Jim Jeffries, in Reno 1910 or Peter Jackson ,San Francisco 1898 ? Jim Jeffries had his last fight as Champion on 26th of August 1904. He made a comeback on the 4th July 1910. Jeffries announced his comeback 16 months earlier ,so one assumes he went into training shortly after the announcemant . Jeffries had been working his alfalfa farm during his retirement, and had gained a huge amount of weight ,some say up to 100lbs. When Jeffries entered the ring against his nemesis Jack Johnson, he was 34 years old. Peter Jackson retired in 1892 , at the age of 31, distraught that he could not get a title fight with either John L Sullivan, or his successor Jim Corbett, who won the title in September of that year. Jackson's last meaningful fight had been his victory over Frank Slavin in London, after this, and while he was in the UK ,he became an alcoholic, he later also contracted TB.Which ultimately killed him, at age 40. Jackson went back to the US had 1 ,nothing fight, against Danny Kelliher 3-15-4, [4rds] in November of that year and retired. Jackson came out of retirement 3 years later ,and took on no hoper Gustav Wilkie 2-3-1,then retired again for 3 years. In 1898, bankrupt, Jackson took on Jeffries. Jackson was 37 years old. He did only perfunctory sparring for the fight, as has been documented, and was swept aside , in 3 rds , by the 23year old Jeffries. To capsulate. In The 6 years prior to his comeback, Jeffries had no fights , and ,though he had 16 months to train ,he had to shift a significant amount of weight. He was 34 years old when he faced Johnson. In the 6 years prior to his fight with Jeffries ,Jackson had a total of 10rds ring action, 6 of those, 3 years before the fight with Jeffries . he was an alcoholic and tubercular. He was 37 years old when he faced Jeffries. This content is protected This content is protected Which of them was in the better condition for the ring? Jeffries in the ring awaiting Johnson.
Jeffries was in great shape, I think he might have over-trained actually. It just happens that he was shot to pieces.
Jeffries never gained over 100lbs, photo evidence shows otherwise, he was also in amazing physical condition against Johnson even if he wasn't at his best
Jeffries, most certainly. Consumption is a nasty affliction compromising wind. Jackson couldn't even train properly. Jeff at least was healthy enough to undertake proper training.
Thank you all for the comments ,I have inadvertently posted this twice , whilst looking for photos ,my apologies for any confusion. [SIZE=+1]" . . . I don't know whether I'll experience the same disappointments here[/SIZE] [SIZE=+1]that have been mine these past two years in my own country - the land of my[/SIZE] [SIZE=+1]adoption, Australia. If no-one here will agree to fight me, then I will[/SIZE] [SIZE=+1]have to travel on to some other part [/SIZE] [SIZE=+1] of the globe. I am a fighting man by[/SIZE] [SIZE=+1]occupation and I believe that here in your America, the opportunity which I[/SIZE] [SIZE=+1]have been seeking will come to me."[/SIZE] Peter Jackson
He gained a considerable amount of weight. He looks to be at least 280 pounds in refereeing a Tommy Burns fight on film. I mean, in shape at 220ish he has no baggage on his midsection at all, but in photos and film he's bloated with a huge waist, looking AT LEAST 60 or 70 pounds above his fighting weight.
If Peter Jackson was already inflicted with a respiratory disease then surely he's in worse shape. I don't know if that was the case though. His age and alcoholism are concerns too. I'd say serious drink problem is worse than getting fat on a farm. Buy Jeff's condition was perhaps almost as bad. I think it's safe to say both men were completely shot or washed-up at these respective stages.
After 1892 Jackson was unable to obtain fights. Past his prime, he was debilitated by fast living and probably even then tubercular. He taught boxing, worked as a publican, toured as an actor in Uncle Tom's Cabin and boxed exhibitions. In March 1898 he was sacrificed to Jim Jeffries, who flattened him in three rounds, and next year suffered the third of his losses in thirty-seven fights at the hands of a fourth-rater at Vancouver. Money was raised to send him to Australia, where he toured with Fitzgerald's circus but he was too ill to box. After several benefits he was sent to Queensland where he died of tuberculosis at Roma on 13 July 1901. He was buried with Anglican rites and pomp in Toowong cemetery. A magnificent tomb was later erected by subscription with the words, 'This was a man'.
