How many historians ranked Jeffries #1, up to 1940?

AS Louis progressed from his early days Jonson took an interest in himand offerred himself as trainer to Joe's pilot's Roxborough and Black,"Roxie" sent him away with a flea in his ear,telling him they were happy with Blackburn ,called Johnson a "lowdown no good n****r,and said he had put the progress of Black people back with his attitude.Johnson had sparred with the135lbs Blackburn years earlier [1908 ] and the fast lightweight had embarassed Jack.Blackburn served time for "cutting" a man,when he was released from jail, the fight crowd held a benefit for him,Johnson wa approached ,and askesd to participate he refused and called Blackburn all sorts of derogatory names .Johnson held no love for "Chappie" and consequently none for Louis,as early as the Carnera fight Johnson was making negative statements about Louis to the press ,there was also very likely an element of jealousy involved Johnson had been the only "Black King",and by his actions had made it allmost impossible for another Negro to hold the title.Now with Louis cutting down the contenders like wheat Johnson probably saw the prospect of his fame being eclipsed and resented it.Jack would never be complimentary to Louis .

 

I agree Jeffries is closer to 6'1" 1/2" than 6'3". Keep digging. You might find a better source for those unlisted fights.

 

"Walcott himself didn't think much of Holmes" etc

I don't know what Walcott thought about Holmes, but he gave Ali his due.

Walcott in 1965 said Ali was the greatest heavyweight of all time and would have handled Louis and all the others. I don't think it is fair to lump him with Johnson, or even Jeffries, for self-centered egoism and "old timerism".

 

back to Jeff's height, he certainly does not appear to tower over Fitz by 3 inches, indeed he appears about similar to Corbett and Johnson in stature.

 

There are som notable exceptions.

Joe Walcott was the first person I know of to suggest that Ali might be the greatest apart from Ali himself.

Archie Moore said that Tyson was the greatest heavyweight of all time after he beat Michael Spinks and added.

"I fought some of the best so I should know"

There are other examples.

 

Zora Folley ,after his dissection by Ali said he was a level above everyone who came before him .Folley had been in with Liston,Machen,etc.Jack Sharkey spoke very complimentary of Ali too.

 

The International Boxing Hall of Fame states Jeffries height at 6-2 1/2 weight 206-227 lbs. I dug up the flyer from my visit but it is also here from the IBHOF's historian http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/jeffries.htm

 

jeffries knocked out frank childs?

 

According to the article written by Ben Benjamin in the San Francisco Chronicle 5-22-1896, he did.

 

And Ed Martin too, according to other sources. I am interested to see if Appolak's book has found any new information on these reported results.

 

It would seem the truly greatest do get their due in their time from notable authorities, albeit sometimes not cheerfully, but at least honestly. A poker-faced Marciano praised Ali against Chuvalo in the Youtube clip. I love those moments of candor, when the varnish seems to fail and souls are bared. I still see a taken-aback Ali's insistent and most uncharacteristic praise of a peak Tyson on Arsenio as such a moment.

As for the thread, promotor Rickard and Jack Johnson himself proclaimed Jeff the greatest, as does an enthusiastic Tracy Callis.
www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/callis.html

 

Perhaps this is due to old-timers' revulsion for dancing "Fancy Dans", who seemingly do not put full weight behind those flicking jabs. Dempsey says as much in his book.

 

Yes it is also on his official bio and in the Hall of Fame records. Some still say it is unconfirmed though it was widely reported.

 

It is both unconfirmed and unlikely.