Who Do You Rate Higher: Jack Dempsey or Jack Johnson ??

[psychoshane]

They were different types of fighters. Johnson was a master boxer, Dempsey was a slugger. Personally i think Johnson would beat Dempsey.

[Vic-JofreBRASIL]

bump

[SuzieQ49]

Jack Dempsey ducked the best black fighters of his generation. Jack Johnson may have ducked them when he became champion, but at least he fought them and beat them at one point in his career. He has their names on his win resume, Dempsey does not.

[psychoshane]

Dempsey was willing to fight Harry Wills but the racial politics of boxing at the time intervened. And he fought several blacks on his way up.
Intererestingly, Jeffries fought blacks on his way up, knocking out one who had two wins and a draw against a young Johnson, but refused to give Johnson a title shot because he feared being hated for giving a negro a title shot.

[tommygun711]

this isn't even close for me. I think Johnson is the more skilled fighter and has the better resume also.

[psychoshane]

johnson had to overcome a lot more than Dempsey did just to get a title shot. Being black was a major handicap because the unwritten rule said the HW title was off limits to blacks. Dempsey never had to go through the difficulties Johnson did. Therefore, i have to vote for Johnson.

[janitor]

It might be the case that Dempsey would have knocked Johnson out head to head, but we can never know one way or another.

When comparing their resumes, I feel very comfortable giving the edge to Johnson, because he has a lot more depth.

[ETM]

Jack Johnson

any way you measure it.

[KernowWarrior]

Lil Arthur wins hands down in a prime Johnson vs Dempsey bout.

I in fact would hate to witness it as i feel Johnsons defensive skills would embarrass Dempsey, and i do not want to see Dempseys legacy tarnished.

[kmcc505]

I dunno. I usually go with Dempsey here but really you can make a solid case or either. Both tend to be overrated by their proponents at times. Both are clear elite ATGs though.

[kmcc505]

Originally Posted by psychoshane

johnson had to overcome a lot more than Dempsey did just to get a title shot. Being black was a major handicap because the unwritten rule said the HW title was off limits to blacks. Dempsey never had to go through the difficulties Johnson did. Therefore, i have to vote for Johnson.

You should probably read Dempsey's biography. He overcame LOTS.

[Ramon Rojo]

Johnson didn't duck anyone.

[PetethePrince]

Johnson wins the battle of pre-title and longevity. Johnson's title run wasn't inspiring by any standard. Either way, it seems he's getting slightly underrated if he's falling into the near Dempsey status level in terms of greatness. Johnson does not have anywhere near the holes Dempsey has on his record and he beat up men of all colors (Yes, not quite during his title run. It was far less viable than Dempsey-Willis politically).

[ETM]

Johnson not fighting black contenders cant really be held against him. Having two black fighters fighting for the title in America wouldnt have been worth a warm bucket of piss. They couldnt handle the fact that he was champion as it was.

[PetethePrince]

Originally Posted by ETM

Johnson not fighting black contenders cant really be held against him. Having two black fighters fighting for the title in America wouldnt have been worth a warm bucket of piss. They couldnt handle the fact that he was champion as it was.

Exactly. No one can say two blacks fighting for the championship would've been more viable than Dempsey-Willis. There was precedence of the latter. Even Joe Louis gets the occasional criticism for not fighting enough black contenders...