Jeffries was the prototype of the modern,heavyweight punchers, strong, durable and athletic. Johnson was the protype of the modern heavyweight boxers, quick on hands and feet, talented and skilled and athletic.
This fight prime for prime therefore will carry the theme of the boxer versus the puncher which the two figured prominently in their actual meeting but already with Jeffries coming back from years of retirement and losing his once imposing and awesome physique and in-ring capabilities which greatly contributed to his stoppage loss to Johnson.
Prime for prime, it will be an entirely different scenario though akin to the Dempsey-Tunney, Louis-Ezzard Charles, Clay-Liston, Ali Frazier, Ali-Foreman, even Tyson-Douglas fights favoring the boxer's chances or the Louis-Conn, Marciano-Charles, Liston-Patterson even Tyson-Spinks favoring the puncher's chances in character and proportion.
Jeffries in all his career had never fought somebody like Johnson and Johnson had not faced a huge buzzsaw as Jeffries in his own.
Prime for prime I think Jeffries would have the advantage due to his animalistic strength, tremendous stamina and taking power which I think would not allow Johnson to establish any comfortable fighting mode throughout the fight, forcing Johnson to just be reactive and defensive knowing that anytime Jeffries could end the fight by connecting with his power-laden shots. Johnson would be hard put to keep Jeffries at bay unlike what he managed to do against the smaller Stanley Ketchel because Jeffries is as tall and big as, if not more than him, stronger and very durable.
Jeffries will win this fight by late round KO/TKO or by deserving points decision. Puncher beats the boxer in this one as Johnson had issues with his stamina and taking power.
using the rules in place when Jefferies was in his prime he would win this fight.
It is said that Johnson followed Jeffries around demanding a fight, but race relations and public sentiment along with his manager would not allow Jeffries to fight Johnson. After one taunting episode Jeffries was said to have told Johnson they would go into the back room and who ever walked out would be the world champ, and Johnson declined.
Jefferies was a wonder, being very strong and fast, learning to fight in fights rather than having a training or amateur period.
He fought lots of guys with more experience and beat them, so I think he would do the same to Johnson.
It depends on how many rounds the fight goes.
If the fight were 15 rounders i believe Johnson could get the decision.
If the fight was one of those 25 round fights, Jeffries pressure and size would deteriorate the smaller Johnson and Jeffries would knock him out like Willard.
Smaller fighters tend to be faster but in long fights, being big helps. You can out-last the smaller fighter.
Prime Jeffries would have KO'd Johnson silly. Probably inside 5 rounds.
Jim Jeffries by KO in the 9th.
prime vs prime, i see johnson taking a decision, regardless of how many rounds the bout is.
Johnson was too fast and skilled and yes, strong for Jeffers...in short, Jack was too athletic
Who would win and why?
