James J Jeffries v Jack Dempsey. Who wins?

Question

could Jeffries weather Dempsey's early onslaught and go on to win, as he did in so many of his fights? Jeffries had two wins each over Jim Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons and Tom Sharkey. In his second fight with Sharkey Jeffries broke 3 of Tom's ribs with one punch in the 17th round - one of the ribs punctured the skin of Sharkey's chest yet he continued for the full 25 rounds - that's how tough boxing was back then! We'll make the fight over 25 rounds.

Answer 1

Some might find it very hard to imagine Dempsey being knocked out.  Its a little easier to imagine if you put George Forman in front of him.  Many people dont know anything about Jim Jeffries.  Dempsey would beat many who would beat Jeffries.  But would he beat Jeff?  Lets examine.

I've always said that in some cases,  Fighter A could beat Fighters B, C and D,  all of whom would beat fighter E who, in return,  could beat Fighter A.  I could plug in names if you like but think about it for a while.  Guys like Frazier and Lewis come to mind.  Lewis would knock Frazier out.  However,  Frazier could grind down guys who could knock out Lewis.

Going out on a limb I'll say the same here.  Prime Johnson could out last Prime Jeff.  Tunney could out last him as well.  Willis could do the same.   Its possible that Dempsey would beat all of them.  He was not only out of shape when he lost to Tunney.  He was unmotivated.  He didnt have the NEED to fight anymore.  

One must also remember that Jeff was a big heavyweight.  He stood 6'2.5"  and weighed between 215-220 lbs.  I know Jack has taken down his share of giants but none were as rugged and tough as Jim Jeffries.  

Dempsey had faster hands and would use some type of footwork if needed.  Still there would be no search.  In the early going Jack would hit Jeff nearly twice as often as Jeff would hit him.  Still, because of his style, he would take his share of punishment as well.  

Dempsey makes the Top 12 because there are some fighters he would beat on the list.  Some of the same fighters would outpoint Big Jeff.  Tunney might even out run Jeff over 15 rounds.  But I dont think Jack would do it.

Dempsey would hit Jeffries with his best shots and hurt him.  He would fail to finish him.  Jeff cant win a decision.  Dempsey is too busy for that.  I see Dempsey wearing himself out in the process.  He was in supreme shape but he didnt have the stamina of Marciano.  We know what happens to punchers when they cant hurt you.  Shades of Mugabi-Hagler and Trinidad-Hopkins.  

Jeffires by KO in 14

Answer 2

What a great fight this would have been!  James J Jeffries was one of the most powerful fighters of all time and had great endurance, and strength.  He was amazingly quick for a big man and like Dempsey, fought out of a crouching stance. He also had very good power and enough stamina to knock an opponent out in the latter rounds as well as early in the fight.  Dempsey was well known for his fierceness inside the ring with great punching power.  His beating of Jess Willard for the championship was one of the worst in boxing history.  Dempsey like Jeffires could endure a lot of punishment as well with good stamina and endurance.  This would have been a close fight with Jeffries having to endure a bad beating early on in the fight.  In the latter rounds Jeffries would come roaring back.  In round 17 of a great fight, Dempsey would fire an almost desperation left hook flush on the chin of Jeffries and would be the winner by knockout.

Answer 3

good comments toughguy-Blogbaba. I agree.

Dempsey demolished big strong heavyweights. (Willard-Carl Morris-Fred Fulton-Luis Firpo) These guys were tough AND strong. So was Jeffries. Many may feel that Jeff would have taken a early beating, but survived and eventually gotten Dempsey. However, Jack could also box  when he needed to. If a early KO eluded him he would box and pace himself, as evident against Brennan, Tommy Gibbons, and Billy Miske. (Tommy Gibbons, a very slick boxer, after his bout with Dempsey, said " Dont let anyone ever tell you that Jack cant box")

Would no doubt be some rough rounds for Dempsey, but fighters who fought Jack lamented, nobody could recover as fast and become more dangerous when hurt than Jack ( I believe It was Tunney (?) who was one of the fighters who mentioned this. And Firpo was a close personal witness to this as well.)

I think Jack's superior speed, footwork, and just as dangerous, but two-fisted power would start chopping down the mighty Jeffries. TKO 13-16.

Answer 4

James J. Jeffries reminds me a lot of Jess Willard.  Jeffries had better lateral movement, and slightly better hand speed but both were big, strong, plodding heavyweights who hit hard and took punishment in order to land their own punches.

A fight between Dempsey and Jeffriess would be similar but no quite so one sided, with Dempsey still prevailing in the end.