James J. Jeffries
| James J. Jeffries | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | James Jackson Jeffries |
| Nickname(s) | The Boilermaker |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 1 1⁄2 in (187 cm) |
| Reach | 76 1⁄2 in (194 cm) |
| Nationality | United States |
| Born |
April 15, 1875 Carroll, Ohio, US |
| Died | March 3, 1953 (aged 77) Burbank, California, US |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 23 |
| Wins | 19 |
| Wins by KO | 14 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 1 |
James Jackson Jeffries (April 15, 1875 – March 3, 1953) was an American professional boxer and former World Heavyweight Champion.
He was known for his enormous strength and stamina. Using a technique taught to him by his trainer, former Welterweight and Middleweight Champion Tommy Ryan, Jeffries fought out of a crouch with his left arm extended forward. He was able to absorb tremendous punishment while wearing his opponents down. A natural left-hander, he possessed one-punch knockout power in his left hook, and brawled his way to the top of the rankings.
Jeffries stood 6 ft 1 1⁄2 in (1.87 m) tall and weighed 225 pounds (102 kg) in his prime. He could run 100 yards (91 m) in just over ten seconds, and could high jump over 6 feet (180 cm).
In 1891, Jeffries' father moved his family from their Ohio farm to Los Angeles, California. James worked for a while as a boilermaker before going into boxing. In later life, "The Boilermaker" was one of his professional nicknames.
As a powerfully built and athletic teenager, Jeffries boxed as an amateur until age 20, when he started fighting professionally.
In his third fight, Jeffries knocked out the highly regarded black boxer Hank Griffin in the fourteenth round. Jack Johnson had fought Griffin on three separate occasions.
Jeffries fought the top heavyweight contender, Gus Ruhlin, to a draw. Ruhlin was knocked down with a brutal punch at the end of the final round and was saved by the bell from being counted out. The decision was met with unfavorable reactions from the audience, many of whom felt Jeffries won.
On his way to the title in 1898, Jeffries knocked out Peter Jackson, the great black boxer whom John L. Sullivan had refused to fight, in three rounds. This had been only the second defeat in Jackson's entire career; his first loss was from a four round fight over thirteen years earlier around the beginning of his career. Jackson retired shortly afterward.
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