Does anyone go through Jack Sharkeys resume undefeated?

One of the less credible candidates.

The schedule beats him before the opening bell, in many of those fights.

 

If we match Louis in his last profesional figth, against the opponent that Sharkey fought in his last profesional figth, then Louis has to fight a better version of himself.

Probably fair to pick against him in that situation!

 

Foreman

 

An unlikely candidate I would say.

Foreman was ridiculously protected in his pre title run.

If Foreman did this, it would fundamentally change our understanding of what he was.

 

First off, after looking at it I can't see anyone matching that perfectly. He fought a real who's who of the two eras.

Instead ill say who I think the most successful would be, and to that it has to be those with abnormal longevity at this level. 9 names come to mind in terms of longevity at the top level:

Wlad
Vitali
Ali
Louis
Lewis
Holmes
Tyson
Holyfield
Johnson.

Those are the men with the best chance because of the time scale we're talking. If I can ****d later I'll break down what I reckon their records would end up like.

 

Why would I make an allowance for Ali's amateur pedigree? The question is who would go through Sharkey's resume undefeated. The answer is ALI would. His amateur pedigree is certainly a big reason why.

And Ali wouldn't decline "quicker" if he fought Sharkey's resume. Through 1972, Ali had 41 pro fights. He'd lost one - to Frazier - after he'd returned from a nearly four-year layoff. 1972 was one of the years in his comeback where he arguably looked the best.

If Ali fought Sharkey's resume, there would be no layoff. And the Ali of 1967 who defeated Terrell and Zora Folley would be facing Mickey Walker and Primo Carnera.

The Ali who fought Liston would fight Jack Dempsey coming off the first Tunney one-sided beating.

Ali would be facing Unknown Winston (instead of Joe Frazier in 1971). Tommy Loughran instead of Jimmy Ellis.

And Joe Louis (coming off a KO defeat TWO MONTHS earlier) instead of Quarry.

I think Ali could manage. At 27, 28, 29 and 30, I'm sure he could manage.

 

Ok, I had not grasped the point of career concept. Even you go by years you have Louis of Conn II vs post Schmeling I Louis who had a chip on his shoulder.

 

Most of the guys on Sharkey's resume woudn't even qualify as sparring partners for Vitali.

Also, the dude had a 25 year career in combat sports. Take out the 4 year layoff and that is still a long, long career. It's amazing he wasn't injured more often.

So, again, Vitali.

 

Sharkey fought Carnera seven and nine years into his pro career.

That means the Ali from 1967 and 1969 would've faced Carnera. There are no fights of Ali's that we can review from 1969. But I'm going to go on faith and say that Muhammad Ali in his absolute prime could probably handle Primo Carnera and Max Schmeling.

The Ali who fought Jimmy Ellis and Joe Frazier in 1971 would be facing light heavy Tommy Loughran and the Unknown Winstons of the world. I think Ali could manage that. And I doubt they'd have inflicted as much damage on him as Frazier actually did.

And Joe Louis had the living **** beaten out of him by Max Schmeling TWO MONTHS before he fought Sharkey. They no doubt picked Sharkey because Sharkey was done at that point.

But if Joe Louis, having barely healed from his beating against Schmeling, stepped in against the 1972 version of Ali, I don't take Louis in that one.

Sharkey has a fine resume. I just think during the first 12 years of his pro career, Ali would beat them all.

I think there's a better chance Ali loses early on rather than later on.

Then again, Wills and Godfrey who Sharkey fought certainly weren't any better than Archie Moore when Ali fought him in 1962. None of them were world beaters at that point.

 

Most of the guys on Vitali's resume wouldn't qualify as sparring partners for Vitali either !

(... or for Sharkey)