Jack Sharkey vs. Povetkin

I don’t think the Schmeling fights are the best example of technical displays by Sharkey, who at his peak is a great infighter and utilized more head movement than any other heavyweight form the period. Honestly that footage might be the clunkiest I’ve seen Jack, maybe you can use the argument that he looked so clunky because Schmeling was his most difficult opponent but he doesn’t really display his usual shiftiness or movement even when Max isn’t really doing anything.

I think these give the best idea as to Sharkey’s movement and head movement:

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One of his better infighting displays, against a fighter who imo is substantially superior to Max as a technician in Loughran:

https://youtu.be/ycRC6h0N1OU?si=3YMZXrn6sdByFaaL

 

I disagree, in the other videos Sharkey is utilizing much more head movement and more overall versatility with regard to his footwork and punch variety. His footwork and balance are his weakest attributes but constantly shifting and level changing does make up for it which he isn’t doing much of against Schmeling. That’s just my perspective though.

 

Oh sorry I misread it

 

Sharkey’s right is nowhere near the calibre of his left but he does also seem to know the risks when throwing his right hand as well considering how he moves his head, or closes distance for a clinch, or steps out of range immediately after throwing them. He also seems to know when the appropriate time is to throw and time it and has confidence to get out of the way in time. Not the first nor the last time a world class fighter got away with throwing less than stellar punches with the knowledge and speed to get away in time in case it went south, and that’s not even taking into account when Sharkey threw solid short right hands on counters where he wouldn’t lose his balance. Sharkey is many things but I wouldn’t call predictable one of them; he varied between erratic left hooks and rights to short and well timed ones. An erratic fighter

I also heard that Jack’s right hand was compromised early in his career due to a hand injury though I haven’t seen proof for that.