Pick A Linear Heavyweight Champ To Beat Jeffries Under That Era's Rule Set

Tunney
1. I assume a twenty to twenty-five round fight.
2. Tunney had the speed to move and the skill to outbox
Jeffries.
3. Off the reports of Jeff's fights, he was open for left jabs
and Tunney had a good one.
4. Tunney has the jab to slice up Jeff, the speed and skill
to keep him off balance, and the stamina to go the final
rounds at full speed.

 

Agreed. Gene was also tougher than his idol Corbett, who proved Jeff was far from invincible at his peak.

 

Marciano and Jack Johnson has a good chance.

Louis perhaps.
Ali has a good shot also. If they dont gas out in round 30 that is lol.

 

exhaust the mighty Jeff who was known to go 45 rounds??

 

I agree that Liston's an astute selection, but for a different reason. Jeff wasn't a true infighter, but somebody who preferred to shove his opponents out into a comfortable punching range, like Foreman did. Unfortunately for Jeff, this would play directly into Liston's battering ram left, and straight punching. The Boilermaker would be forced to work much harder than Sonny as a result, simply to contend with Liston's fists. Most of the legwork needed to be done as a result would have to be performed by Jeff.

 

:good

 

Jack Johnson would be the obvious choice.

 

This is a very interesting question. I see the following as good choices:
1. Tunney - Certainly has the ability, and a better chin than corbett, but the longer rounds may work against him. Tunney was supremely confident he could beat Jeffries and Corbett certainly showed it is possible, but anyone picking Tunney would need to remember that his chin would need to be largely untested. Also, under Jeffries rules, there was a lot more clinching allowed and Tunney may struggle with this (remember how he supposedly struggled with corbetts tricks when sparring the old man). Given his lighter body weight, you couldnt pick tunney with too much confidence.

Ali - As probably the greatest fighter ever, he is a sound pick. Particularly given his chin, and the fact that he is like Corbett in every other way. The question is whether he would handle the rules. I think he is best equipped, but saying that if i were picking someone to beat prime Ali, it could easily be Jeffries, as he is almost like a George Foreman with an Unbelievable stamina. This fight could go either way and we dont know how Ali reacts to smaller gloves and most importantly the wrestling.

Johnson - I dont think Johnson has the chin to worry a prime Jeffries, but, he did beat an old one and most importantly, he controlled the clinches in that one. The question is whether he would have the strength advantage against Prime Jeffries. If he did he would be a chance.

Holmes - Quite possibly, he would be the best pick. His jab hits the mark hard and often, so he shouldnt have problems with his hands. He has the strength and a bit of a wrestling back ground, so he could match or possibly even beat Jeffries in the clinches. He also has a proven chin. He has similar style to Corbett who gave jeffries a lot of trouble and is every chance at doing the same, though like the others, he would be forced to go into territory he hasnt been before.

Foreman - This one goes against the grain, but it is the way i would probably go. The only real way to beat prime foreman was to have a super chin and to dance and not be hit. Prime Jeffries was faster than many realise, but he was definitely hittable. Foreman would land and land big. And when foreman lands flush, he usually caused damage, with those little gloves, it is frightening to imagine the damage he might do. I know the common line of thinking is that Foreman runs out of gas, but realistically this is going to be a trade off and a war and foremans chin is first class. Foreman is big enough and strong enough that Jeffries might struggle to wrestle him and in trying to wrestle, Foreman is likely to land some big haymakers. I actually think that if my life depended on it, i would probably go for Foreman as the man to do the job.

 

I like Jeffries chances of ploding for 45 rounds a lot better than Ali's chances of dancing for 45 rounds. Ali's style simply dose not translate well into a 45 round fight.

If Ali makes Jeffries work like he has never worked before then he will simply tire out first.

 

Tunney
Ali
Holmes
JOhnson
Louis
Lewis
Liston
Maybe Charles.

 

George Foreman

 

An old post, but I'll respond Jeffries never went over 25 rounds and that only once.

 

The first Corbett fight was not anywhere close to Jeffries peak.