Holyfield's first 22 opponents v Jeffries' first 22

fists of fury · Sep 28, 2015

Just a bit off-topic quickly...what make you gents of the unsubstantiated rumour/excuse that Jeffries contracted lead poisoning from the fish he was catching in his quiet time during camp for the Johnson fight?

Boilermaker · Sep 28, 2015

mcvey said: ↑

janitor said: ↑

IF Jeffries was always going to have to rematch Corbett why did he wait for over 3 years before he did so? If he had offered an immediate rematch to Corbett your reply would be credible.
He didn't and it isn't .
Why was Finnegan a tune up opponent ?Jeffries had 5 months rest after the Sharkey fight,why couldn't he meet a worthy challenger? Jeffries fought Finnegan in April 1900 ,that year Fitz beat Jeff Thorne ,Ed Dunkhorst, and the two outstanding contenders outside himself,Gus Ruhlin and Tom Sharkey all by ko.Why didn't he get a rematch? From Sep1898 until Feb1902 Frank Childs had 24 fights without defeat would he not have been a more credible opponent than Finnegan? Ditto Klondike Haines.

Finnegan was a title defence, and a shameful one.In Finnegan's previous fight 3 months earlier Ruhlin had floored him7times before stopping him in 4 rounds he had no business anywhere near a title shot.

Finnegan, referred to by one paper as "The Human Punching Bag," was one of Jeffries's sparring partners at the time.
"Finnegan landed the first blow as they came to the center of the ring, and Jeffries then put his left on the Pittsburgh man's jaw and he went to the floor. Finnegan came up in a few seconds only to be sent to the floor again with a blow in the same place. He stayed down longer this time and when he again rose he was in visible distress. He had hardly assumed a fighting position before the champion put his left in the pit of his stomach and Finnegan went down completely out. Referee Siler counted the seconds off and when he stepped back it was seen that Finnegan was crying. He staggered to his feet, reeled against the ropes and his seconds rushed into the ring and carried him to his corner. It was several minutes before he recovered sufficiently to leave the ring. Jeffries said he weighed 220, but he looked 30 pounds heavier. Finnegan weighed but 180, and he looked like a boy beside the champion." Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Show me how Finnegan merited a title chance.Point out which victory indicated he should be in the ring with Jeffries.

McVey was a damn sight more ready for a title challenge than Munroe .

You asked who Jeffries should have fought I gave you 4 men more deserving than Munroe, Corbett 2, or Finnegan and no matter how you dress it up those are the facts.
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I am not so sure that Finnegan was actually a real title defence, to be honest. Jeffries fought George Lawlor for 6 rounds, the night before the Finnegan fight, in Chicago, which was at least a 6 hour or more train ride from the Finnegan fight. It is hard to believe that if this was a serious title contender that Jeffries wouldnt have at least had a training camp for the fight. It sounds more like an exhibition, which got turned into a title fight after the fact, because of the 1st round KO which could be used to pump Jeffries image.
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mcvey · Sep 29, 2015

fists of fury said: ↑

Just a bit off-topic quickly...what make you gents of the unsubstantiated rumour/excuse that Jeffries contracted lead poisoning from the fish he was catching in his quiet time during camp for the Johnson fight?
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Never heard of the story.Pollack does not mention it in his Jeffries book.I would put this with excuse of drugged tea.

mcvey · Sep 29, 2015

Boilermaker said: ↑

mcvey said: ↑

I am not so sure that Finnegan was actually a real title defence, to be honest. Jeffries fought George Lawlor for 6 rounds, the night before the Finnegan fight, in Chicago, which was at least a 6 hour or more train ride from the Finnegan fight. It is hard to believe that if this was a serious title contender that Jeffries wouldnt have at least had a training camp for the fight. It sounds more like an exhibition, which got turned into a title fight after the fact, because of the 1st round KO which could be used to pump Jeffries image.
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It was a title fight according to Box rec.Pollack disagrees.
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Holyfield's first 22 opponents v Jeffries' first 22

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Holyfield's first 22 opponents v Jeffries' first 22

fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

Boilermaker Boxing Junkie Full Member

mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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