James J. Jeffries

James Jackson Jeffries (April 15, 1875 – March 3, 1953) was an American professional boxer and world heavyweight champion from 1899 until his initial retirement in 1905.

He was known for his enormous strength and stamina. Jeffries fought out of a crouch with his left arm extended forward. He was able to absorb tremendous punishment while wearing his opponents down. It is believed this crouching crab technique was taught to him by his trainer, former welterweight and middleweight Champion Tommy Ryan. Although, Jeffries disputes this saying he developed his crouching style instinctively after taking a left hook to the liver by John Brink.

Jeffries stood 6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m) tall and weighed 225 pounds (102 kg) in his prime. He could run 100 yards (91 m) in just under eleven seconds, and could high jump almost 6 feet (180 cm). A natural left-hander, he possessed one-punch knockout power in his left hook, and brawled his way to the top of the rankings.

Writer Jack London coined the phrase "Great White Hope" to describe Jeffries in his attempt to win the heavyweight crown from African-American world champion Jack Johnson in 1910. Jeffries came out of retirement for the fight, urged on by London and many others who wished to see a white man once again reign as heavyweight champion. Jeffries was beaten by Johnson in what was the first prizefight to be billed as the "Fight of the Century".