Apropos of the Jeffries /Tunney thread ,and the comparisons between Corbett and Tunney that have been offered , does anyone think that the result would have been different, if the fight had hapened when Corbett was. 1.An active fighter,not coming back from 2 years retirement.? 2.In his prime ? 3.Over the 15rds distance?
The version that drew with the black prince would take Jeffries to secondary education IMO. I think a prime Fitz would have whipped him as well.
Corbett is a huge favourite over 15. However, Jeffries was not a 15 round fighter. Interestingly, nor was Corbett. 25 rounds is the likely distance. Different fight.
I like Jeffries to beat Sullivan, Jackson Fitzsimmons, Corbett or Johnson over 40 rounds. 25 is a fascinating tipping point for Sullivan, Corbett or Johnson (Sorry Swarmer, I think Jeffries gets Fitz over 25 4/5). I take Jeffries from the Munro fight to beat Corbett from the Sullivan fight over 25. My perception of Jim's improved footwork is the main reason. I also think he can eat what Corbett has to give him all day long. I don't see a hell of a lot in it though. I wouldn't be surprised to be proved wrong. I know Corbett wouldn't be feeling so hot if managed to take a decision though!
No, I agree with you that over the 15rd distance Jeffries' chances of victory increase a lot. I'd probably favor him over pretty much any heavyweight over 20 rounds.
It's interesting that Jeffries only went 25rds once,when he was taken the distance by a face first brawler in Tom Sharkey,whereas Corbett went 61 rds with Peter Jackson . I think that a longer distance fight might hinge on not the duration ,but the referee's attitude to the facial damage Jeffries would ship.
15 rounds on that night in 1900, I think both 1891-1893 and 1900 Corbett stands a fair chance of defeating Jeffries. Against the 1903-1904 Jeffries, I like Jeffries against any version of Corbett, even in 15 rounds. However, I wouldn't put Corbett as a decided underdog. I think, even in 15, Jeffries stops Jackson, Sharkey and Fitzsimmons. I don't think Sharkey ever faced the best of late 1890's Jeffries, much less the 1903-1904 version. 1903-1904 Jeffries would also, I think, stop Sullivan as Jawn he had been at his best; as to a 1900 match up, I'm not sure, I think it might come down to how bum Jeffries left still was that night, and that's not something I know with the requisite precision. Sullivan, coming along in Jeffries time, developing in analogy to how he (Sullivan) had developed in his own time, and meeting Jeffries in 15 on that night in 1900 -- I might have to go with JL in that one; a 1903-1904 match up (again, on an analogical basis) is hard to call.
