Rnd 2 decade tourney 1890s v Teens

the final Two Teams left, both drew a bye 1st round.

Heavy: Jim Corbett/Peter Jackson v Jack Johnson
light heavy: Bob Fitzsimmons v Jack Dillon
Middle: Tommy Ryan v George Chip or several others
Welter: Jack Dempsey v Jack Britton
Light: Jack McCauliffe v Benny Leonard
Featherweight: George Dixon/Young Griffo v Johnny Kilbane
Bantam: Jimmy Barry v Pete Herman

Some pretty good matchups there. The 1890s are pretty underated. If you wanted to replace Fitzsimmons with Choynski or someone else, and drop him and Ryan down a peg, they would have (unless i am mistaken) 5 fighters who retired unbeaten at their weight. But i do think that lack of knowledge/film may hurt both these eras.

Dont forget that you dont have to vote for every single match. And if you want, you can make the call based on legacy as opposed to head to head.

 

Good picks, but just quickly, what do you think of barry as opposed to Herman (obviously needs a legacy call at least i think it does). Barry retired as undefeated world champion. Not really much more he could do though, you dont think that alone edges out Herman?

 

This one looks like it might struggle for posts. Maybe if we take it fight at a time.

The first is at heavyweight. Johnson is hard to beat and a certainty for the teens (despite the existence and form of Langford and co). For me i pick Jackson ahead of Corbett. Both were greats, but I get the impression that langford matched corbett in every area, but had a little bit better recuperative powers, chin and even power. Plus, psychologically he would pose a huge advantage against Johnson.

Jackson is one of the strange ones, he is so well regarded by his peers that it isnt funny, in fact his record does not really bear jump out at you to match his reviews (much like Dempsey). I think though that everyone who saw or fought him cant be wrong. And most interestingly, that includes Johnson who idolised the man. In fact, he famously detoured through Brisbane to pay his respects to Jacksons grave on the way through Brisbane.

I think Jackson has it over Johnson psychologically, and i think that Jackson might lack that killer instinct, and go into his shell a little early, allowing Jackson to pile up points. And Johnson, would lack the finishing ability to KO Jackson, and would end up losing a decision because of the loss of the early rounds. I say Jackson, in what would today be an upset, but not necessarilly by those who saw both.

 

I know what you mean. It is definitely the hardest, 1890s in particular have some great champions, but little is known about them and they are not discussed that much.

Hopefully we will get a few people to comment on one or two of the match ups or legacy comparisons. Eachvote should be extra important in this particular matchup.

Of the others i havent predicted yet, i say:

Light Heavy - Fitzsimmons v Dillon. Both Giant killers, but Fitzsimmons was the master. In other matches i would be tempted to drop fitz down to middleweight, where he was near unbeatable and use Choynski as the light heavyweight, but i have kept him here, and i think he KOs Dillon head to head, and has a far better legacy.


Middleweight - Tommy Ryan v George Chip - Chip (and others) are not without their chances, but the fact is during their decade no one really rose to the top. Tommy Ryan did, he was never beaten at Middle and I think that he wins on legacy and head to head against anyone the teens can match him with.

Welterweight - Jack Dempsey v Jack Britton - Britton was a good fighter, but his legacy isnt up to that of Jack Dempsey. Dempsey was eventually beaten by Fitzsimmons, but Fitz hit an awful lot harder than a welterweight Jack Britton. Jack Dempsey gets the call here.

Lightweight - Jack McAulliffe v Benny Leonard - This is a really tough call. Jack never lost a fight ever, though he did have the close call against the legendary carney. Leonard was something special. I give it to Benny Leonard on pier reviews but only just.

Featherweight - George Dixon v Johnny Kilbane - George Dixon has the better record and legacy, imo.

Bantamweight - Jimmy Barry v Peter Herman - Very tough call. Pete Herman was good in the teens at this weight, but balance this with Jimmy Barry being equally as good as Pete and having always risen to the occassion. I make the legacy call and give it to the undefeated Jimmy Barry. Very close though.

 

Current Score
Heavy: Jim Corbett/Peter Jackson v Jack Johnson – 1-1
light heavy: Bob Fitzsimmons v Jack Dillon – 2-0
Middle: Tommy Ryan v George Chip or several others – 2-0
Welter: Jack Dempsey v Jack Britton 1-1
Light: Jack McCauliffe v Benny Leonard 0-2
Featherweight: George Dixon/Young Griffo v Johnny Kilbane 1-1
Bantam: Jimmy Barry v Pete Herman 1-1

1890s 2 Teens 1 Draw – 5

Lack of votes, for obvious reasons means every vote is important in this one. Anyone wanting to vote should get in as quick as possible as I will probably call time later today.
Remember Legacy calls are allowed and encouraged and you don’t have to vote on every single fight, if you don’t know some of the fighters.

 

Time called, with the 1890s getting through to the semi finals in the lowest scoring match yet. This leaves the semi finals to be contested as follows:

70s, 80s, 1890s, 30s/90s which will be called in the next day or so, once the decision from the Max Schmelling v Evander Holyfield tie breaker is decided. If anyone wants to nominate brackets they can, or otherwise i will just pick to decades.