Corbett - Jackson Draw a myth ...

Here's an interesting excerpt from 'Champions Off Guard' in a chapter about Jeffries in which Inglis recounts a conversation with Mike Donovan:

"Suppose," I said to Mike Donovan one day as we were walking up Fifth Avenue, "Jeffries and Sullivan could be matched, each in his best condition; wouldn't Jeff beat John L.?"

"Hah!" Mike snorted at the absurdity of my question. He grabbed my arm and swung me around to face him. "If those two were to fight," he said, "each one at this best, all Central Park wouldn't be big enough for Jeff to run around in. I don't mean to disparage Jeffries: he's a fine young fellow and a good man - but there never was anyone in the Big Fellow's class. He blasted men to bits. Jeff deserves to be champion - but there'll never be another Sulivan."

 

I think that the surviving media exposure jumps up a noth between Jacksons prime, and Corbetts title reign/late career. One result of this is that Corbett and Fitz's best wins have kept their sparkle a bit more. For example Jacksons win over Slavin seems to have been a big deal at the time.

 

I don't think that there was another puncher comparable to Sullivan until Sam Langford, or perhaps even Jack Dempsey.

 

I read a detailed round by round. The report did not indicate Jackson was hampered. If you score based on the report, I came away with Corbett winning more of the rounds, but Jackson having the best moments of the first 25 rounds.

It is fact that Corbett offered Jackson a rematch in a hotel, but Jackson didn't like the venue.

 

Either in New Orleans or Jacksonville, which is where Corbett was known for beating Sullivan and Mitchell.

I never saw or read any high level fight where a man was attacked before or after the fight in the 1800's. Jackson himself was well liked by the press. He was a gentleman.

 

I think this is hog wash. The talent Sullivan fought was not that great. Any puncher is going to blow them out. Ftiz was a better puncher.

 

Sullivan absolutely destroyed his competition during his prime. He was preternaturally fast and powerful. By the time Corbett or Jackson came along he was already physically debilitated and only marginally committed to the sport. Even then there was doubt among contemporaries that either could take him.

 

"Fitz was a better puncher."

Well, I guess you would know that better than a fellow like Mike Donovan

 

But could Peter have beaten prime Jack Johnson?

 

Possibly, but it is all speculation.

Jackson is a puzzle wrapped in an enigma.

 

Interesting stuff from all posters, I would like to know more.
I believe Corbettt ducked a rematch with Jackson .
There is indeed a school of thought that Jackson was slightly past prime when he fought Corbett.

I don't know enough to decide on that.
I also don't know that I could put Jackson above Fitzsimmons. Though he probably deserves to be above Corbett.

 

I would be interested to hear you expand upon that.

 

Corbett waited until Jackson was safely Down Under then strutted around challenging him to meet him below the Mason Dixon line and accusing Jackson of ducking him, Corbett was a piece of work.
Jackson said he would fight Corbett anywhere except the deep south.

ps Not enough room in a hotel ,an airport gents would be fine though.:good:yep