Jeffries KOs Jackson
James J. Jeffries dominated American heavyweight boxing from 1899 to 1904. After winning the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship from Bob Fitzsimmons in 1899, Jeffries made 9 successful title defenses during the next five years. He retired undefeated in 1905 before be lured back for an ill-fated comeback against the great Jack Johnson.
Jeffries didn’t win his bouts with superior boxing skills. Writers covering the sport often referred to him as “slow and rather akward”. However, at 6’01” and 225 pounds, he possessed tremendous punching power. Few fighters could withstand his powerful blows.
James J. Jeffries from the Library of Congress archive
Jeffries’ punching power was on full display during his battle with Peter Jackson. Jackson was one of the most feared fighters of his era. Being a black Australian, many fighters, including John L. Sullivan, used the excuse of Jackson’s race to avoid fighting him.
Jackson fought 105 professional bouts in his career, losing only 5. However, going into this bout, Jackson had not fought professionally since 1892. Nearly 37-years-old, Jackson was on the downside of his career but believed he had the skill to neutralize Jeffries’ power.
The 23-year-old Jeffries wanted to establish himself as the top contender for Fitzsimmons’ championship, so he was willing to risk a bout with Jackson. It would be Jeffries’ power versus Jackson’s skill and experience.
The men met on Tuesday night, March 22, 1898, at Woodward’s Pavilion in San Francisco. A large crowd attended the bout, which turned out to be one-sided.
The first round was a slow feeling out process with Jackson getting the better of the exchanges. The Associated Press reporter remarked that while Jackson did better in the first round, he didn’t take advantage of all the openings Jeffries presented. It was a bad omen for the fight.
Jeffries’ seconds told him to press the fight, so he came out strong for the second round. Jeffries used his superior strength to push Jackson around the ring. The rough housing seemed to fatigue Jackson. Jeffries saw Jackson’s struggle and hit him with a right hand. Jackson went down but beat the count by regaining his feet.
Jackson back pedaled away from Jeffries, who continued to throw powerful blows. Jackson’s defense prevented a clean connection but he was clearly hurting at the end of Round 2.
The third round would be the last. Jeffries threw powerful blows as Jackson sagged back against the ropes. Jeffries threw nearly a dozen unanswered blows before Capt. Wittmann, who I believe was the local law enforcement representative, stepped in to the ring to stop the fight. The referee awarded Jeffries the fight on a technical knockout.
Jackson made no protest over the decision. “It’s the fortunes of war. The youngest and strongest won, and, as I said before the fight, I will not murmur as I was fairly whipped.”
Jeffries risk paid of as he now established himself as a top contender for the heavyweight championship. Now, he only needed to get “Ruby Robert” in the ring.
You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Facebook page or Twitter profile.
Source: The Los Angeles Times, March 23, 1898, p. 8
