Most BIZARRE, unathletic, uncoordinated top hvwt contender?

Charles was described by newspaper accounts as being "a shadow of his former self", 16 years into his career. Layne, described as being flabby and out of shape, had lost 4 out of last 5 the first time they met and was worse off the second time, so I seriously doubt he was still in the top-10. The Baker wins are the most quality on his resume and that does little to move me to any conclusion but that Baker was overrated and fought in a weak era.

 

Hey, I applaud any guy who puts on the gloves, let alone makes it into the top-10 of a division. That's quite an accomplishment.

However, I think Jackson is being WAY oversold here. Contemporary accounts of the guy agree he could not box a lick. He was done by 26, so damaged the NYSBC wanted his license pulled. Yet, because he was born in the 30's I am told to be believe he possessed some magical abilities denied fighters born in the 60's and beyond.

 

"Jackson is being WAY oversold here."

I generally agree with this. I think Charles, Layne, and Henry were going back pretty significantly by the time Jackson got to them. Bucceroni and Baker were on the cusps of severe declines. At his peak, Jackson was stopped by Valdes and lost two of three to Slade. I think Jackson was probably somewhat less impressive than a list of his victims would imply.

 

"unique skill set"

Besides stamina, he was so unorthodox that he confused most of his opponents. It is interesting that Charles and Layne, and especially Patterson, seemed to do better the second time around. Layne was ahead in the second fight before being stopped on a cut. Many thought Charles won the second fight. Patterson had an injured hand in the first fight, but destroyed Jackson in the second one.

I think all these men began to figure Jackson out.

 

When I think of bizarre, unathletic and uncoordinated top heavyweight contenders aside from Jackson, I visualize Snipes swatting away with his hands, squinting and blinking his eyes as if he's trying to ward off a swarm of mosquitoes, southpaw Bodell stumbling forward in a clockwise direction, or Wepner, perpetually foundering about as if he'd hydrated himself with the product he was selling.

 

How far 'past it', John, was Robinson when he fought Terry Downes in 1962?

 

Mike Bounty Hunter still is the first name that comes to mind in this discussion.

 

I knew several former boxers that trained at Stillman's and they all agreed on one thing, Tommy (Hurricane) Jackson was crazy. These stories from JG have insured me that the stories I heard were all true.