Why did Jeffries defend against John Finnegan in1900 ?

Good question ,I think there is room for doubt and here's why.

Jackson,if he had beaten Sullivan ,which seems likely at the tail end of John L's reign,would have defended against Corbett ,and probably beaten him too,imo
.He would have had no necessity to come to the UK and fight Slavin for a spurious Commonwealth /British Empire title.

It is my understanding that Jackson was feted in the UK ,but not in the US his colour was more "acceptable" here ,and his gentlemanly deportment ensured he was feted and lionised wherever he went.

Without the wellwishers ,and back slappers he attracted in the UK ,I think he may well have stayed on the straight and narrow,as an athlete in training.
Just my thoughts.

 

Thanks again for the info.

 

Probably, but it has served its purpose.
Thanks for your inputs :good

 

That's not the only record that stands here.

Finnegan went into the title fight with 4 wins in 11 fights ,only 2 of them over heavyweights,one of whom was having his first and only fight ,the other's record was 8-14-2.

This would be enough to qualify Finnegan as the single, most underserving title challenger ever. But there is even more, less than 3 months prior to this title shot ,in his last fight before challenging Jeffries , Finnegan was absolutely annihilated by Gus Ruhlin, he was knocked down 7 times in 4 rounds even being punched right out of the ring,at one point.

NO challenger has ever less deserved a shot at a world title than Jack Finnegan,that is a record that I am confident will stand forever.