Tom Sharkey v Tommy Burns

I agree Sharkey has the better wins. The Goddard win means not a lot as Joe was goosed at that stage. And Ruhlin did win the series. Tom had Corbett's number and I cant see Burns beating Gentleman Jim. But I feel Burns was shifty, skilled and tough enough to survive Sharkey's onslaught and take a points win. However I 'm not dogmatic about it.

 

Burns liked to attack. He was not in there to run. Advantage Sharkey.

 

Aw, Burns was more versatile than that, he could move, wait, set traps, jab and packed a punch. Could infight too. That's what Tommy brought, nothing particularly special but shrewdness and the tools to pick the right fight plan. He never fought anyone quite like Sharkey, Flynn been the nearest and he handled him with ease.

 

I concur. Burns couldn't get out of the way and Sharkey wouldn't want to. At no time was Burns more clever or elusive than Corbett or McCoy. He has nothing Tom hasn't seen before in a more formidable package. But Burns has never felt the type of power Sharkey possesses coupled with the strength and furious assault of the sailor.

I see a Sharkey stoppage within 7.

 

There's a reason for that. Look at his opposition. Put him in twice with Jeffries, Fitzsimmons, Choynski, etc. and you will see plenty more stoppage defeats on his ledger. Put Sharkey in with Burns' opposition and you probably wouldn't see any stoppages on Sharkey's ledger.

VERY debatable. Sharkey was known for the speed of his rushes. He was no slow poke.

As were most of the fighters Sharkey beat. He has nothing to surprise Sharkey with.

Fair enough, as long as you realize that the historical record doesn't support your opinion. Years and years worth of articles from various sources all over the US are filled with firsthand accounts of the durability of Sharkey. The sportswriters- even the many who despised him- were still in awe of his strength and ability to take it.

 

And McCoy was a good puncher. Rated in the top 100 by ring magazine.

So Sharkey was down. Langford was also down quite a few times.

Mike Schreck had Burns down and almost out.

 

Another good thread, after reading it I'm on Burns side. He was very good counter puncher with quick footwork and he could fight inside. He was very tough too. Burns by decision or late stoppage, he seemed to fare well against agressive fighters.

 

I think Sharkey would win.

I don't think Hart was half as good as Sharkey, and I don't think Burns was nearly as skilled as McCoy.

 

Burns was more durable and bigger than McCoy though. I like what I've seen from Burns in fights we have.

 

Here's McCoy and Sharkey's comments after their fight.

The Standard Union - 11 Jan 1899 (page 7)
After the fight Sharkey made this statement:
"It was a great fight. This fellow McCoy is all right and there is no doubt about it. He can make any one hustle in his class. I give more credit to him now than I would have done had we not met. He is certainly hame, and took his medicine in first-class chape. The blow which knocked me down was a corker. It was the hardest blow that I have ever received in a contest, and I have met them all. It dazedme and I thought that a cannon had struck me. Of course I got to myself in a jiffy and went after him. I should not have got up as quickly as I did. In doing so I received that knocked in the eye which may spoil my beauty for a couple of days.
"Those punches in the wind did the trick. I knew I could not get home my swings, for he was too shifty, and the only way to win was to play for the body, and you know the result. The reason why I was sort of puzzled in the early part of the contest, was because I was holding back. Of course this had the desired effect, and those who thought it was all over were fooled. McCoy is cleverer than Corbett and is a good straight puncher. I they ever meet I shall pick the Kid to win.
"When McCoy hinted at a foul in the eight round he was mistaken, as the referee knew. There was no foul, as I did not hit him below the belt. I tried to fight cleanly all through, and if I did do a little roughing it was unintentional on my part. I want to fight Fitzsimmons now, and I think I have a right to another battle with him. I am going to take a rest, as I have done quite a lot of training of late, but in due time I will take on anybody, especially Jeffries, if he would like to have another chance. My manager will offer a purse here for a fight between us."
McCoyu was broken-hearted when he reached his dresseing room. In fact, he was ready to cry. He said that he was disappointed more than he could explain, because he felt confident of winning from the start.
"Sharkey was too strong for me, and the punches he gave me in the stomach weakened me so that when he landed that final smash on the jaw I had no strength to withstand it." The blow landed in the eighth round which sent me down was not a foul. It was a painful stomach punch which hurt me seriously and handicapped me to the end of the fight. I made a mistake in not following Sharkey up better in the third round when I had him going
"I am willing to fight Ryan or Corbett and hope that the public will not consider me disgraced. I did the best I could, but was fairly beaten. I lost over $3,000 on myself."

 

True, but I don't think he even hit as hard. Who is the best fighter Burns actually stopped?

Sharkey seems to have had pretty quick feet, and I think he would be able to keep pressing and attacking Burns. I think Sharkey would wear him down with body punching and wrestling