BoxRec

I would like to know if Jim Jeffries kept fighting with his world heavyweight title on the line besides Jack Johnson against his eventual successors before Jack Johnson winning the heavyweight title against Marvin Hart and Tommy Burns? Will Jeffries kept fighting with his heavyweight title on the line against all Burns' challengers and cleaning all of them up? What happens if Jeffries fight Jack Johnson if is wasn't for him drawing the color line against him?

I don't think there were any contempory white guys who could have beaten Jefferies, and that is why he retired. Had he not drawn the colour line and fought Johnson, Langford or McVey in his prime he may not have been nearly so dominant.

Marvin Hart was pretty good boxer,probably would have been a better heaveyweight champion then Tommy Burns.
Hart even beat Jack Johnson in a 20 round fight,and rocked him too.
I think I read somewhere where,possibly Hart was the real reason Jeffries decided to retire with his belt.Hart was more of a boxer then a fighter type.

J-C wrote:I don't think there were any contempory white guys who could have beaten Jefferies, and that is why he retired. Had he not drawn the colour line and fought Johnson, Langford or McVey in his prime he may not have been nearly so dominant.

Pre 1905 Johnson was not ready for Jeffires. In fact Johnson lost to Hart, who is several notches below Langford and McVey.

Langford was too small to fight Jeffries, and McVey was just starting his career in 1905. I don't think Jeffries ducked Johnson, McVey or Langford while he was champ.

The wide majority of accounts view the Hart decision against Johnson as ridiculous. Hart was tough and a fair puncher but limited skillwise. Burns beat Hart for the crown, so I cant see how someone can say he wouldve been a better champion then Burns when Burns beat him for the title . .

Jefferies wouldve beaten both Hart and Burns, although Burns wouldve given him a very tough fight . .

dempseyfire wrote:The wide majority of accounts view the Hart decision against Johnson as ridiculous. Hart was tough and a fair puncher but limited skillwise. .

Absolutely right! All newspaper accounts that I have seen say exactly that. Johnson apparently dominated at least 14 rounds.