Former Heavyweight champion James J Jeffries speaking (rare footage)

[@uncjim]

I remember asking my grandfather (born in 1893) who was his favorite fighter. Without hesitation..”Jim Jeffries”.

[@joe56984]

He is definitely overlooked nowadays when you hear discussion of the all time greats. He was a giant of his time and would still be a modern heavyweight in terms of height and weight.

[@paulreddy5452]

As did my Grandfather

[@jamesgreen8573]

@@googlemyself4091 that comment proves you know absolutely fcuk all about the sport, stick to Disney films you stupid boy

[@TheTruthTalker_]

@@googlemyself4091 you're a joke

[@afranks8566]

Did he ever see him fight in person?

[@Bbmangood]

I love that we can here the voices of the past greats

[@moeharvard]

Its a shame that Jim Jeffries is only judged by the Johnson fight. My understanding is that in his prime , he was judged the greatest by all his peers. Thanks for uploading

[@afranks8566]

There are a few clips of him in his prime here on youtube. Both fighting and training. You have to really watch the clips because it's not great quality but The guy was strong, crafty and had pretty decent reflexes. He's built like a modern day heavyweight.

[@jahno7154]

He should have fought Jack Johnson when he was in his peak years then it could of been a different story.

[@lloydhendricks5370]

He's judged negatively because he refused to fight Jack. He did admit after the loss that he wouldn't have been able to beat Jack in 1905 or anytime.

[@TheBatugan77]

@David pp So what?

[@patmark3059]

@David pp Jesus

[@BruceJackson-lx2dw]

I visited Helston in Cornwall England, where Bob Fitzsimmons was born. He was world middleweight/heavy /light heavy world champ..in that order. Some fighter !

[@charlesmcintyre1081]

Fascinating video, it really is interesting to put a voice to a legendary man I've only seen in old boxing photos and postcards. Back in the old days, the heavyweight champion was treated like American royalty, our version of the Prince of Wales, like a conquering war hero. With the obvious exception of Jack Johnson, who was envied by the white establishment because as a black man he had the audacity to beat up on white fighters. I'll say this about Jim Jeffries, after he was soundly beaten by Johnson in 1910, he had the class to say that Johnson was a much better fighter, and that he wouldn't have beaten Johnson even in his (Jeffries) prime. Thanks for sharing this video :-)

[@dantedlane2]

Jack johnson brought it upon himself,by trashtalk causing riots etc,in England he wasloved,all black boxers were in england

[@samyoung9365]

@Buff kobe Yes I agree with you a lot of Blacks are Racist Hypocrites just like you!!!

[@samyoung9365]

@Buff kobe By the way try to learn how to spell!

[@easyriderrider4580]

So Beautiful though... In its own way... He sounds Just Like, what I always imagined Jeffries sounded and acted like, too. God bless Jeffries, the Greatest!! 😊☺️😊😎😎😎😎😎👆👆👍👍👍🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷

[@thegadflygang5381]

Wow this is cool. Jefferies literally fought every big name fighter that existed at the turn of the 20th century. Thanks for the vid

[@marktaha2701]

I rate him.among the top.five champions.

[@thegadflygang5381]

@@marktaha2701 ill be honest i dont know that much about him. Pre Dempsey i get thin on knowledge

[@leroygardner2034]

@@marktaha2701 Where would you rank Jack Johnson? 🤔

[@marktaha2701]

@@leroygardner2034 No 2 below Jack Dempsey.

[@leroygardner2034]

@@marktaha2701 He dodged black fighters until he got his ASS kicked and had to retire. Ali Foremon never ducked anyone. Marciano had the guts to give other fighters a shot. Dempsey? I know the excuse is always the same. "IT WAS THE SIGN OF THE TIME". PLEASE!!

[@afranks8566]

I find it interesting that he rates Corbett and Fitzsimmons as his two toughest opponents and not Sharkey and Johnson. Sharkey went the distance with him twice and Johnson beat him (although it was a 35 year ring rusted Jeffries that fought Johnson). Still, interesting 🤔

[@dantedlane2]

Corbett's is my influence ,my muse my most studied boxer

[@joe56984]

Sometimes the fights we think are tougher, the fighters have a different opinion. For instance, Zab Judah has said his fight with Mickey Ward was his toughest, not his fight against Floyd Mayweather.

[@dantedlane2]

@@joe56984 mentally tiring,and power punching is two diff things ppl dont realize is affecting the boxers

[@afranks8566]

@@joe56984 that is very true. I mean they're the ones in the ring fighting so they would know better than anyone.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Fitzy gave em hell

[@jeromemosley1164]

Respectful man if you was a good fighter he was straight to the point no matter what race you are truly respect a man like him.

[@natturner806]

Respect a racist? typical of you 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TheBatugan77]

@@natturner806 How's your knee grow?

[@natturner806]

@@TheBatugan77 Pink face go and get a tan 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@devilface97]

​@@TheBatugan77that's methed up

[@TheBatugan77]

​@@natturner806 Up on your feet, Remus. Dem hedges ain't gonna trim dem selves!

