I don't know much about the guy but he has some good scalps, some pretty bad losses and a reputation as a really talented guy who was very tempermental and inconsistent. I know his win over Schmeling was close and controversial and that he was busting Max's ass in their first fight before he was dq'd. He also beat Wills when Wills was past his prime and he fought very well against Dempsey before the low blow? and knockout. And then there's the mysterious loss to Carnera and the surprising draw against Walker. Evidently he was fairly slick, had a good accurate right hand and good hustle when he was so inclined. What do you guys think about Sharkey? Does he beat Ron Lyle?
Your description of his strengths and weaknesses is prety accurate, although what tends to get overlooked is the fact that there is a substantial period on his record where he was prety consistent. At his best he probably beats Ron Lyle, but on one of his off days he would get his head handed to him.
At his best he was a threat to anyone, at his worst he could lose to nearly anyone. He had a good run in his prime though where his only loss was the one to Dempsey. And he was ranked in the ing´s Top10 fo something like 8 or 9 years if my memory serves me right. Pretty underrated IMO. Not a Top10 or 15 guy but can be ranked between 15 and 25 without a problem. Oh, and he lost to Schmeling, everyone thought so but the judges. At least parts of the fight are on youtube too. The first fight went four rounds, hard to tell how it would have played out IMO. Walker simply was that good and Sharkey was already starting to slip. Sharkey beat Carnera the fist time but Carnera improved a lot since then, especially his jab, and that uppercut could have KOed anyone, just a perfect punch that landed at the perfect spot. Happens. When he is on the better side of his game he beats Lyle and wide. On a bad night he could lose.
One of histories underappreciated great heavyweights. I'll be mooting the term great more often than I previously have and currently, for me, the term defines anyone who reaches top spot in their division by my estimation. Seriously though this man fought dempsey, wills, schmelling and louis. That's pretty much the best heavyweights of the 20's, 30's and 40's. Sensational.
Should have been given a title shot against Gene Tunney. He was better than both Dempsey and Heeney at that point, and a much bigger threat to beat Tunney.
Tunney would have beaten Sharkey..with Tunney you talk about a guy who STAYED focused...and Sharkey didn't exceed Tunney in any aspect except maybe power. Tunney would have cooly and deliberately beaten the mercurial, tempermental Gob.