How do you think Cribb would have fared against Belcher if Belcher had been at his best ? Cribb was no mug of course but from what I've read, I'd suspect Belcher would have had the better of it. Is this the most reasonable assumption ?
Cribb was probably a bit pre-prime, but Belcher was in poor condition with one eye and really hammering him. Cribb was probably one of the toughest bareknuckle champions, so I imagine it'd be Ryan Vs West style prolonged battering, eventually stopping him.
Prime Belcher, before he lost his eye, was tremendous from all accounts. Yes, Cribb was tough as anyone and sounds like quite a smart boxer with his style of boxing on the retreat, and of course it's impossible to say for sure.
One eyed Jem Belcher beat the **** out Tom Cribb before he broke his hand. Jem Belcher with depth perception might be the bareknuckle GOAT.