[@leehannaford4808]

Nice footage of an old time great🥊. Keep the footage coming sir. Good stuff 👍

[@manosparavida3551]

That's a hell of an accolade that Bob Fitzimmons receives from the formidable Jim 'The Boilermaker' Jefferies.

[@thegrimlok7944]

Thanks for this.

[@Shauno944]

Wow James J Jeffries. You listen when a man of this caliber speaks.

[@samanthajeffriespetrie5452]

Oh wow , this is my grandads uncle , can't wait to show my dad , amazing , thank you for sharing ❤️🙏🏼❤️

[@joe56984]

That’s awesome. He was a legendary heavyweight of the era, many blessings to you and your family!

[@samanthajeffriespetrie5452]

@@joe56984 honestly my dad has spent many years researching , my grandad didn't talk about him much but had a house full of memories and video paper clipping and things that were sent to him in the UK from his uncle Jim , my dad is named after him , I hope to find more 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@brianpress1392]

@@samanthajeffriespetrie5452 Wow, Your Related To The Great Jim Jeffries, Heavyweight Champion. I've been a Boxing Fan since I was a kid in the early 1960,s, and for me This is an Honor to be acknowledging a living relative of Mr.Jeffries. l Used to read everything I could about Fighters, especially since the Day's of The Great John L. Sullivan, and I gotta say I'm facinated to be able to be reading Your thoughts On The Champ. Thank You so much for sharing Ms. Jeffries Petrie. 🤜🏆🌹

[@Scaw]

I was a teenager in bed the morning I heard of the great Jim Jeffries death in 1953. I was so shocked that I let out a yell which caused worried parents to dash upstairs to see what was wrong! Eleven years later I listened to the Liston v Clay/Ali fight in the same room.

[@matthewgaler6544]

Samantha…. Ah man , that’s great you got to see this footage !… all the best . God bless

[@johndawhale3197]

Still better editing than today's KZbinrs...

[@COBBETT1215]

An old warhorse from a different age. Apparently he was a quiet taciturn man, and a man of the 19th century, as shown by his awkwardness in front of a camera and microphone. But notice there's no slurring of his actual words. It's a shame he's largely only remembered for his poor showing against Jack Johnson. A fight he should never have taken after a six year lay off. I suspect Jack would always have been too skilled and elusive for Jeff. But at his peak, they never came tougher, stronger or more determined.

[@fabriciodossantos55]

YOU Pity A GUY WHO WANTED TO SHOW HIMSELF BY SAYING THAT A WHITE MAN WAS BETTER THAN A BLACK..😁

[@FlyBoulJor]

n he was racist lol

[@johnreidy2804]

@@FlyBoulJor shut up you ignorant fool. You have no evidence to support such a stupid assertion.

[@TheBatugan77]

@@FlyBoulJor So what? 🐵 🐒

[@joekavanagh7171]

He's not largely known for the Johnson fight. Most fans know he was a great champion.

[@constantine7382]

It's become a big deal not to give these guys credit. Jeffries was among the strongest heavyweight champions ever but don't take my word for it. The AMAZING Sam Langford once advertised that he would fight any man in the world at any weight. EXCEPT JAMES J. JEFFRIES! Pretty much says it all.

[@richardbranton7396]

Credit ?for dodging jack for years?

[@constantine7382]

@@richardbranton7396 Almost any fighter you name has dodged someone. But that was just the way it was back then. Right or wrong, it is what it is.

[@TheBatugan77]

@@richardbranton7396 He offered to fight Johnson in the basement of a bar for $2500, no holds barred, with the winner coming out as champion

[@TheBatugan77]

@@richardbranton7396 Joe Choinsky kayoed Johnson in three rounds in early 1901-2. Jefferies would have smashed Jack if they had faced each other back then.

[@jherl8307]

Didn’t know Langford had that much respect for any other fighter. I mean he was chasing the great Jack Dempsey when Jack was in his prime and Langford was 40 y.o.

[@ronniecozzi8385]

Clearly a man from a different century and not used to mass media.

[@dougfredricks2017]

Thank you for the nostalgic post. 👍

[@aicucab2742]

Also my great great uncle Jim ! Best of all Time, stories past down legendary

[@decristo1021]

Has anyone seen the movie they shall not grow old, where director Peter Jackson restored and colorized World War One footage? It’s amazing and gives a whole fresh perspective on the war. I wish someone would do that with these old fights. We would be able to assess the old timers better. One other issue though is that the sport has changed, obviously and I think that fighters like Johnson and Dempsey changed it in alternate ways. Johnson seems to have perfected the cat and mouse sneaky counterpunching, thinking man style of fighting….very intelligent fighter with ring smarts to spare. Dempsey seems to have perfected the all out, bob and weave swarming style….both of them awesome fighters….but would I love to see Johnson and Jeffries restored and in color!

[@constantine7382]

AMAZING! I love this.

[@abudujana13]

Thanks for the video, JOE

[@ronaldlevao8251]

Short clips but great to hear. I agree with what others say about his modesty, his clear speech, his great career. I was impressed also by his praise for Bob Fitzsimmons. Fitz was blown up middleweight-lightheavweight (I believe he dropped back down to lightheavy after being heavyweight champion), and if a big powerhouse like Jeff was impressed by him, that's "saying something."

