2 fights that never were, but perhaps should have been. John L. Sullivan against George Godfrey. John L. Sullivan against Peter Jackson. Let's put them all at their best, with gloves, Queensberry rules, 12 rounds, and give John sufficient rest and training between the two fights. What do you think? Could Sully have handled those two?
I think he stops Godfrey he was 20lbs heavier, and Godfrey, though a good puncher was not quite as durable or powerful as Sullivan ,Jackson? I think I will see what arguments are made first.
It appears that Sullivan and Jackson's primes really did not overlap ... by the late 1880's Sullivan was an inactive drunk. His body had been badly abused. We all know about Kilran in 89 but he was not Peter Jackson .. The rules have a terrific impact on such a match up but I feel from 86 on Jackson defeats Sullivan ... in his physical prime it's really a gues since there is zero footage but I would not rule against Sullivan who was stronger and a much heavier hitter ...
I'd probably pick John L. Sullivan to beat Godfrey but I'm really not sure about Jackson. As RockyJim said, it seems that Jackson had good movement and could be able to stay away from Sulivan whilst using his jab keep him at bay. Under these rules I think that Jackson could beat Sulivan.
Jackson was troubled by tough brawler types and also caved in v's the big punching Farnan. Goddard and even lesser lights like Lambert, Fallon and Lynch(from memory) who fought rough gave Peter, for all his undoubted talents, a fair bit of trouble. Then again he did better Slavin who was described as a John L clone but on balance Sully never had any trouble with gloves until he met Corbett.
I think that he would have handled Godfrey verry convincingly. Jackson is harder to predict. I don't think that their primes overlaped for practical purpouses. Both were absolute giants of their era, and both were heralded as the GOAT by their peers. With no film who knows?
I guess that we can say the following. Godfrey would have been a prohibitive underdog against Sullivan at the time for good reasons. Jackson would also have been an underdog at the time, but for many not so good reasons.
I agree with this. Sullivan would crush Godfrey. Jackson vs Sullvian is hard to call. Jackson did fight Joe Goddard, who was a very good fighter and comparable to Sullvian in some ways. Goddard and Jackson had a hard fought draw with both guys going down.
I agree that Sullivan would have definitely defeated Godfrey. As for Jackson, I would also pick Sullivan to win...but not as definitely.
