Just how good was Jim Jeffries?

[tennesseeboy]

Where do you guys rate Big Jim amongst all time HW's? Sadly he will always be remembered for his bout with Jack Johnson when he was arguably way past his prime and had to lose over 100 lbs just to fight Jack. How would a fight have gone down with BOTH in their respective primes?

[banburner]

Same result drawn out over a longer and closer period.

Different class of fighters.

[McGrain]

Jeffries was an utter beast of a fighter and regarded at the time of his fight with Munro as the best fighter ever to have fought. He was seen as untouchable. Jeffries was heavily, heavily favoured to beat Johnson were they to be matched in 1905.

However, Johnson hadn't hit his own prime at that point. Prime for prime this is Ali and Louis for the pre-Dempsey crowd. I tend to favour Johnson by a tiny sliver but no money going down.

Last time I did a list I had Jeffries at #10 and Johnson at #11. You could switch them or move them about and get no argument from me.

[The Iron Man]

He gets underrated and understandably so, it was just so long ago. I find it difficult to place him on a list as I base my knowledge from things I've read. Anyway from what I understand:

He was a beast of a man but surprisingly quick for his size, he adopted an unusual (for the time) crouched style of basic which was a no thrills but effective style. His incredible stamina and strength were what gave him the edge over many opponents. He would often just break opponents down rather than knocking them out (even though he had it in his locker), he was a great body puncher.


That's my take on him anyway, it will be cool to here what others think.

[tennesseeboy]

Was also said that he could run the 100 yard dash in 11 seconds. And high jump damn near 6 feet. He was a freakish athlete. I've read where Johnson challenged him to a fight in 1905, but Jeff drew the color barrier at the time for whatever reason. I read the following statement in a article the other day.


In 1904, when Jeffries was in his prime, Jack Johnson met with him trying to pressure Big Jeff into a title shot. Jeff, knowing the politics of the time, drew the color line. But he told Johnson in dead seriousness, "There's a cellar in the place. 'Tell you what I'll do. I won't meet you in the ring because you got no name and we wouldn't draw flies. But I'll go downstairs with you and lock the door on the inside. The one who comes out with the key will be the champ." Johnson refused and walked out. That's the kind of rugged man Jeffries was though, a real fighter. A boxer, a wrestler, a street-fighter. He could do it all.

[banburner]

Was also said that he could run the 100 yard dash in 11 seconds. And high jump damn near 6 feet. He was a freakish athlete. I've read where Johnson challenged him to a fight in 1905, but Jeff drew the color barrier at the time for whatever reason. I read the following statement in a article the other day.


In 1904, when Jeffries was in his prime, Jack Johnson met with him trying to pressure Big Jeff into a title shot. Jeff, knowing the politics of the time, drew the color line. But he told Johnson in dead seriousness, "There's a cellar in the place. 'Tell you what I'll do. I won't meet you in the ring because you got no name and we wouldn't draw flies. But I'll go downstairs with you and lock the door on the inside. The one who comes out with the key will be the champ." Johnson refused and walked out. That's the kind of rugged man Jeffries was though, a real fighter. A boxer, a wrestler, a street-fighter. He could do it all.

The statistics are probably exaggerated. Johnson could reportedly run at 10 yards per second or 20 miles per hour and fight sharks under-water.

Johnson would beat Jeffries any-time.

[Canelo Phresh]

Was also said that he could run the 100 yard dash in 11 seconds. And high jump damn near 6 feet. He was a freakish athlete. I've read where Johnson challenged him to a fight in 1905, but Jeff drew the color barrier at the time for whatever reason. I read the following statement in a article the other day.


In 1904, when Jeffries was in his prime, Jack Johnson met with him trying to pressure Big Jeff into a title shot. Jeff, knowing the politics of the time, drew the color line. But he told Johnson in dead seriousness, "There's a cellar in the place. 'Tell you what I'll do. I won't meet you in the ring because you got no name and we wouldn't draw flies. But I'll go downstairs with you and lock the door on the inside. The one who comes out with the key will be the champ." Johnson refused and walked out. That's the kind of rugged man Jeffries was though, a real fighter. A boxer, a wrestler, a street-fighter. He could do it all.

7 ft tall he was, hair red like the fires of hell. It was said he could kill a man with just a look.

[JAB5239]

Let me guess, because he was white? No way a white man could be that great of an athlete, huh? lol

Relax, they're playing with you. Don't bring race into this section again please.

He's top 15 all time in my opinion. He was a great athlete and an excellent fighter, but his longevity hurts his all time standing in my opinion as well as drawing the color line. Jmo.

[banburner]

Let me guess, because he was white? No way a white man could be that great of an athlete, huh? lol

I am white rendering that argument invalid and I made clear there was also exaggerated claims for Johnson.

Jeffries was not on Johnson's level and the styles match-up certainly does not play into his favour either.

[tennesseeboy]

I was just playing. Lighten up, man. If he wasn't on Johnson's level, though. Then why have numerous sports writers even not 40 years ago have rated him higher than Johnson? Idk personally, because i never saw him fight, obviously. All we can go by is lackluster quality youtube videos. That's your opinion. We all have one. Thanks for the input, though. No harm intended, just humor gone wrong. Everybody seems to flip out when race is brought in. It isn't that big of a deal. That's why i put lol @ the end of it.