Nothing is impossible. When Johnson beat Tommy Burns he was strutting around with all the class and style of a champion, well at least some style anyway. When he returned from America one of the first challengers he received was from Gentleman Jim Corbett in a 10 round decision fight. Johnson wanted the fight but couldnt fine any backers to put up the cash and thus went running back with his tail between his legs to secure an easier Jeffries fight (a man who was not just retired but completely out of shape). Some say that from this point, Johnson lost his style and was never the same again. So, i guess it is possible that Corbett stole his style. In all seriousness, a 6 round decision fight between Corbett and Johnson would have been very, very interesting. Corbett was old, but still in fantastic shape and unlike most who retire, he stayed in fantastic shape. Corbett was capable of boxing rings around any boxer he fought, for six rounds, it seems that only really work rate and blind aggressiveness ever beat him (which wasnt Johnson's game). And i couldnt see Johnson landing a KO blow. I think a 6 or even 4 rnd filmed bout between the two at this time would have actually been something i would like to see, far more than most of Johnsons title matches to be honest.
Corbett was finished after the first Jeffries fight, thats why he agreed to the fake with Sharkey, he had problems with his eyes too. A fast boxer, who lacks top end power, and relies on both his reflexes and speed to keep him out of trouble ,places himself in harms way when those god given attributes have irrevocably departed, this would only be drastically emphasised by said boxer having had a long period of inactivity. Take some water with it B.
