Black Hist Boxing:Should John L Sullivan's greatness be questioned if he didnt really fight the best opponents?

What made Sullivan great was that he popularize the sport and gave boxing its recognition at a time when the sport was illegal in most states. The fact that Sullivan never fought Frank P. Slavin and Peter Jackson raises questions regarding the greatness of John L. Sullivan, The same can be said about James J. Corbett ducking Peter Maher and refusing Jackson a rematch. From September 7 1892 - May 13 1905 the marquee heavyweights fighters were as follows John L. Sullivan, Charlie Mitchell, Joe Choynski, Frank P. Slavin, Peter Jackson, James J. Corbett, Peter Maher, Bob Fitzsimmons, James J. Jeffries, Gus Ruhlin, and Tom Sharkey....just how great were any of these fighters !? p/s in response to joshia Jack Johnson fought Sam Langford in 1915 in Machusetts...nuff said !