JimJeffries 5 Best Wins Note The Age , Size, And Activity Levels Of Them As Well.

[Willie Pep 229]

Yes Fitz was inactive,but that doesn't in any way imply he was afraid of Jeffries in fact he chose him as a challenger,because he thought him a big crude dub.I'm saying Fitz much preferred Jeffries to a rematch with Corbett.
Rather similar to Frazier opting for Foreman rather than facing Ali again.

Maybe!

Digression: Did you hear the story about Jeffries attacking Fitz in the dressing room before the fight?

I don't know if it is true but I remember some wags from the rags claiming that Fitz was so freaked out that he went "Michael Spinks" by the time he entered the ring.

[mattdonnellon]

I am still a bit sceptical about the first Griffin-Jeff fight, when did it happen, where, what occurred or did it happen at all. I think Pollack feels it did and that is a decent counter balance of my opinion! Goddard was washed up as noted,
Jackson would be bottom five rather than top five. Fitz(1 &2) Corbett 1, Ruhlin 2, Sharkey (1&2) a big falloff then but in fairness few have fought a decent level of fighters as soon and as consistently as Jeff. Ruhlin 1, Choynski, Munroe, Kennedy, Armstrong. Griffin, VanBuskirk, Everett, Baker, Goddard, Johnson, Finnegan maybe, not bad with only Lorraine, Long-his first two opponents- and Jackson without some merit at the time.

[Willie Pep 229]

Jeffries had a crisis of confidence,so his manager Brady hatched a plan,he would get into a manufactured argument with Fitz about the interpretation of a clean break,whereupon Jeffries clad in only a loin cloth would burst in demanding what the ruckus was about? Brady would explain and then Jeffries would say,"you talk too much Brady ,"and shove Fitz across the room.And that's what happened, the much bigger Jeffries half threw the unsuspecting Fitz half way across the room saying loudly," that's how we will break!"
Accounts suggest Fitz was visibly shaken at this ,and also at seeing Jeffries up close and personal with his physique on display.

OK. Thanks for the conformation. I just remembered hearing it once.

Fitz and Jeffries must have become friends at some level. There is this period where they barnstormed together. Some kind of extended exhibition tour.

Plus, Fitz couldn't have been too shakened he took the rematch.

[Willie Pep 229]

I am still a bit sceptical about the first Griffin-Jeff fight, when did it happen, where, what occurred or did it happen at all. I think Pollack feels it did and that is a decent counter balance of my opinion! Goddard was washed up as noted,
Jackson would be bottom five rather than top five. Fitz(1 &2) Corbett 1, Ruhlin 2, Sharkey (1&2) a big falloff then but in fairness few have fought a decent level of fighters as soon and as consistently as Jeff. Ruhlin 1, Choynski, Munroe, Kennedy, Armstrong. Griffin, VanBuskirk, Everett, Baker, Goddard, Johnson, Finnegan maybe, not bad with only Lorraine, Long- qhis first two opponents- and Jackson without some merit at the time.

This from Boxrec.

Exact date is uncertain. This fight was listed in Griffin's record in Oakland Tribune. Griffin talks about this bout in one interview but claims it went 17 rounds, but that he hurt his hands and had to quit.

Assuming this to be true, it still reads well for Jeffries. He lasted 14/17 rounds with a serious fighter.

Of course a very different event than the recoded 14th round KO. But still good for Jeffries.

[Anomalocaris]

Fitz feared no man.

A top 10 PFP if ever there was one.

[mattdonnellon]

This from Boxrec.

Exact date is uncertain. This fight was listed in Griffin's record in Oakland Tribune. Griffin talks about this bout in one interview but claims it went 17 rounds, but that he hurt his hands and had to quit.

Assuming this to be true, it still reads well for Jeffries. He lasted 14/17 rounds with a serious fighter.

Of course a very different event than the recoded 14th round KO. But still good for Jeffries.

Yep, Id love to see the Griffin interview!

[Willie Pep 229]

Not finding much but enjoy looking.

Nice to see New York Times acknowledged JJ as HW Champion.
Screenshot_20250221_175151_**********

[JAB5239]

Not finding much but enjoy looking.

Nice to see New York Times acknowledged JJ as HW Champion.
Screenshot_20250221_175151_**********

Not for nothing, but I believe there is a correlation here to the size thread. Nutrition and better health care has certainly been the main reason people have gotten bigger. How many people nowadays die from typhoid fever or tuberculosis? It's a very relevant thing in my opinion.

[Dr Z]

I am still a bit sceptical about the first Griffin-Jeff fight, when did it happen, where, what occurred or did it happen at all. I think Pollack feels it did and that is a decent counter balance of my opinion! Goddard was washed up as noted,
Jackson would be bottom five rather than top five. Fitz(1 &2) Corbett 1, Ruhlin 2, Sharkey (1&2) a big falloff then but in fairness few have fought a decent level of fighters as soon and as consistently as Jeff. Ruhlin 1, Choynski, Munroe, Kennedy, Armstrong. Griffin, VanBuskirk, Everett, Baker, Goddard, Johnson, Finnegan maybe, not bad with only Lorraine, Long-his first two opponents- and Jackson without some merit at the time.

It did happen, the debate is when it happened.

[Dr Z]

Yep, Id love to see the Griffin interview!

Matt,Here are some dates:

1. August 12, 1896 - George Washington, San Francisco, CA *** NEW ***
   • Result: KO (Round 2)
2. • December 22, 1896 - Hank Griffin, Oakland, CA
     • Result: KO (Round 14

According to Jeffries himself he first started fighting in 1893! He says this in film Mr. Celebrity. ( 1941 ) See the link below at the 40:20 mark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8j6MB7CXkE

Much of Jeffries early career is missing from the record including reported KO's of Martin and Childs. Keep digging...