is the basis for your statement? Jeffries relied on wearing down his opponents and he was prepared to ship a considerable amount of punishment to do so. That is not a plan of tactical brilliance against bigger, stronger, younger men. Corbett was the original "punch and get out," tactician. Jeffries was often left looking like a gargoyle in his victories. What would he look like after taking heavy jabs from super heavyweights with monotonous regularity? Jeffries had 24 figths finished with his nose busted 3 times a cauliflower ear and scar tissue above both eyes.He didn't slip punches, and he didn't ride them, he just absorbed them.Not a good plan against Liston Foreman, Louis , Dempsey,Lewis,Tyson .
Corbett was a point scorer. He often was winning in the first 12 rounds of a fight. I believe he was beating both Fitz and Jeffries in the first 12 rounds of their fights. Long fights gives durable guys an advantage over him, as they can wait for him to tire himself out from his mobile style.