[@apostle-420-]

damn my great grandpa’s cousin, he was one of the best in his day!.

[@easyriderrider4580]

YES, You're great grandpa's cousin was the BEST... My friend... God bless you all and thank you. 😊☺️😊😎😎😎👆👆👍👍👍🍺🍺🍺🍺🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷

[@samanthajeffriespetrie5452]

Wow this gentleman was my grandads uncle 🙌

[@AndrewWilliams-kw6bc]

Not one of, he was the best !

[@decristo1021]

In old pics, Jeffries really does look massive and built like a powerhouse….

[@ishatype2764]

He definitely was. In his prime long before the Johnson fight he regularly fought at 6'2" and weighted about 220 lbs. Good size for today, huge back then.

[@irishscience580]

@@ishatype2764 jeffries was an absolute behemoth for back then. 6'2 220 pounds is equivalent to like 6'6 260 pounds today. Primo carnera i believe is the biggest champion until valuev and fury. carnera was 6'6 85 in reach, 270 pounds in the 1930s!

[@Bbmangood]

I wonder what year this audio and video recording was

[@joe56984]

I’ve been unable to confirm the precise year this was filmed, but taking an educated guess I’d say late 1930’s to early 1940’s. If I do find the exact year I will update the description to include this.

[@robertdecker146]

I'm guessing this to be from around 1930(Early Talkie days). Jefferies would be in his mid 50's.(Turned 55 in 1930).

[@andreadevaleri5990]

Great great champion!!

[@nycinstyle]

Jeffries has been called the greatest heavyweight of all-time by numerous boxing people -- Jim Corbett, Jack Dempsey, Tommy Burns, Willie Ritchie, and Tom Sharkey to name five. Jack Johnson, the first black Heavyweight Champion and the only man to beat Jeffries, also called Jim the greatest heavyweight of all-time. Sam Langford, the great light-heavyweight fighter, even advertised in papers to fight any man in the world except Jim Jeffries. I think before Joe Louis came along making a name for himself in the mid to late 1930s, , most boxing experts back then said Jeffries is the best heavyweight champion of them all. Top heavyweight in the first over fifty yeas of the organized sport, queensbury rules, of boxing. He was undefeated, a great chamion at heavyweight, and only lost one fight that took place years after his initial retirement. He came back to box Jack Johnson. Many people did not like Johnson's arrogance and they pleaded for Jeffries to come back. A lot of racists, too. Not Jeffries. Jeffries, I bet, naturally did his best to win coming back older and out of the game for awhile. My guess is he came back, he did it cause he wanted the money from his purse in the contract most of all. lol

[@joe56984]

It was definitely a cash grab by Jeff, it was a crazy amount of money. He was simply out of the ring way too long and had to lose a massive amount of weight in a short period of time. So not only were his reflexes not what they were, but his strength and stamina were also diminished. Perhaps if he had taken a couple of “tune up” fights his body would have been reacclimatized to boxing and his weight. Jack had previously lost to a middleweight, Joe Choynski. Or perhaps Jack was peaking as a fighter and was simply too much for Jeff. As far as judging greats of the past, we can only do so based on how they were perceived and how they performed against their peers. Jeff was a legend of his time, as was Jack.

[@TheBatugan77]

​@@joe56984 Well said, chief. I don't judge Frazier in how he did against Cummings, Ali against Holmes or Berbick, or Holmes against Tyson. Nor should anyone far past his prime be evaluated as if it were their prime.

[@bryanpayne3793]

I got this on dvd

[@charlierobson4251]

Dude really?! Do you have the full cut? Or is this all there ever was? Thanks!

[@bryanpayne3793]

@@charlierobson4251 this is all there is of it.

[@cw6983]

When was this filmed?

[@jedcampett7328]

James J Jeffries was a great fighter, heavyweight champion of the world 1899-1905, retired undefeated with a 20-0 record. Very strong and muscular..he developed himself into a true champion. He was regarded by other fighters in his time as the best fighter in the world. Jack Johnson even admitted that he was the greatest fighter ever! I think that Jeffries could have stood up against any fighter in boxing history. A great fantasy fight would be Jim Jeffries vs Rocky Marciano.. strange as it seems, Marciano was the heavyweight champion of the world when Jefferies passed away in 1953..so Jeffries actually saw Marciano fight. Who would have won? It must be left to the imagination

[@michaelbarnhart2593]

James J. Jeffries retired with a 19-0 record, then came out of retirement when the money was too great to pass up to fight Jack Johnson, who pulverized him.

[@jedcampett7328]

@@michaelbarnhart2593 Jeffries was grossly out of condition for that ridiculous fight and never should have stepped into the fucking ring. Johnson admitted that Jeffries was the greatest fighter of his time...but laughed at Jeffries who looked like a stupid slob when he stepped into the ring for that backwards bout! I would have liked to see what Jeffries would have done to Johnson in his prime! Dont misunderstood me I mean Johnson was a great fighter...but no match for Big Jim in his prime!

