Could the Sullivan that fought McCormick have won the title when Jeffries retired?

In a bizarre series of events, Sullivan decides to enter the title picture at the age of 46. His only feat at this age was knocking out journeyman Jim McCormick in 2 rounds in 1905, who went 18 rounds with Gus Ruhlin and 15 rounds with a green Jack Johnson.

Could Sullivan have any chance against the likes of Burns, Hart, Root, O'Brien at this stage of his career?

 

Sullivan's dominance was due to a list of things, speed being a key part but skill and power also had a significant role. That said, this was when Sullivan was like 195 and at this stage he was 270 pounds when he KO'd McCormick.

Still though, power is the last thing that goes and the old George carried his power at a similar age. There's no way his cardio was on the level it was though

 

Honestly if Sullivan were to have a last hurrah, the most dignified would've been against Fitzsimmons in 1898. Sure he's a bloated 38 year old by this point, but he always has that power and Fitzsimmons isn't unhittable nor unhurtable.

Logically you must favour Bob, but it could've made for an exciting, short fight.

 

To be fair, the division’s most skilled appeared to mainly be comprise of middleweights and light heavyweights until at least the 1910s. Sure there were great 185-200+ pound heavys before then but it wasn’t nearly as vast of a talent pool