Jeffries 1910 Reno Or Jackson1898 ? Who Was Farthest Over That Hill?

Jackson probably had TB; Jeffries was just out of shape.

 

Hardly worth responding to with respect, I actually think-with no solid proof to back it up, mind-that Jeffries could have beaten any non top ten fighter in 1910-maybe most top 5-10? Jackson wasn't competitive probably with a top 30 class of fighter IMO.

 

Jackson was a bit more past it, but obviously both guys weren't anywhere near the same after so many years of inactivity combined with abuse of their bodies. Peter was slightly older than Jeff was when he came back. He did not have TB at that time, but he trained less than Jeff did for Johnson. Jeff had worked for about 1.5 years and steadily and gradually tried to shake off years of inactivity. Jackson was doing the same, but took much less time to do it. Jackson was a known boozer, while Jeff both drank and overate, though I think food was his bigger vice. Jackson had less weight to lose, for he took a little better care of himself physically, acting as a boxing coach. The actual result might make one think Jackson was further past it, but that doesn't hold as much water as you think, because style matchup had something to do with it. Jeff was a big strong puncher, so he got a shot guy out of there faster. Conversely, Johnson was not taking any chances with a very big dude who's best chance was to land a bomb, so he fought more cautiously and defensively and gradually wore down a guy known for a chin, durability, and heavy hands. Both were said to look good in training, but then anyone can look good against inferior sparring partners. When they got in there with real talent that was not past-it like they were, obviously we know what happened.

 

Jackson was in my view was further past it than jeff, and honestly, I don't think it's that close.

 

Always love the insight bud.. just curious why you don't think Jackson had TB... What exactly are you basing this on? Seems to me, it's likely he did since he was so far gone only 3 years later.

 

Well, he didn't have active TB. Inactive TB won't be noticeable and should not affect performance. TB when active will affect the lungs, and no one said Jackson had a lung ailment affecting him at the time he was training for Jeff. TB can remain in an inactive (dormant) state for years without causing symptoms or spreading to other people. When the immune system of a patient with dormant TB is weakened, the TB can become active (reactivate) and cause infection in the lungs or other parts of the body. The most common symptoms and signs of TB are fatigue, fever, weight loss, coughing, and night sweats. Often, they'll cough up blood. Many years ago, this disease was referred to as "consumption" because these patients often would waste away and die. It was a very common cause of death back then, and most likely its symptoms would have been noticed. Jackson, from all appearances, looked to be physically fit and was the same fighting weight as in his prime. Jackson fought Jeff in March 1898. He died in July 1901, over three years later. Unlike today, they had no really effective treatment for it during Jackson's lifetime, so it isn't surprising that he would die quickly from it once it became active, particularly if he had an alcohol problem as well.

 

Actually, Jackson had been in training for prospective comeback matches since early December 1897, so he wasn't just training cold. He fought Jeff in late March 1898. He did look phyiscally fit to those who saw his body and saw him in training. But the earlier point re inactivity and relatively less preparation time than Jeff remains the same.

Jackson did not have TB in the early 1890s. I challenge anyone to find primary sources saying otherwise. In fact, I am not aware of any primary sources that say Jackson's ribs were broke against Slavin or that his lungs were punctured. My recollection is Jackson easily beat Slavin and came out relatively unscathed.

Jackson was physically fit and well and ready to fight Corbett for the championship all the way up to late 1894, but when he realized there was no real likelihood that the bout would happen, he gave up and essentially retired. Then he became a boozer.

Actually, Jackson fought Jeffords over a YEAR after fighting Jeffries. He may very well have been suffering from TB at that point. Jeffords was a big dude at 6'4", but he wasn't much, as you noted. Of course, Jackson not fighting for a year after the Jeffries bout says something too.

 

As far as I know, Jackson and Slavin were to appear in at least one exhibition bout of 5 rounds shortly after their actual bout, on June 5. If Jackson had had broken ribs, I don't think he'd be able to participate in it. I don't have an actual source for it, though, just a brief mention of it in Sunday NY Herald (quoting its European edition).

 

McVey, What is your source? Is it primary? Sounds like b.s. fanciful spin written years later to make a good story, but I don't know.

 

Ribs were sore but not broken.

Yes Jeff quickly realized Peter was gone and stepped back when he saw he was out, for Peter was hanging there helplessly, sitting on a lower rope, with his head dropping down.

Jeff took no credit for the victory, saying Peter was a shell of himself. Peter did look good in the first round, causing some to think it might be a long fight. But Jeff was taking his time and feeling him out, as he often did. Once he started attacking and unleashing the power, he got Jackson out of there quick.