[@jedcampett7328]

@Eder Nofre It seems that you know your fighters. What you say is correct. Jeffries was bigger, stronger and faster than Marciano. So, how do you call it? Jeffries by knockout or decision? What round? Thanks

[@jedcampett7328]

@Eder Nofre I think that sounds reasonable. Jeffries was a skilled fighter, unlike Marciano who was a bull and a brawler. Marciano would have tired hard hitting Jeffries on his arms, but Jeffries possessed the strongest body than any heavyweight figher, fully developed. Jeffries by knockout in a 15 round bout, your prediction is about right

[@jedcampett7328]

@Eder Nofre I think your argument is valid really. If I voted for the top heavyweight ever..it would be Jeffries. But you know, people have their own opinion...I'm talking about fight fans. I think people have to look at the facts to determine who is the best. I was just a bit too hasty about my opinion of Marciano's style. Yes, he was a clever fighter who never took his eye off his opponents and always looked for an opening like he did when he knocked out Walcott in the 13rd round and won the heavyweight title. In the rematch you know Marciano knocked out Walcott in the first round. Walcott was not happy about that haha. Hey, it's good to know that somebody like yourself knows about these things

[@thespy7795]

This is my Great Grandfather...and I'm Black!!

[@easyriderrider4580]

Your grandfather was a Great Man, Jim Jeffries... As was Jack Johnson and Sam Langford, etc... God bless them ALL in Heaven, my friend... 😊☺️😊😎😎😎👆👆👍👍👍👍🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷

[@Deadman1000]

I mean honestly this man was able to get in the ring with Johnson and give him a few good punches himself. His type of fighting spirit should never be forgotten. Also I love your PFP man Arriba Nuevo Mexico!

[@ishatype2764]

That's true, Jeffries tried but he was doomed to lose. 6 years off, no tune up fights, lost 100 pounds - his doctor told him he was going to die because of all the weight loss - then he fights a prime Johnson. No chance.

[@Deadman1000]

@@ishatype2764 I think even Johnson knew that and did they fight outside as well?

[@ishatype2764]

@@Deadman1000 Yes, you are correct, they fought in Nevada in July and it was over 100 degrees Fahrenheit! Johnson said before the fight that “Jeff is too old and cannot get into condition to fight anybody. He’s all in, and nobody knows it better than himself. He can never get into his former good trim.”

[@joe56984]

Thanks man! And yeah Jeff was an inspiration to be able to regain his fighting weight. He lost over 100lbs. It was too big a task for anyone to overcome but he gave it a go and made a ton of $$$ in the process.

[@natturner806]

You bean eating midgets never had a single Mexican heavyweight champion lmao

[@homehope4842]

It’s a shame , he mentioned all the fighters Johnson beat ( including himself but no mention).

[@VinayakPande53]

No mention of Jack Johnson, unsurprisingly.

[@muder0989]

Omg he really did have a Ohio accent 😳

[@michaelcollins237]

A class act and he is Number One All time!

[@ftsjr]

After his loss to Jack Johnson, Jeffries allegedly said, "I couldn't beat Johnson on my BEST day."

[@EzraStyles-b6n]

he was being gracious .....no one and I mean no one would have beaten Jefferies in his prime..

[@Kaddywompous]

@@EzraStyles-b6nHe was being honest. He also said, “I would never have been able to get to him”. Why would he lie about that?

[@EzraStyles-b6n]

@@Kaddywompous Jim was a gracious guy and was being courteous....Have you seen clips of him in his prime along with photos....sorry but I dont think any fighter of his time would have beaten him.

[@Kaddywompous]

@@EzraStyles-b6n I saw video of him against Johnson looking like a mountain of sculpted muscle…and getting thoroughly outclassed. I saw him hopelessly frustrated and confused by a defense he couldn’t get through “on his best day”. He was just telling the truth, and over 100 years later, there are still people who can’t accept it.

[@EzraStyles-b6n]

@@Kaddywompous Think what you like, but Johnson was never beating a 28 year old jim jeffries....

[@Section5_CdnIntelService]

Did he spit when asked about Johnson?

[@lefonzopollock4345]

Didn't he say that in his prime or his best, he could not have beaten Jack Johnson? But here in this interview, he doesn't even Mr Johnson... interesting.

[@RichardCarsten-j5j]

This is awesome

[@vincentfisher1603]

Spooky but we'll all end up like this. Ghost speaking from the grave.

[@easyriderrider4580]

So Beautiful though... In its own way... He sounds Just Like, what I always imagined Jeffries sounded and acted like, too. God bless Jeffries, the Greatest!! 😊☺️😊😎😎😎😎😎👆👆👍👍👍🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷

[@helgar791]

It's a shame today's heavyweights can't get in the ring against 165 (Fitzsimmons) and 178 (Corbett) pound fighters.

[@joe56984]

Yeah it’s crazy to think Jack Johnson lost to guys who would be middleweights today.

[@AndrewWilliams-kw6bc]

Dumb comment, you only beat who's around at the time ? You could say the same about all the champs Jeff was a giant in those days

[@ronniecozzi8385]

What year was this?

[@cmwashington7458]

I notice that Jim Jeffries didn't mentioned Jack Johnson. HMMMMMM.........I wonder why.

[@ishatype2764]

And Jack Johnson never mentioned Willard. HMMMMMMM... I wonder why.

