Sailor Tom Sharkey vs Lennox Lewis

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Feb 6, 2018.


  1. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

    16,237
    11,706
    Sep 21, 2017
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/Article-TomSharkey.htm

    Sharkey once said, "The bigger they were, the better I liked it. I knew I could cut them down to my size" (see UP Release, April 17, 1953). In the article, "I Fought the Best of Them" (1939 pp 29 30), he wrote, "I made them all back away from me. I had to carry the fight to them, including Jeffries."

    He liked to fight big men and Lewis would be the biggest and most skilled of them all.
     
  2. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

    71,579
    27,226
    Feb 15, 2006
    This would be a step too far for him.
     
  3. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

    16,237
    11,706
    Sep 21, 2017
    That's a firm statement
     
  4. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

    71,579
    27,226
    Feb 15, 2006
    Given Sharkey's style and dimensions, it would take a truly exceptional fighter to prevail.

    They would probably have to be an all time finisher, and nuanced in their approach.

    Sharkey was never quite enough for the best of his own era.
     
  5. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

    25,429
    9,413
    Jul 15, 2008
    It would make this look competitive ... in the street another thing all together ..

    This content is protected
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta likes this.
  6. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

    16,237
    11,706
    Sep 21, 2017
    And that wasn't competitive at all
     
  7. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

    61,560
    46,152
    Feb 11, 2005
    Sharkey has a real chance here.
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta likes this.
  8. richdanahuff

    richdanahuff Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,489
    13,037
    Oct 12, 2013
    Well if the Fitz could beat him up I think that Lewis would fairly easy knock him out
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta likes this.
  9. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

    97,727
    29,077
    Jun 2, 2006
    His book should have been entitled ," I Fought The Best Of Them As Long As They Were White"!
    Lewis would beat the living **** out of the crude and predictable 185lbs 5'8" Sharkey.
    Fitzsimmons one punch ko'd Sharkey twice. Lennox might decapitate him!
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2018
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta likes this.
  10. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

    97,727
    29,077
    Jun 2, 2006
    Of coming out alive?
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta likes this.
  11. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

    71,579
    27,226
    Feb 15, 2006
    In fairness, I don't think that there were any particularly outstanding black contenders, until Sharkey was well on the slide.

    Even somebody like Martin wouldn't have been very well aligned in the timeline.
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2018
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta likes this.
  12. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,050
    4,867
    Jun 24, 2017
    A punch is still a punch on the street.
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta and Seamus like this.
  13. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

    97,727
    29,077
    Jun 2, 2006
    Sharkey could have fought.
    George Byers
    Klondike
    Joe Butler
    Bob Armstrong
    Frank Childs
    Denver Ed Martin
    Morris Harris
    Black Bill
    Hank Griffin
    All were active during his 11 year career.
     
  14. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

    55,255
    10,354
    Jun 29, 2007
    What are the rules, rounds, and glove size?

    On Lewis, sometimes his ego was as big of his problem as his chin was. Any power puncher as Sharkey was could ice Lewis with one punch early like McCall or Rahman did, who at my best guess Lewis underestimated.

    Sharkey was rough, sturdy, and dirty with an excellent chin in his prime which pretty much ended after his title match with Jeffries. He did not have problems catching faster defensive fighter, such as McCoy, Choynski, or Corbett. Three men with fast feet. So he could land on Lewis, but he'd likely catch something on the way in, which was his style away. Sort of like a less refined two fisted Joe Frazier, Sharkey must have been pretty quick, with the ability to close the gap / cut off the ring.

    You'd have to favor Lewis, but as his career shows us if he underestimates a puncher...there can be more than one lottery winner.

    Best guess, Lewis via mid to late round TKO.
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta likes this.
  15. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

    97,727
    29,077
    Jun 2, 2006
    1.Who is the best man Sharkey ko'd?
    2.What did he weigh?