In the light of the interest shown in the respective merits of jack Dempsey compared to those of Jim Jeffries,I thought it might be interesting to switch their challengers and see how they would get on. Dempsey versus Sharkey 183lbs Sharkey went the 25rds distance with Jeffries and gave him a very tough, close fight. Q? Dempsey versus Ruhlin199.5lbs Ruhlin boxed on the retreat against Jeffries and was worn down and weakened by body shots,his manager pulled him out after the 5th round . Q? Dempsey versus Corbett 188lbs [The 1900 version] Corbett hadn't won a fight in the last 6 years he was in front after 23 rds but Jeffries wore him down for the ko. Q? Dempsey versus Finnegan, Finnegan qualified for this fight by being floored multiple times and stopped by Jeffries victim Ruhlin. Finnegan was floored immediately and got up crying A criminal mismatch. Q? Dempsey v Corbett[ 1903 version]Corbett 190lbs had not fought for 3 years and was one month from 37 years old. Q? Dempsey v Fitzsimmons 172lbs Fitzsimmons had been retired for 2 years and was 39 years old. Q? Dempsey versus Jack Munroe.Munroe 208lbs got his shot against Jeffries on the strength of being hyped as having floored Jeffries in an exhibition totally overawed he was despatched without trouble in 2 rounds,mismatch. Q? How does Jack do against them?
I don't see dempsey losing to any of jeffries foes. Jeffries vs Willard Jeffries wins by t.k.o. before round 6 Jeffries vs carpenter Jeffries wins round 4 by k.o. Jeffries vs firpo Jeffries wins by k.o before the 3rd Jeffries vs sharkey Tough fight but jeffries before the end by k.o. Jeffries vs tunney Jeffries losses a wide u.d. Would love to see dempsey vs fitzimmons and Johnson tho Dempsey knocks fitzimmons out before the 7th and Johnson before the end
Now Jeff versus Jack's challengers. Jeffries versus Billy Miske 187lbs.Miske was suffering from Bright's disease.I don't pretend to know how this affected him but his subsequent record was25 fights over the following3 years with wins over such as Renault,Roper,Brennan.Gibbons..Dempsey is the only man to ko him, which he did in3 rounds. Q? Jeffries versus Brennan188.25lbs Brennan gave Dempsey a very tough fight,before finally being stopped in the 12 round. Q? Jeffries versus Carpentier 172lbs. Obeying promoter Rickard's wishes Dempsey decided to take it easy on the Frenchman for a couple of rounds then Carpentier momentarily stunned him with a right hand and Dempsey decided to go to work ,hard body shots weakened Carp and Dempsey applied the finish in the 4th rd. Q ? Jeffries versus Gibbons175.5lbs.Dempsey had been out of the ring for 2 years when he defended against him and it showed, his timing was off and he found it hard to corner the smooth Gibbons early on.As he got into the fight Dempsey asserted his mastery and the decision was never in any doubt. Q ? Jeffries versus Firpo 216.5lbs the crude Firpo gave Dempsey some hairy moment knocking himout of the ring and dropping him for a flash kd Dempsey floored him7 times in the first round before finishing him in the 2nd. Q? Jeffries versus Tunney189.5lbs. Dempsey hadn't fought for3 years when he faced the fleet footed Tunney he was never in the fight taking a 10rds beating. Q? How does Jeffries do against them?
In all honesty I see jack ripping through Jeff's title challengers .To quick to powerful. But Gibbons and Brennan could be problem s for Jeff .Tunney ,I have no doubt s at all out speed's him for a wide decision win.
I don't think it's too hard to argue Fitz hit harder than Dempsey, Dempsey had to put way more in to get the KOs than Fitz did. Corbett was almost certainly faster than Dempsey, especially in terms of foot speed, and I'm not sure Dempsey could keep going like Jeffries could to eventually catch him. If Tunney was a 10 or even 15 rounder against Jeffries, it's hard to see Jeffries having much of a chance, he need a long fight to catch him.
I see your points but I think.by the time Jeffries faced Fitz and Corbett they had seen better days ,but admit they did put up great fights against Jeff.But I assume this is a young Dempsey facing these men so he'd be bringing speed ,power and a great chin to the table. I don't see either man getting past the tenth with Jack ,and that's not intended with disrespect to the pair.
Frankly I think that Willard may have been all wrong for Jeffries. I seem to remember Jeffries huffing and puffing and trying to outmuscle Johnson. Good luck doing that with Willard. On the other hand, I think Dempsey - old Dempsey, if we're being fair - would probably also lose to a prime Johnson although I think he'd do a lot better than Jeffries did.
Definitely Stil Jack. The only version I see struggling with Corbet and Fitz is the one with the Long lay off ,and facing Tunney. Jack would take the best they'd dish out and break em down.