[@leroygardner2034]

@@ishatype2764 Nope. Jeffrey got his ASS STOMPED!! End of STORY!

[@ishatype2764]

@@leroygardner2034 And Johnson was KTFO by Willard, who most experts say was a very mediocre heavyweight. I can hear Howard Cosell if he was there - Down goes Johnson! Down goes Johnson! Down goes Johnson! End of story!

[@leroygardner2034]

@@ishatype2764 Damn it must feel just great defending a known RACIST. As they say it takes one to KNOW ONE!! His COWARD ASS dodged jack for five years but they praise this rabbit. Not surprised given his color. One thing we all know is this. When he couldn't run anymore Jack Johnson kicked his ASS like he stole some candy. Put that in your damn pipe and smoke it. Laugh 😅 at THAT!!

[@TheBatugan77]

@@leroygardner2034 Johnson got jacked by Jess.

[@gopherstate777]

When Jim Jeffries was asked if he would have won in his youth, Jeffries said this: "I could never have whipped Jack Johnson at my best". I don't think he was a racist. Jim was proud of his heritage as all men were at that time and as everyman thinks the same today.

[@jahno7154]

Jeff was a coward even little Tommy Burns gave Jack Johnson a chance, and how do you know he wasn't a racist he allowed James Corbet in his corner to hail out racist abuse to jack Johnson

[@jedcampett7328]

Don't believe that lie... Jeffries never said that he couldn't ever beat Jack Johnson! Jeffries beat all the best fighters of his time... that includes Bob Fitzsimmons, Tom Sharkey and Jim Corbett who in fact Jeffries knocked out in two championship fights! Remember that Corbett beat John L. Sullivan who never lost a fight until then...So what does that say? It's says that Jeffries was the greatest fighter ever!

[@SuperAram111]

jeffries was a great fighter a real he man in a era of he men....johnson had a chance to fight him but he lost a elimination bout to marvin hart something woke ken burns forgot to mention..............out six years he lost to johnson but it means no more than ali losing to holmes and berbick and joe louis getting koed unconscious by rocky marciano. everyone has their day and everyone gets old..............78 he looks pretty good and strong and compared to ali frazier and the rest of the guys who fought ali except a few he seems in strong company. willard langford johnson dempsey sharkey schmeling wills etc all lived long strong lives

[@joe56984]

Jeffries definitely has good genes, as the average life expectancy of a man born in 1875 was around 50, and he lived well into his 70’s.

[@ishatype2764]

You're spot on. Jeffries was a big, strong man even into his 70's. 6'2" and 220 pounds in shape? That's big even by today's standards. Jeffries in his prime versus Johnson in his prime would have been a great fight. Because of Johnson's place in history he is often portrayed as the best heavyweight ever. He's not even close. His claim to fame was pushing smaller men around and holding and upper cutting. He was a physical specimen in his prime, no doubt. But look at videos of him in his 60's. My god, he turned into a munchkin with a gigantic head and shriveled body. Jeffries at the age in this video looks like he could throw Johnson at this age through a wall.

[@mider-spanman5577]

You also forgot to mention that Jack Johnson was robbed in that fight and it should have been declared a draw at the least.

[@mider-spanman5577]

@@ishatype2764 man it seems you really had a thing for throwing shade Jack Johnson's way lol. He could still outmaneuver Jeffries even at that age if you watch the exhibition match between him and the great Joe Jennette.

[@ishatype2764]

@@mider-spanman5577 I guess we'll never know about that. But seriously, what happened to Johnson? He was a physical specimen and we all get older but what the hell happened to his head? Joe Jennette was indeed a great fighter, and he looked great well into his 60's.

[@beatlejim64]

He died in 1953

[@whitneywilliams317]

Seems he had a problem reading the cards😂. Poor Jim.

[@michaelthompson6452]

Its almost time for the fight of the century anniversary 7-4-1910. Big Jim Jeffrey and Jack Johnson . Jim should have never taken that fight. To much ring rust. 5yrs out of the ring. He's still considered one of the best of his time. Big Jim!

[@honestperson6280]

Michael Thompson In my opinion, The Fight of the Century was on June 22, 1938 between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling!

[@kentamitchell]

@@michaelthompson6452 When you are 35 years old and haven't been in the ring for 5 years it is time to fight another way to make a living.

[@vestibulate]

@@kentamitchell Tex Rickard offered Jeffries too much money. He didn't want to return to the ring, but the fortune guaranteed to him, win or lose, meant that he and his wife would never have to worry about the future again. He had to have known, as an experienced ex-champion, that he had virtually no chance against a fit, active, well-conditioned Jack Johnson.

[@druzo5198]

Jim Jeffrey always had the chance to fight Johnson in his prime but dodged him because of his skin color and went into retirement instead. Great and talented boxer but even he admitted he most likely could not take him on in his prime.

