Who was better - Peter Jackson or James Corbett?

No, you are. Godfrey was there to fight in the 1880's and so was Jackson. My listing of the weights of the fights was spot on.As for how good his opponents were keep hiding behind lack of film, and take note History does view them fondly. Does the name Frank Salvin ring any bells? He was a good heavyweight of the times and Sullvian would not fight him either.

 

You don't seem to be able to get your head round this for some reason.

The only way that he could realistically have fought Jackson, was if he had come out of retirement to do so.

In that case the only thing that changes, is that perhaps Jackson retires his empty shell instead of Corbett.

Not a huge game changer really.

There is abundant evidence that he did not side step Godfrey.

You could argue that whatever the reason, the fight didn't happen.

I could argue that he beat the man who defeated Godfrey, and two others who drew against him.

He wasn't picking on middleweights.

He was fighting middleweights, because they were the most qualified challengers, and the men that the press saw as having the best chance against him.

Crucial difference.

Now if you are looking for a champion, whose best challengers were big men, then Sullivan is not it.

However if you have a pragmatic attitude to small heavyweights, provided that they prove themselves against the bigger men of their day, then there is no reason to dismiss his opposition.

Like in every era, there were big men around, and Sullivan beat some of them, but they were not the best or brightest around.

 

@red corner if there are any issues we have discussed, that you want more detailed clarification about, then I will be happy to provide it.

 

I had tried this, even over a decade ago, but it didn't work and I can not use the same e-mail-adress again. It is very complex and a lot of Boxrec got worse since 2010, it was almost every year decreasing.

If it is simple, then you can search for this in your own, in reading the report of the fight there.

 

Slavin wasn't from Sullivan era and it was explained for you multiple times. I'm not going to repeat the same things again.

 

It's very simple, I did it a few years ago and my account still works. I don't see anything you described.

 

Sullivan and Slavin's eras did overlap ,but your point is valid.

 

No proof as usual. How many times must it be explained to you that, if you make a statement the onus is on you to PROVE IT! Not those disagreeing to DISPROVE IT!

 

The fight wasn't even remotely on the table, until after Sullivan had retired.

Slavin didn't even get to North America until 1891.

 

Yes they did overlap and Richard k fox wanted a match between them prior to Corbett. No need to tell 70’s. It was big news.

 

Slavin wasn't relevant even in Australia until 1887. Sullivan was past his absolute best already then.

Slavin didn't come into America until 1991. Sullivan was retired at that point, we have no reason to expect Sullivan to come out of retirement to fight Slavin.

 

We need to look at some basic dates here (updates ongoing):

21/04/1888 Jackson leaves Australia for the USA.

24/04/1888 Sullivan returns to the USA, following his European tour.

15/05/1888 Sullivan offers to fight Godfrey, and Godfrey refuses.

22/08/1888 Sullivan is shot in the thumb, by a salon owner, trying to perform a trick shot.

24/08/1888 Jackson fights Godfrey.

17/09/1888 Sullivan contracts Typhoid Fever (It migth have been in August, but this is the earliest date when we can prove it).

20/09/1888 Sullivan becomes dangerously ill, and priests attend, in case he doesn't survive the night.

26/09/1888 Sullivan's doctor announces that his condition is improving.

15/10/1888 Sullivan ceases to be bedridden (according to his own testimony).

07/12/1888 Sullivan challenges Kilrain and Mitchell.

21/12/1888 Sullivan and Kilrain accepts the challenge.

07/01/1889 Sullivan and Kilrain sign contracts.

06/05/1889 Sullivan starts training for the Kilrain fight, weighing 230lbs.

08/07/1889 Sullivan fights Kilrain, then announces his retirement at ringside.

24/04/1891 Slavin arrives in the USA.

22/06/1891 Slavin fights an exhibition against former Sullivan victim Charley Mitchell, and gets his ass handed to him.

 

He was relevant on 1887. They could have fought in multiple nations and the fight was offered and talked about by Richard K Fox before Corbett. Sullivan did not want it. He avoided Slavin period and eventually picked Corbett a year later. July 1892 is when Sullivan fought and Corbett won every round. Overrated.

 

The above timeline should put what you are saying into perspective.

 

So you say Sullivan ducked Slavin because he didn't fight him in 1891, when John... was retired. That says all I need to know.