Does anyone know for sure what Jackson's classic reach was? Corbett was 73". Judging by this article, it is plausible to assume that Jackson classic finger tip to finger tip reach was around 79". One thing to be aware of is in those days, fighters often reported a lower weight then their actual weight. Click on the below link and scroll down a bit to see the measurements. Also note the offical weight of the two going into the fight is higher than their reoported weight the two gave to the press. I have a full round by round review of the fight, which I hope to post a bit later. [url]http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9A05E7DF1630E033A25753C1A9659C94659ED7CF[/url]
Most of the round-by-round accounts don't bother much with the second half, where apparently not much of anything happened! [url]http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84025968/1891-05-22/ed-1/seq-1/[/url]
Corbett stated the only thing of any significance that happened between the 50th and 60th rounds, was that their arms momentarily got entangled. People overplay this fight because of the time it took , but in reality ,as has been said ,nothing much happened in most of the second half. Several rounds saw no punches landed or even thrown.
I agree it was definitely a slow fight but its impact on 'modern' boxing shouldnt be downplayed. The scientific side of boxing was beginning to become a part of the fight game and this fight was one of the earlier incarnations of this aspect of fighting. Might have been boring according to many accounts but it certainly has its place in boxing history.
It is significant, but as you say it was boring in parts ,the reports say sleepy spectators hooted and jeered the two men.After being warned by the referee to produce some and their failing to respond he declared it a no contest.
The rounds that saw some action usually only consisted of two or three light blows being landed.THis fight is considered one of the classics of boxing's early days , today it would be jeered at.Times change.
i read all that, thanks. off topic.....very off topic .....theres an advert for the mutual life insurance company of new york....and they list a telephone number....in 1891 ??...am i reading that right ?....i thought it would have been a bit later than that for companies to advertise phone numbers...although i know the thing had been invented years earlier.
All three of the champions of his time. Sullivan, Corbett,and Fitz went on record saying they would not defend against him.