[@toddnineeightseven9595]

Was most likely about how much $$ Jeffries was offered. Probably nearly a record amount at the time. Johnson took his time to talk trash and make a Bold political statement for about 15 reds. As he had America’s, well White America’s most highly regarded Champion. If Jeff had been any theat at all. It would have been a more heated and faster paced battle. Johnson would have stopped him sooner, in a better “Fight of The Century”. And although Johnson himself often experienced racial bias he was Not known to be a hater. And he took The Worlds Stage and toyed with now washed up Jeffries and made a statement and let him and America down easy after 15 reds. Mostly “outta respect”, I believe. Because,... He Could. And so, Did✌️😎

[@keith3970]

And now......let's hear from the experts.

[@leehartung2814]

He was just a big guy that over powered his Aponte's. He out lasted them. Nothing wrong with that, but when he met someone (Johnson), who had real power and a defense to boot, he got destroyed. Also, he was 35 year old out of shape fighter who was rusty, and had just lost about 100 pounds to fight. He should have stayed retired.

[@ishatype2764]

Same can be said of Johnson. When he finally fought a bigger man like Willard, who had a longer reach and great stamina, Johnson had zero answer, was completely neutralized and got his noggin thumped by a guy who many think was a mediocre boxer. Johnson's claim to fame was to hold a guy and uppercut him. Willard wouldn't let him. One trick pony.

[@leehartung2814]

@@ishatype2764 Well? I don't know ? Johnson was 37 at the time of the fight, was ahead on all cards well into the fight. If it had been a 15 round fight, he would have won. There is a good possibility that he was set up to lose, and also he wanted to come back to America after the stupid MAN act that was put into law just to get him for being with white woman. Who knows?

[@ishatype2764]

@@leehartung2814 I understand Johnson being ahead on all cards after 15, and even 20 rounds, that's all true. But there's too many "ifs" in your answer. Willard's camp knew it was a 45 round fight so they fought with that in mind. They had studied how Johnson fought Jeffries. They saw Jeffries' mistakes - saw that Jeffries was quickly exhausted and could not defend against Johnson's rushes and uppercuts, that Jeffries essentially sat down after 15 rounds, something he would never had done in his prime. So Willard trained for a very defensive and long fight with Johnson. Did you see Willard after he knocked out Johnson? He simply walked out of the ring like he was fresh as a daisy. Johnson threw everything he had at Willard - like he did to an exhausted and ring rusty Jeffries - and failed miserably because Willard fought the perfect fight to beat Johnson. He held him off, avoided his rushes, waited for him to tire, then popped him in the head. When a 6'5" 250 pound fighter hits you with a perfect straight right, down you go. That day, Willard had Johnson's number. There's really nothing more to it than that.

[@ancientarchie1463]

That over-powered his what?!

[@ancientarchie1463]

@@ishatype2764 He took a dive with Willard and shaded his eyes from the sun so he could come to the U.S. C'mon man...

[@bobbytheblade2550]

And of course, no mention of JJ...lol

[@TheBatugan77]

Jefferies faced Fitz during his prime. Jefferies faced Johnson after six years of retirement. Remember how Ali looked when he faced Holmes and Berbick? Frazier against Jumbo Cummings?

[@AndrewWilliams-kw6bc]

😎💯

[@kingalexander2704]

A great fighter who retired as champion after defending his title 7 times. It is unfortunate that history only focuses on his mistake of allowing them to lure him out of retirement to face Jack Johnson. Were it not for that ill-advised comeback Jeffries would be deemed one of the great champions of all time.

[@fabriciodossantos55]

OR IT WAS GREEDY RACIST. YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE.😁

[@leroygardner2034]

RIGHT!!He wanted to save the world from letting another human being receiving the same opportunity given to him. Karma stepped in and kicked his ASS!!

[@ishatype2764]

@@leroygardner2034 And big Jess kicked Johnson's ass. Let's hear your excuses.

[@leroygardner2034]

@@ishatype2764 Read history!! Jack threw the fight and everyone including YOU should know that. Brag about all of the great black boxers who had to fight each other because the white boxers dodged them COWARDS!!

[@TheBatugan77]

@@leroygardner2034 Horseshit. Jess knocked his ass OUT! 🗣️POW!🤛

[@John-vn1tv]

Jefferies is definitely in the top ten along with John l Sullivan aka the Boston strong boy!🥊

[@vitososa2743]

That's the same voice as manly p hall lol

[@fitz3137]

His body is really shrunken and his thought process impaired

[@joe56984]

Fitz I would say considering the average life expectancy of someone born in 1875 was less than 40, he was probably in his 70’s here, so he was really an old timer for that era.

[@fitz3137]

@@joe56984 I think you're right. He lived to be 78 (in '53) and this would have been between end of WW2 and his death.

