Of early 20th century fighters, this guy doesn't seem to get alot of respect, but what an impressive record this guy had. Not necessarily in wins and losses, but Jackson has the distinction of having KO victories over Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, Barbados Joe Walcott and Sam Langford. He also KO'd the likes of Mysterious Billy Smith and Dan Creedon, posted decision wins over Mike Donovan twice and Jack Bonner, fought a pair of draws against Walcott, another with Langford, and at only 5-6 took Jack Johnson to a 12 round no decision. He even fought the heavyweight Black Bill to a 15 rd draw despite a 65 lb weight disadvantage.
My question is, does anyone know details of Jackson's stoppage wins over O'Brien, Walcott and Langford, or of his DQ loss to Young Griffo ?
Young Peter Jackson
No details I'm afraid. But here's a writeup on him. Also, not sure if this is the same Peter Jackson that fought Young Griffo (Griffo was a feather)
http://www.ibhof.com/jackson.htm
Peter Jackson
Racial prejudice was the only thing that kept Peter Jackson from his chance to win the world heavyweight crown. A world-class fighter, Jackson was not always granted the kind of competition he deserved. Born in the Virgin Islands, Jackson moved with his family to Australia when he was six years old. When his parents returned to the Caribbean, Jackson stayed in his new homeland. He became an excellent swimmer and diver and found work on ships at the age of fourteen. As a young man, Jackson used his fists to help quell a mutiny, and the incident received attention in the Australian press. Larry Foley, who had also handled Young Griffo, sought Jackson out and started him on his professional career.
Jackson won the Australian heavyweight title in 1886 with a knockout of Tom Leeds in the 30th round. Having difficulty securing bouts in Australia and eager to prove his worth, Jackson travelled to the United States in 1888. However, most top fighters shunned him for racial or competitive reasons. John L. Sullivan, the heavyweight champion and the most famous American boxer, stated, "I will not fight a Negro. I never have, and I never shall." Although Sullivan had actually faced a black opponent previously, he would not change his stance regarding Jackson.
Jackson knocked out George Godfrey, another black fighter, and several white opponents who agreed to fight him as he travelled across the country. He then journeyed to England where he beat Jem Smith in two rounds to claim the championship of the British Empire. Jackson dominated the fight and forced Smith to resort to wrestling to avoid a knockout.
Back in the U.S., Jackson found an adequate foe in future heavyweight champion James J. Corbett. In 1891, at the California Athletic Club in San Francisco, the two battled to a 61-round draw. Jackson displayed great boxing ability, although some observers believed that the 30-year-old fighter's punches were not the incredibly powerful weapons they had once been. Corbett later stated in his autobiography that Jackson could have beaten any heavyweight Corbett ever saw. Over the next several years, Jackson fought when he could obtain a match, acted, and ran a boxing school in London. In 1898, an over-the-hill Jackson lost to future champion James J. Jeffries on a fourth-round knockout. Shortly thereafter, Jackson returned to Australia to fight the tuberculosis which ultimately killed him.
http://www.ibhof.com/jackson.htm
Peter Jackson
Racial prejudice was the only thing that kept Peter Jackson from his chance to win the world heavyweight crown. A world-class fighter, Jackson was not always granted the kind of competition he deserved. Born in the Virgin Islands, Jackson moved with his family to Australia when he was six years old. When his parents returned to the Caribbean, Jackson stayed in his new homeland. He became an excellent swimmer and diver and found work on ships at the age of fourteen. As a young man, Jackson used his fists to help quell a mutiny, and the incident received attention in the Australian press. Larry Foley, who had also handled Young Griffo, sought Jackson out and started him on his professional career.
Jackson won the Australian heavyweight title in 1886 with a knockout of Tom Leeds in the 30th round. Having difficulty securing bouts in Australia and eager to prove his worth, Jackson travelled to the United States in 1888. However, most top fighters shunned him for racial or competitive reasons. John L. Sullivan, the heavyweight champion and the most famous American boxer, stated, "I will not fight a Negro. I never have, and I never shall." Although Sullivan had actually faced a black opponent previously, he would not change his stance regarding Jackson.
Jackson knocked out George Godfrey, another black fighter, and several white opponents who agreed to fight him as he travelled across the country. He then journeyed to England where he beat Jem Smith in two rounds to claim the championship of the British Empire. Jackson dominated the fight and forced Smith to resort to wrestling to avoid a knockout.
Back in the U.S., Jackson found an adequate foe in future heavyweight champion James J. Corbett. In 1891, at the California Athletic Club in San Francisco, the two battled to a 61-round draw. Jackson displayed great boxing ability, although some observers believed that the 30-year-old fighter's punches were not the incredibly powerful weapons they had once been. Corbett later stated in his autobiography that Jackson could have beaten any heavyweight Corbett ever saw. Over the next several years, Jackson fought when he could obtain a match, acted, and ran a boxing school in London. In 1898, an over-the-hill Jackson lost to future champion James J. Jeffries on a fourth-round knockout. Shortly thereafter, Jackson returned to Australia to fight the tuberculosis which ultimately killed him.
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RowanSmith
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 74
- Joined: 17 Sep 2003, 16:39
Jackson's win over Joe Wolcott in 1904 was a legit KO. He briefly claimed the championship after the win, but it was claimed that he was over the welterweight limit for the fight. I think it was 151 or something of that nature. I will have to check. Jackson stopped Langford but did not KO him. Sam retired with an injured shoulder. He actually knocked out Philadelphia Jack twice, once in thirteen rounds in 1900 and once in two rounds in 1905(although Jackson was adjudged the loser on a foul). The first bout in San Fran in 1900 was a whitewash as O'brien was cleaning peter's clock for 13 rounds. Jackson took his punishment stoically, simply waiting for an opportunity to land a big punch. That chance came in 14th round when Peter hurt Jack with a right hand to the jaw and then finished him with another right to the body. O'brien had to be assisted from the ring. The 1905 bout was curious because their seemed to be some confusion over the rules the men were fighting under. In those days men either agreed to fight out of the clinches or fight with "clean breaks" which in essence meant, either they could punch in the clinches or they couldn't . In the second round of the fight, while in a clinch, Jackson landed a hellacious right hand which spilled O'brien, and left him lying on the floor semi-conscious. His seconds dragged him back to the corner and began to cry foul. Jackson left the ring assuming he had won, but later found out that he had been disqualified for hitting on the break. Some wrangling went on but it really didn't amount to much. Most of the fans at ringside felt that the blow was a foul one.
Jackson was a good puncher, hard, durable and quite defensively proficient when he chose. He was not a clever boxer and won his fights more through strength and determination. He was a feared opponent and fought some of the best men of his time. Another under-rated fighter.
Jackson was a good puncher, hard, durable and quite defensively proficient when he chose. He was not a clever boxer and won his fights more through strength and determination. He was a feared opponent and fought some of the best men of his time. Another under-rated fighter.