The most under rated thing about old time heavyweight champions is....

greatness is relative to one's era, with that era's strength being judged relative to the eras that closely preceded and followed it.

 

I am no expert in high jump. But isnt the flop totally different to the technique that Jeffries used?

Jim Thorpe sounds like a hell of a naturally gifted athlete. Might be a bit tough to compare Jeffries to (arguably) one of the greatest natural athletes ever.

In fairness though, i also have my doubts about the exaggeration of Jeffries athletics ability. I am sure that there is a report somewhere that has him losing a beach sprint race to Jim Corbett. IF so, is it not possible that Jim Corbett might be an underated athlete!