[@toddnineeightseven9595]

Funny, He mentions Corbett & Fitzsimmons. Two former Champs, he defeated. He couldn’t ofcourse mention the Only man who handed him a sound beating. This probably taped in 1930’s. He looks about 50ish? Up to about Joe Louis ‘39 or ‘40. The Great Jack Johnson was likely best of the Hvy Wt Champions ever to hold the belt.Papa Jack also Stopped Fitz In 3 reds. Jack Johnson said Bob Fitzsimmons punches, “sounded like a swarm of bees”, whistling past his ear whenever he ducked or slipped ‘em. I can’t think of many Hvy Wt Champs Jeffries would have defeated after 1940. If any?…

[@joe56984]

Todd Nineeightseven The big difference of course is that Jeffries was retired for almost 6 years and was completely out of shape prior to the Johnson match. He was a shell of his former self. We will never know what would have happened with a prime Jeffries against a prime Johnson. For example, Mike Tyson lost to Kevin McBride and Danny Williams to end his career. He would have soundly defeated those opponents earlier in his career. A common opponent, Joe Choynski knocked out Jack Johnson while fighting Jeffries to a draw. Choynski was around 170 lbs and still beat Johnson and gave Jeffries a tough fight. Jeff was 6’2” and weighed around 225lbs, not huge by today’s heavyweight standards, but not tiny either. With modern training techniques who knows what he could have done. He was considered a tremendous all around athlete and by his peers he was considered a legend.

[@toddnineeightseven9595]

Yeah, I believe if Jeffries thought he could beat Jack Johnson, he would have met at least one of Johnson’s challenges before he retired. & In a ring. Anyone was wise not to fight someone, or Jeffries in a Cellar, as he, Jeffries (nice fella?) proposed. And Jack Johnson learned much from the more experienced former Lt Hvy Wt Champion Joe Choynski as they past their time in jail for violating a state law agains boxing. If Jeffries had been more of a threat, I do believe Jack Johnson would have fought with more urgency, and would have stopped Jeffries in a better & faster paced battle. And don’t believe Jeffries woulda beat Dempsey either. Willard, he probably would win against, most day’s anyway. Can’t know for absolutely for sure. But we can study tapes and make somewhat educated if not mathematical guess, right? The Sport Did progress with advantage of video footage, and up dated equipment and training techniques✌️😎

[@toddnineeightseven9595]

joe56984 And Tyson blew out his left knee aka his plant leg, during his fight against Danny Williams. Possibly a permanent knee issue that may forever(?) hinder his powerfull left hook. I think was an issue against. Tyson was slipping by then. I do believe he would have defeated McBride, maybe Williams(?) too by then. And the knee Now??? Well, Roy Jones also had hard ending when ya think bout it…?

[@bryanpayne3793]

@@toddnineeightseven9595 it wasn't so much Jeffries not wanting to fight Johnson while he was in his prime it was more likely his manager probably figured there was no money in it especially back then they figured the people that came to boxing matches didn't want to say a black fight for the championship against a white champion.

[@scaramouche8244]

@@bryanpayne3793 Bullshit. Look into it Jeffries fought and beat the fighters who beat Johnson. Johnson only fought fighters he knew he could beat as champ.Jimfought them all

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

I reckon he could have beaten a prime Johnson. Johnson would be winning but I think Jeffries would have worn him down an eventually knock him out.

[@jahno7154]

Utter rubbish Jeffries admitted after the beating he took, he would never have beaten Jack even at my best he was too hard to hit.

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

@@jahno7154 Instead of dismissing other people's opinions like an ill-mannered pig when don't you look at the facts rather than opinions? If Ketchel, a middleweight, was able to hit Johnson and knock him down then Jeffries definitely could. Now go away and learn some manners.

[@TheBatugan77]

@@jahno7154 Jeff was not of his right mind. He'd have smacked the shit out of Johnson. Knocked him into the third row.

[@TheBatugan77]

​@@jahno7154 You got poo-pooed by ppuh, jahno! Heh heh heh!

[@jahno7154]

@@TheBatugan77 Heh heh heh How old are you 5 !

[@frankpaya690]

It's like he was cut - off in mid sentence, when he was about to give advice on parenting, what he probably said wouldn't be politically correct by today's standards, were kids don't get in fist fights, they shoot each other.

[@williamcavanagh8982]

I find it strange that he never mentioned Jack Johnson being a great boxer...Johnson of course being rated by many as The Best of all time??? After all Jack was his only defeat. I'm speculating but perhaps it was a generational thing....they did not copliment black folk?

[@josephphoenix1376]

Glad after all his ring wars he wasn't.t punch drunk!🤔

[@mrshaolin3407]

Cazzo che reperti! Bellissimo

[@Lava1964]

One boxing historian wrote that if you take a serious look at Jeffries' record, he beat quite a few big-name fighters from his era--but they were all at least a little bit on the downside of their careers. I have to agree.

[@joe56984]

Interesting. I know Jack Johnson spoke very highly of Jim Jeffries. He even said he thought Jeff would beat Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis. Also Nat Fleischer always rated him as one of the greats. Most of his contemporaries did as well.

[@NSLENT]

JACK JOHNSON

[@mr.roberto1898]

What?

[@Respect12948]

Horrible man but good fighter for his time only one loss came by jack johnson and he had to lose that fight because jack needed to win

[@joe56984]

I get that there is a popular notion out there that Jim Jeffries was a racist and a bigoted man, but his actual views are far more nuanced and less inflammatory than most people know. He had a series of essays published in the 1930's that indicate he was actually far ahead of his time in terms of views on race and such. It's hard for any of us to put ourselves in the shoes of someone who was born 150 years ago, but if you do so, I think you will judge Mr. Jeffries much more kindly.

