Only the most delusional fanatics would bring that up as a top win, but alas I've heard it cited as such
Jack Dempsey VS Gene Tunney Often hear this cited in discussions on how either fighter would have done in theorized bouts, especially used in Discussions on how Dempsey did against fighters of that style and how therefore he would lose against any other. Of course, the aging Dempsey hadn't had a single fight in over three years rather living the cushy life in Hollywood, while Tunney was at his best, winning 18 fights during Dempsey's informal retirement. The fight footage shows a drastic reduction in Dempsey's footspeed, usually eradic defensive movement, and reflexes.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. Is the poster child for this topic at Jr. Welter and above. Shane Mosely? 39 yrs old, should've retired years prior. At the end of his career. Oscar Deloyhoya? Off of years of inactivity, and Cocaine binges, best years were at least ten years prior at the end of his career. Zab Judah? At the end of his career. Juan Marquez? A natural featherweight, fighting at a weight he was least effective, at the end of his career. Miguel Cotto? At the end of his career. Manny Pacquiao? When he fought May Jr , was at what should've been the end of his career, May waited until he was damaged goods, but came up with excuses when the fight was initially proposed 5yrs earlier. Hatton? Wasn't that great at his best, but also at the end of his career. Theirs a pattern there. Mayweather Jr had gotten so big, and new boxing fans knowledge of the game had gotten so shallow that they didn't and don't recognize what May Jr was actually doing. He was selling them smoke and mirrors....... Against opponents that may have looked, or at one time may have been a serious threat, But in actuality, wasn't a real threat at all. My proof is the fighters that he could've fought but didn't. Mayweather Jr. Is the biggest snake oil salesman in the history of boxing. The epitome of looks good on paper......
Jackson was an alcoholic, dissipated, and probably in the early throws of TB, he had no meaningful contest for SIX years and Jeff was on the up. The Sharkey win over Fitz was an out-an-out robbery, Tom was ko'ed, plain and simple but Wyatt Earp, the referee was in on a betting coup. Hank Griffin was a good fighter, at the prak of his powers while Johnson was just starting in big school, still learning and undernorished. BTW jackson himself gets kudos for beating Peter Maher in 1889, Jackson was then probably the best fighter in the world, Maher had one professional fight and retired wisely after two rounds of a scheduled four.