How would James Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons have fared if you put them in the era between the retirment of Gene Tunney and the rise of Joe Louis? At the time is was the consensus that they were a league above the contemporary champions, as we today think of the champions of the 70s. Given arguments put forward on this site about the evolution of boxing techniques I think many posters would question that consensus. What do people think?
Braddock is interesting here. I don't think you could find a version to beat Corbett, but I would bet on him to handle Fitzsimmons.
Hard to say. Even fighters renowned for their durability somtimes fell to the combos of Fitzsimmons. If he fought sombody like Uzcdun it would be hard to predict what would happen.
Hm, I pick Schmeling to beat both but Corbett having a good chance. Sharkey at his best would do so too but he also could lose to both. Same goes for Baer I think also him losing to Corbett and beaing Fitz is most likely. Carnera to beat Fitz but lose to Corbett. Braddock to lose to Corbett and be 50/50 with Fitz.
I think Corbett would outbox Baer, also outbox Schmelling but it would a more difficult fight. Corbett would decision Sharkey and Uzcudun. James J Corbett would even have a chance to defeat the great Joe Louis based on styles. Corbett was a master boxer par excellence. Fitz vs Baer would be a great fight. I like Baer by knockout though. He also could give Schmelling some problems but I think the German would eventually win by knockout. Uzcudun would take Fitz's best but lose by decision or possibly late stoppage. I think Fitz could take Sharkey (Jack this time not Sailor Tom) by late kayo. Louis would be too much for Ruby Robert and win by early devastatting knockout IMO.
I like Fitz and Corbett to beat Braddock. Corbett would beat Carnera without much trouble but Fitz might have more difficulty because of Primo's immense size and strength. I'll call it Carnera by decision even though I regard Fitz as the better fighter. About 90lbs. of solid muscle advantage for Primo here.
Fitz vs Carnera would be interesting the size difference would be huge put yet Fitz would still have a chance. I think they might both beat Braddock and Corbet might beat Baer depending on what condition Max is in.
Braddock was essentially a good journeyman., He was neither big, nor fast, or very skilled. No credible historian rates Braddock over Fitz. And I've never seen anyone pick Braddock to " handle " Fitzsimmons.
