Let us just assume that this fight takes place under a 10 round limit (as many title fights did). Further, if we can assume that this fight ended up exactly the same way as the first 10 rounds of the first fight. If it did, I am interested as to how this would have effected each fighters legacy. Would Johnsson have still got the decision or would Jeffries have done enough to earn a draw or controversial win, in the corrupt and different times. Would either man's legacy have differed any as a result of this change in circumstances, or would there legacies be substantially the same.
This makes for a very interesting question, and one that I'm not sure there is an answer to. 1. From what I gather, Johnson was winning for most of the fight, therefore likely would have been beating Jeff at the 10 round mark 2. How the judges would have treated Jeffries is something that I'm not sure of. 3. As for legacy, I think even if it had been a controversial ending with Jeffries as the winner, I think it still would have helped him. Folks would probably have factored in the notion that he was a 35 year old man and an icon coming back after a 6 year period with short time to get in shape. Some would have always held it against him for recieving a free gift, but I think most would have swept it under the carpet given the above mentioned circumstances. If anything, it would have improved Jeffries' legacy - not Johnson's.
I have 7 rounds of this fight, and Johnson relly took Jeff to town. I think Johnson's legend may have gone down for not knocking out Jeff perhaps?? Maybe? Not sure. Assuming the cards falls into Jim's hands. This would have been a robbery up there with Holyfiled Lewis I.
Interesting stuff happened before the fight. Apparently, Jeffries was horrible in camp. Even his soft touch sparring partners were going to town on him and hurting him. His brother was beside himself as to what to do about it, trying to convince him not to go through with the fight. Ketchel saw the camp and was so astounded he threatened to KO Jeffries during the ring introductions so as to save him from the beating Johnson would surely administer. My point is, Jeffries couldn't even beat his own sparring partners so there was no way he was going to beat Johnson in any manner at this time.
Johnson would have won the decision, unless the contract called for a stoppage winner, then it would have been a no decision, with Johnson getting the newspaper nod. I do think Jeffries legacy took an unfair hit because of this fight in modern times. He is quoted out of context, and 99% of sports fans only see the final rounds of the match when he was tired and on his way out. To parallel, what if the only film on Joe Louis was vs Charles or Marciano, or if the only film on Ali was vs Holmes?
Johnson did not start to go to town on Jeffries till about the 7th rd. Knowing the fight was over 10 would have put a dramatically different complexion on it.Jack was enjoying himself ,it was payback time for all the insults and racial slurs,,he grinned and exchanged remarks with a rabid Corbett .Taking it out on the hulk of the man in front of him ,the greatest fighting machine the world had seen up till that time,after the first round Johnson knew he was in command he was not only cleverer but stronger inside.Johnson could probably have dispatched Jeffries around the 11th if he had tried ,his courageous opponent was done ,but like a cat with a mouse Jack mauled his prey.I give little credit toJohnson for this affair Jeffries was the original" Burnt Out Case".Johnson displayed a streak of sadism,only partially redeemed by his bravery shown in his indifference ,and disdain to the thousands of white faces screaming for Jefries to smash his face into the dust.The only light at the end of the tunnel in this affair was Jeffries stupendous courage and stoicisim accepting the cruel puches that he could not avoid.Jeffries had lost his power,stamina,strength,but he had not lost his fortitude and guts. After 10 rds Rickard would have raised Johnson's arm
I am undecided as to which way the fight would be scored. I actually get the feeling that a true verdict would have been rendered, even in the racist times. Saying that though, it would not have been scored on a round by round basis, if i understand the scoring of the time, and i am fairly sure that the judges would have been influenced by the Jeffries legacy, thus i think they would have considered it close. Possibly close enough to call a draw, especially in those times. From what i understand, while Johnson was starting to open up after the 10 and land regularly, Jeffries was still continuously coming forward and both fighters, even Jeffries being in reasonable condition (arguably Jeffries was better than he was against Fitzsimmons and/or Corbett) at the end of the fight. Also, Jeffries from what i understand pushed the fight a little more in the early going, just like Marvin Hart did against Johnson. Either way, i am sure that Jeffries fans (myself included?) would scream than no human could knock out Jeffries and he would have eventually worn down Johnson, just like willard did. In these circumstances, i think that Jeffries would have a legitimate claim as the Greatest of All time, and would be viewed on the same pedestal as Ali and Louis by most people, even today. Johnson's legacy, i think would remain the same roughly, although it would take away his Tyson/spinks like performance which may drop him down in some quarters.
Johnson would have won a decision, either that, or he would have gone for the KO. I personally felt, seeing that fight, that he could have KO'd Jeffries at any time, but he wanted to embarrass "The Great White Hope", which he did unmercifully.
I agree with you & Mendoza that it would have been a ND or newspaper decision for Johnson as the fight would have probably gone the distance. Johnson spent many early rounds 'feeling his opponent out' & I am not as confident that he could have knocked out Jefferies at any time he felt. Although I am sure Johnson believed that & probably was shocked when he couldn't do it against Willard 5 years later & got his Tallywacker knocked off.(Johnson never should have agreed on a 45 Round fight ,or anything over 20, with anyone ,at age 37, which cost him his title) I'm in disagreement with the assessment that Johnson was punishing or humiliating Jefferies. I believe he was simply 'trash talking' & trying to get inside his opponents head as athletes today do in the NBA,NFL,Boxing,etc.... As a great defensive fighter of his day Johnson liked his opponents to attack him & then he countered. Trash talk sometimes got the desired effect.
If Johnson/Jeffries was a ten round no decision, most of the papers would of spun Jim as an easy winner, IMO.
Johnson talked to Jeffries all through the fight ,I don't think he could have kod Jeffries when he liked ,but around the 10th he probably could have ,had he gone for it.Punishing Jeffries was Johnson's way of answering his racist critics,Johnson may have disliked Jeffries ,but he didn't hate him and spoke well of his abilities late in life ,the thrashing he administered was directed at the White supremacists ,spitting their hate at ringside,Jeffries was just the unlucky recipient.
Point well taken. He was also was generous to Burns after their fight & called him ..."a game ,straight fighter " despite the vicious verbal assault by Burns. With time Burns & Jefferies seemed to be more generous likewise afterwards. Athletes ,especialy boxers really seem to admire the courage /determination it takes to step inside that ring & perform at a high level . (Even circa 1910) I guess it isn't out of the question that Jackson wanted to prove a point to the vicious & openly racists Journalists/Papers/Fans. Nothing personal with the fighter before him for the MOST part as the trash talking on Johnson's part seemed relatively tame almost good natured in comparison.
I think Johnson would've played with Jeffries for the first 6-7 rounds then turned up the heat and ko'ed him. Johnson wasn't going to let this fight be decided by the refs no matter what so whether it was scheduled for 25 rounds or 5 Jack was going to ko Jeffries.