[@afranks8566]

He was like the Brock Lesnar of that time. Not the nicest person in the world (like Brock) but a helluva an athlete, and he found ways to win.

[@stanleygrayson3186]

You couldn't wait 1 more minute before you spit that Red man out on camera.

[@joe56984]

🤣😂

[@FlyBoulJor]

johnson put this boy ina body bag lmaoo

[@ishatype2764]

Hopefully there was enough room in that bag for Johnson when Willard put a knot on his big bald head and put him down for the count.

[@bassreeves2410]

"the great white hope,beaten. betrayer of his race"

[@kabohakevin4103]

Feel free to take up that mantle and challenge any black champion of your weight class sir.😂😂

[@viking670]

@@kabohakevin4103 Well it just so happens that the Russians are kicking ass in boxing and guess what, they're lilly white!

[@kabohakevin4103]

@@viking670 it's actually great that there are some white champions. It would be boring if there weren't. I mean with the majority in MMA and boxing being Black.

[@leroygardner2034]

@@viking670 That might be true. But this racist got his ASS DOG WALKED by Jack Johnson. Talk about that.

[@TheBatugan77]

You're a badass, bass!

[@tadgerdavidson5377]

It's about time people harrnanging Jeff for wot he did and didnt do, he was of an age, as was Jack Johnson who BTW refused to fight a black man when he won the title. Point is we live in a different age, nobody knows what wouldve happened had they fought in 040506...my money is on Jeff

[@joe56984]

Well said, some people think anyone born more than 5 minutes ago are just awful people.

[@losteremmanuelsadiki1515]

According to my opinion Jack Johnson is the real first world heavyweight champion of the world, not of a specific race but for the whole world, all human races involved, the moment that happens Jeffreys lost by knockout,

[@mr.roberto1898]

What about tommy burns,he had bouts around the world!

[@losteremmanuelsadiki1515]

Burns was the greatest champ, he gave Johnson short at the title and he believed that he can only become champ by fighting anyone irrespective of their race

[@Hyperborean-fz9vt]

That’s hilarious. He ducked top black heavyweights and drew the color line.

[@jerrylanglois7892]

He got what he deserved, making those racist comments about johnson...and that's why johnson waited until the 15th round to knock him out, to teach him a hard lesson.

[@bryanpayne3793]

If u say so

[@pianoblack5885]

Why doesn't he mention Jack Johnson????????????? The man who beat the breaks off of him 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@joe56984]

Perhaps because Jeff was far, far from his best when Jack beat him. He was retired for 6 years and had to lose over 100lbs, his strength was sapped, his reflexes shot, so maybe he doesn’t think a guy who beat him in that condition was all that great. Keep in mind that Jack got BTFOD by a guy who was 165lbs.

[@pianoblack5885]

@@joe56984 You should keep in mind that the fight you are referring was said to be a fixed fight and the 168 pounder hit Jack while Jack was taking it easy on him. Then Jacked knocked the guys teeth out of his mouth. Jefferies ducked Jack and it's Jeffries own fault for what happened to him. Jefferies said and I qoute, "I couldn't have beat Jack Johnson at my best. I wouldn't have reached him in 1000 years." That is said in the Unforgivable Blackness documentary. Not to mention, it's 2024, there isn't one white American boxer in all of boxing who is at the top of any division. Why do you think that is????? Your group has been thoroughly exposed and was protected in Jeffries day. . Now you keep this in your mind...how many other black boxers from Gavelston, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, etc could have beaten Jeffries if given a fair chance? Now, that it's fair, your group has been completely eliminated from serious discussion... There isn't one American boxing champion who looks like Jefferies in any division...

[@pianoblack5885]

@@joe56984 "I couldn't have beaten Johnson at my best. I wouldn't have touched him in 1000 years." This was in the Unforgivable Blackness Documentary. Jeffries was given a far harder test against the 167 pound Fitzsimmons in their first fight which was not a fix like the one you are referring to with Johnson. There isn't one American champion who looks like Jeffries today. That demographic has been thoroughly exposed.

[@pianoblack5885]

You made it so I can't respond...

[@joe56984]

@@pianoblack5885 LMAO even Johnson said he couldn’t have beaten Choyinski, but keep a certain narrative in mind. It’s clear you are driven by female emotion. Not logic. I’m not surprised by that. And white men dominate heavyweight boxing currently. But it shouldn't matter, boxing is much more a global sport today.

[@fransiscoscaramanga674]

this is the so called superb fighting machine, a physical specimen, the greatest fighting machine to ever lace up a pair of gloves? an then he refers to 165lbs bob fitzsimmons and 185lbs james corbett his toughest opponents? i think he's punch drunk when this video was made.....

[@fransiscoscaramanga674]

@Bustopher McCumbus what kind of stupid name is bustopher..? you should add stupider at the end..........bustopher-stupidor. there you go...

[@fransiscoscaramanga674]

hey buster.........how's your hemorrhoidal ass?

[@TheBatugan77]

Franny. Sounds like a granny.

[@TheBatugan77]

Amazing how Jefferies gets roasted for avoiding Johnson, drawing the color line, and then losing to him as an old guy. Somehow, Johnson gets a pass for doing the exact same thing.