In a short interview on returning from the health resort in Carlsbad, Jim Jeffries stated he was in good shape, and scaled 220lbs. This was in October 1909 ,9 months before he faced Johnson. Sam Berger, acting as Jeffries manager had signed articles for the fight in August of that year. Jeffries stated he was running 10 miles daily whilst in Europe. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00E16FD3F5A15738DDDAA0A94D8415B898CF1D3
In shape or not, it was almost 5 years since Jeff fought, so he had a load of rust to deal with also. The Johnson fight should not be held in against him.
Another nice find, McVey. Seriously, don't get a job or a girlfriend. It might interfere with my enjoyment reading these clips you post. Even if popular mythology is incorrect, and Jeffries was a glistening stud of a specimen (which according to many acquaintances he was not), just think of Sugar Ray Leonard returning to face Hector Camacho, chiseled shoulders, bulging biceps and abs like an oft-flooded mountain road. And then remember him getting hammered out by an over the hill Camacho. Unless you are a freak named Vitali fighting a slob named Sam, this situation just does not play out in real life.
Oh I agree, I am beginning to think Jeffries shifted the excess weight too quickly,which would have further drained his allready depleted stamina. Not sparring with young turks may have been a deliberate strategy ,[so as not to expose just how far back he had gone,] but that does not alter the fact that it was a mistake. Cosmetically Jeffries looked pretty good, but so did Ali when he got in the ring with Holmes. You cannot compensate for 5 years inactivity,even if you are living a monks life, and Jeffries liked his whisky As to employment I have others earning my coin,and my partner runs a local surgery, so I have plenty of time on my little maulies.
it was actually 6 years since his last bout, and he had only fought perhaps twice within an 8 year period. I don't think most people realize how far removed from his prime Jeffries really was..
Seamus' analysis is spot on and should be the final one when discussing Jeffries condition going into his fight with Johnson. Jim may have been in good shape relative to a man in his 30's who needed to shed a lot of weight to look good for a wedding....or reunion or family get together....But he was not in shape to fight the HW champion of the world who happened to be in his prime and was a few years younger to boot. Looking good and being good are two different things. Especially when it comes to Boxing.
Am I suppose to add Jeff into that LONG list of thong wearing fighters around the 1890's, early 1900's? I am kinda of shock to see Jeff go all Jim Corbett here. atsch
Has anyone suggested otherwise?:huh Johnson was 32 ,Jeffries 35, I dont think that is significant really. Wlad's next challenger is all but 40. This is Jeffries in his last title defence ,against Munroe, he looks in better shape against Johnson than here ,imo. Notice the soft midriff and the lack of muscle tone to the arms? Jeffries was 224.5lbs for this fight This content is protected Here he is at 227lbs. This content is protected Here he is with Gene Tunney. This content is protected
