To my eyes, the footage clearly shows that most of the damage was done while Jess was dazed and half getting up and Jack would swarm all over him. This situation would not happen with the neutral corner rule - at least not nearly to the same effect, IMO
No chance, Dempsey one punch power is overrated and McCall's chin is pure iron, quite possibly the best chin of all time. Jack would have to box conservatively to win, his mobility and dexterity could see him win a decision against the Atomic Bull but he'd have to be careful, McCall is explosive, physically a beast and very very powerful and despite not being the best has wins over the following champions: Lennox Lewis, Old Larry Holmes, Akinwande, Maskeev, Seldon, Damiani and plenty of contender types. This makes him a live body for any heavyweight at his best, especially much smaller men who look to brawl
It is clear from the film, that most of the damage was done to the eye socket by the first left hook that landed. That in itself would have resulted in a rapid TKO today. Even without being able to stand over Willard, Dempsey would only need three knockdowns to get the fight stopped. They just wouldn't let a fighter take that sort of punishment, or that sort of a beating. In all, I doubt that the fight would have lasted as long as it did today, even with the neutral corner rule.
IMO Dempsey had the ability to take out pretty much any heavyweight in history if he lands enough hard shots. He was not just some light punching swarmer, he has a reputation as a brutal puncher for a reason, because he earned it.
Guy you speak with common sense. I don't understand many posters total disregard of history and how great Dempsey's legacy and reputation was before "color television'". They cite the few clips of Dempsey against Tunney after a 3 year layoff, knowing full well that he was not the prime Dempsey of 1919-23...They, to butress their agenda have no respect for the many great boxing people who saw him and raved about him. So Guy it is nice to know that I am not alone in my respect for the reputation of the old Mauler...:good
There are plenty of reports saying he was vastly overrated as well Burt. Do we just fob these off? Imagine sending Tyson back in a time machine and putting him against some of the big gumbies and light heavyweights Dempsey fought. Could you imagine the sheer awe and incredible press Tyson would receive??? Imagine him smacking them while they are getting up. It would be sheer carnage and devastation.
The real sickening damage was done while Willard had his arms on the ropes, back turned to Dempsey, with Jack attacking his ribcage and any areas he could reach. It was an impressively vicious attack, but I don't think Jess would have been in the position for Dempsey to launch that no holds barred assault if he had not been able to immediately swarm Jess as he got up. You are right, the fight would have been stopped nowadays, had Jess been in the same condition. I argue that he wouldn't have been in that condition, as quickly anyway, were it not for Jack being able to pounce on him as soon as he made to get up. Also, why keep bringing up the 3 knockdown rule? Was that not really brought to prominence during the 60s or round about that time? The neutral corner rule was commonplace just a decade after Willard and Dempsey fought.
Seen this doc Burt? Tyson dripping admiration for Dempsey: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPtq7POYQUU&feature=youtube_gdata_player"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPtq7POYQUU&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/ame]
Tac, Mike Tyson loved jack Dempsey, because of a fairly similar kill or be killed attitude. Two peas in a pod, mean and vicious...What a shame Mike tyson didn't have a JACK KEARNS guiding his career,when young Tyson was coming up...WOW...In this clip Tyson shows he was a personal and perceptive young man. Thanks TAC...:good
Part II on Joe Louis: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_VML2f7SaY&feature=youtube_gdata_player"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_VML2f7SaY&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/ame]