Rank these HW greats.

[gambler49]

1. Johnson
2. Dempsey
3. Jeffries

Thats my ranking. But I feel u could put them anyway u want and kno1 could argue.

[Syntax Error]

I'm inclined to agree with your ranking, although it's much harder for me to separate Dempsey & Jeffries.

Jeffries was much bigger & stronger than Dempsey, but as we all know, that did not matter to the Mannassa Mauler, as he'd tear your head off, no matter how big & strong you were.

Saying that, Jeffries was 100x better than Willard, so who knows?

[Goodnight, Irene]

Dempsey
Jeffries
Johnson

Dempsey & Jeffries would've been a terrific, terrific contest.

[jaclem2]

..dempsey vs jeffries, over twenty or twenty five rounds would go to jeffries. at fifteen rounds, or even ten, which is what the tunney fights were i think dempsey has the better chance.

[Goodnight, Irene]

..dempsey vs jeffries, over twenty or twenty five rounds would go to jeffries. at fifteen rounds, or even ten, which is what the tunney fights were i think dempsey has the better chance.

I assume you're saying Jeffries would handle Dempsey's power & explosiveness, but not necessarily his speed of assault, then?

[gambler49]

..dempsey vs jeffries, over twenty or twenty five rounds would go to jeffries. at fifteen rounds, or even ten, which is what the tunney fights were i think dempsey has the better chance.

I couldn't see this fight going more then 8 rounds!

[The Great John L]

1. Johnson
2. Dempsey
3. Jeffries

Thats my ranking. But I feel u could put them anyway u want and kno1 could argue.

That's exactly the order I would put them in as well, and I also agree that they could be ordered other ways without much argument.

[Ezzard]

1. Johnson
2. Dempsey
3. Jeffries

Thats my ranking. But I feel u could put them anyway u want and kno1 could argue.

Agree with this ranking.

Also, agree with Jaclem's take on Dempsey-Jeffries.

[Goodnight, Irene]

As usual, Jeffries is probably being under-rated.

[The Great John L]

As usual, Jeffries is probably being under-rated.

Yes, he does seem to be the forgotten great. I think this might be due to the few fights he had, but it's pretty amazing how many excellent fighters he beat during such an abbreviated career. He kind of jumped right in and kept stepping up the competition with only a few pushovers along the way.

In his first 11 fights he fought Griffin, Ruhlin, Choynski, Everett, Jackson, Goddard and Sharkey. Damn.

[Goodnight, Irene]

On his best day, Jeffries could lick either of these men. I would favour him over Johnson, & his chances are pretty close to equal (one way or another) against Dempsey.

[Mr E]

I have a high opinion of all 3 and agree that Jeffries is under-rated generally. Nevertheless, I make it:

1-Dempsey
2-Johnson
3-Jeffries

[raylawpc]

In a finish fight or over 25 rounds, I think Jeffries in his prime would have defeated Johnson. Twenty or less, I'm not as certain.

Dempsey will have to stop Jeffries within ten rounds. If he doesn't, Jeffries will beat him over the stretch, especially if the fight is over 20 rounds or a finish fight. Jeffries was at his best against guys who pressed him.

I don't think the human being ever lived who could have defeated Jeffries over 25-rounds or to a finish, and fighting under the conditions they did at the turn of the 19th century. (5 ounces - or less - gloves, no mouthpieces, etc.)

[pound per pound]

Both Johnson, and Dempsey said Jeffries was the best of their time. Others like Corbett, Langford, Burns, Fitzsimmons, concurred.

Best guess.

1 ) Jeffries
2 ) Dempsey
3 ) Johnson

[Goodnight, Irene]

In a finish fight or over 25 rounds, I think Jeffries in his prime would have defeated Johnson. Twenty or less, I'm not as certain.

Dempsey will have to stop Jeffries within ten rounds. If he doesn't, Jeffries will beat him over the stretch, especially if the fight is over 20 rounds or a finish fight. Jeffries was at his best against guys who pressed him.

I don't think the human being ever lived who could have defeated Jeffries over 25-rounds or to a finish, and fighting under the conditions they did at the turn of the 19th century. (5 ounces - or less - gloves, no mouthpieces, etc.)

Are the great punchers not allowed to KO him before twenty-five rounds are up?

[raylawpc]

In a finish fight or over 25 rounds, I think Jeffries in his prime would have defeated Johnson. Twenty or less, I'm not as certain.

Dempsey will have to stop Jeffries within ten rounds. If he doesn't, Jeffries will beat him over the stretch, especially if the fight is over 20 rounds or a finish fight. Jeffries was at his best against guys who pressed him.

I don't think the human being ever lived who could have defeated Jeffries over 25-rounds or to a finish, and fighting under the conditions they did at the turn of the 19th century. (5 ounces - or less - gloves, no mouthpieces, etc.)

Are the great punchers not allowed to KO him before twenty-five rounds are up?

It took Johnson 15 when Jeffries was - as many have described - a "shell of his former self." Johnson's not going to do it in Jeffries prime, I don't think.

As I noted, Dempsey will have to stop Jeffries, I think, within ten rounds to win; otherwise, Jeffries will just grind him down. Dempsey, I think, had the power to stop anyone past or present within ten rounds, including Jeffries. But my point was that, if it lasts beyond ten rounds, my money is on Jeffries.

[Goodnight, Irene]

I know, just joshing you. How do you see fights with Louis, Foreman, Liston, & Tyson playing out?

[raylawpc]

I know, just joshing you. How do you see fights with Louis, Foreman, Liston, & Tyson playing out?

Hard to say. They fought in different eras under different conditions - too far removed.

[Goodnight, Irene]

It's difficult, yes. Jeffries would have fought epic battles, in particular though, with Marciano & Frazier, I feel. Those are both attrition battles, & perhaps Jeffries was greater at those than even those men were. Love to have found out.