James J Jeffries.. Would He Survive 15 Rounds Against Joe Louis?

Maybe his defense would be good enough to take him four.

 

As I have said before, I do not see any heavyweight who ever lived having an easy fight with James J. Jeffries.

I will say if the fight takes place in the Jim Jeffries era Jeffries finishes but loses a decision to Louis. If it takes place in the Joe Louis era, it is 50-50 for Jeffries to finish and lose the decision or suffer a referee stoppage, late, in favor of a Louis KO win. In the more recent era the referee stops it earlier and Louis gets the TKO win.

Some of the rounds in all of these scenarios could be rough, and it is certainly possible that Joe may have to rise from the canvas.

 

Based on the very limited footage we have of Jeffries I would say no. He seems to me, an extremely tough man, that was a good athlete and used those attributes to win, rather than scientific defense or movement. I don’t think that style gets you to the final bell against Louis. I do believe he was talented enough that if he came along in a later generation he would have adjusted to more modern techniques. But the guy we have on film attacking Rhulen, Sharkey and past it Johnson is too wide open to get hit over the long hall. Tko on cuts for Louis in under 10 for me

 

Arturo Godoy took him the distance once, Jeffries deserves the benefit of the doubt.

 

Retiring with a nose broken 3 times, scar tissue above and below both eyes ,and a cauliflower ear after just 24 professional fights does not indicate good defence,nor does the footage available.

 

Are the JJ and Fitzs clips all we have of Jeffries?

 

From the footage I've been I think he'd have been shredded to ribbons ... does he go th distance like a Tommy Far or Godoy the first time, maybe, maybe not ... not sold on Jeffries other than a very strong, tough guy from his era ... the Ruhlin footage , the faint Sharkey footage and the past prime Johnson footage just don't show me more ...

 

Plus a snippet of Sharkey.Plus some footage of him training for Ruhlin2.

 

@mcvey
@Fergy

Thanks buds.

 

There is no way to know these things. Matchup could play out in many different ways. But we do know that Jeffries never was knocked down until his long retirement ruined him. And he was fighting 20 and 25 round fights. We also know that Arturo Godoy and Tommy Farr went 15 with Louis. So it’s certainly possible that Jeffries goes rounds with Louis. Might even deck him. Several guys did, and Jeff decked everyone pre retirement. People forget that Jeffries could stalk but he could also stick and move with footwork. More versatile than folks realize. His natural caution, with footwork, dips, and heavy jabs, and strong clinching could make it a more difficult fight for Louis than meets the eye.

 

Very legit points. I just see that low left creating a landing strip for Louis' hair-trigger right hand, traveling 18 inches, and making the rear of Jim's head touch his spine.

 

Very interesting fight. The main compliment for Jeffries defense was that he guarded 'the vital points' well. I suspect, if a 1903 Jeffries met prime Louis, Louis would be sore but smiling the next day, his offense a bit of an eye opener (and closer) for Jeffries. [EDIT: I'd favor Louis to eventually stop a straight-out-of-1903 Jeffries].
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A 'Louis-era Jeffries' -- a Jeffries talent, developing to the opportunities of Louis's time in ratio as Jeffries had to those of his own day -- I see as a very dangerous underdog, probably at some point of the fight having to step it up to either not end up outpointed or stopped-first; either Jeffries can do this and beat Louis up while paying the price, or else it's too far out out of Jeffries typical modus operandi while opening the flood gates Louis's fists. I'd still favor Louis, but a Jeffries win would be only a mild surprise.

The converse scenario, 'a Jeffries-era Louis' vs. Jeffries, in the grappling-permissive turn of the century, 20/25 rounds, would be the best scenario for Jeffries, giving him latitutde to both contain Louis's worst along with scope to steadily attrition him. Louis maybe not as sleek as his 35-48 version, but still recognized as a cool finisher with punching skill and power in each hand. I would not be in any degree surprised by either boxer winning.