Jack Dempsey's Ranking

I make the claim based on the number of boxing gyms, and the number of boxing shows, both of which seem to have peaked around this time.

Obviously this does not put it beyond doubt, but it implies it to be the case.

 

He might have steered clear of George Godfrey later on, but you could argue that Godfrey didn’t force the issue.

He refused to take part in additional title eliminators after the Firpo fight, quite reasonably in my opinion.

I guess that is the case such as it is.

 

Miske, Gibbons, Tunney even a guy I think the least of Brennan, you would have to say these were the top HW's of the time.

An open contract doesnt mean anything, when you have a deal in place with both fighters signatures now we are talking. Didn't Dempsey have an open contract that he signed to fight Wills?

In 1924 Wills has two recorded fights and they were underwhelming. IMO, Miske, Gibbons and Tunney would have beaten Wills. The reason is he was slow, he was a grab and hold fighter, was known to be dirty, and open to everything.

Most people then and now feel, Harry Greb would have been too fast for Wills, the same could be said of Dempsey. The only difference between Dempsey and Wills was Dempsey was the quicker of the two.

 

Arcel is probably the greatest boxing trainer ever. His opinion holds far more credibility that anyone on these boards or anyone currently in the boxing game today. He saw them all not on grainy film but live and in person. An educated opinion (Arcel) is much higher valued than an uneducated opinion (you). Quite obviously.

 

I am going on the assertions of contemporaries, and modern historians, and I admit it is not rocket science.

You would be on pretty safe ground however, saying that the number of boxing gyms and shows in inner city areas, was greatest before World War II, and declined steadily in the post war era.

It would also be reasonable to infer that the depression would have forced more men into boxing, as conventional employment became less available.

 

Read a bio on him, and I wouldn't say that at all. I think he has great insight into the sport and the psychology of boxing. He always valued thinking in the ring.

 

Arcel is pretty much considered the greatest boxing trainer ever. At least top three. How many trainers trained the legends he worked with year after year? How many watched Dempsey, Tunney, Louis, Charles, Marciano, Ali, Holmes all live from ringside? Not only in actual bouts but in training, interacting with them and understanding what makes them tick. Not just anyone but a technical boxing expert. Now thats just hwt champions. Add to this the lighter weights that included the likes of Zale, Leonard......it's a who's who of all time great fighters. Older timers right up to modern. To degrade this level of resume reveals complete ineptitude.

 

I am going to play devil’s advocate here.

What if he is just saying it like it is?

 

I think it's irritating that every time Arcel's name is mentioned, Benny Leonard is listed among the boxers he trained. Arcel simply did some conditioning and corner work for him, he didn't teach or improve Leonard in anything. Leonard already knew more than Arcel had in his head at the time.

 

Instead of degrading the mans comments one should understand that Arcel thought very carefully before opening his mouth. He was not one to exaggerate. As those on here who really know the sport understand...Dempsey was something very special.

 

Leonard was a fat welterweight when Arcel worked with him.

 

http://fightfilmcollector.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/the-trouble-with-harry-harry-wills-vs.html