Good match-up, though I'd rather see it Queensbury. Jeanette was a tough cob. I have read posters describing him as a spurts fighter, maybe Corbett could handle that? In 'x' number of scheduled rounds I favor Corbett. In a finish fight, though, it's hard to say -- Jim was so darned cautious, he'd have to have Jeanette near helpless before closing the show, maybe? Might depend on whether Jeanette presses for a finish.
Wasnt the Sullivan fight Basicly a foght to the Finish with Gloves? i cant remember all the details around that fight Id take Corbett to win this one
The fact that this fight is with bare knuckles shifts the ballance of probability Corbetts way because he fought under that rule set. Jeanette was not thought to be in Corbetts class in his own day but if he had been white and born a bit earlier he might have been. Jeanette would be a nightmare oponent for any technician. He was the one guy Jack Johnson was genuinely afraid of. Jeanette might just have been the better of the two all round. Anything could happen.
Saying Johnson was afraid of Jeanette is overstating the case I think, they fought for Johnson's Colored Title 6 times ,Jeanette managed to win one on a dsq,the difference between their ability may have been slight but it was in Johnson's favour ,imo.
Johnson as champion looks at it this way: Which of the black dynamite trio presents the greatest threat? McVea? Prety easy fight. Langford? Finishers chance. Jeanette? It comes down to who outboxes who and while I think I am better in this regard I dont know what will happen.
Five times out of six he knew what would happen . I think the difference was slight as I said .In Johnson's life story by Denzil Batchelor,Johnson stated that Mcvey was his toughest opponent,Batchelor didnt beleive him,but did admit that Johnson never changed his mind on this even long after he had retired,maybe he did not want Jeanette to share in his spot light. Jeanette married a white woman ,but because of his exemplary conduct and sportsman ship he never aroused the fury that Jack did. I think Langford as he matured may possibly have been Johnson's black nemesis,but as they hated one another it is doubtful Johnson would give him any kudos .It seems Jeanette and Langford were cut from a different cloth than the strutting Johnson,Sam had no education and could barely read,Johnson paraded his learning, a little like Don King.Mcvey was a relatively easy fight for Johnson ,but he was no easy night for Jeanette.
