Do you hold it against Jack Dempsey for not fighting Harry Greb?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by SuzieQ49, Apr 21, 2018.


  1. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    I don't for a second buy the high-minded excuses on the match not happening. Since when has boxing ever run on such impulses? Boxing does and always has run on the dollar (or euro). Wills was a high-risk/low-reward contest. That is why the fight did not occur.

    And focusing on Wills' past prime performances and abilities, as his window was closing, is just pure intellectual dishonesty.
     
  2. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Are you saying the shadow of the Jack Johnson reign bore no weight on the situation?
    As for Wills window closing his performances against Madden and Firpo occurred at age 32 and while Dempsey looked poor himself at that age, he was a swarmer, those fighters tend to age faster. I’m not sure how diminished Wills was from his prime in those fights. Without footage or facing top contenders since Fulton it kind of hard to gage his prime form ability.
     
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  3. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Please remind of the era when boxing ran on good intentions over the dollar? It has always been the dirtiest, lowest common denominator business on earth... And Rickard and Kearns were a damn champions of that business.
     
  4. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    I am certain that a Dempsey Wills fight would have been a success from a financial standpoint.

    I think that there was a genuine fear that the figth could cause race riots, and that everybody said "not in my back yard."
     
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  5. louis54

    louis54 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Dempsey threw it and Flynn said so...since when did Dempsey everstumble about the ring ???? And very importantly Dempsey was an attacking fighter !
     
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  6. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Wills was castigated in the papers the day after the fight.
     
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  7. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Were they better when Wills beat them is the question? Langford was blind in one eye after the Fulton fight in1917 How old was Jeannette when Harry fought him?
     
  8. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    I've asked how this typewriter helped him,I haven't got your answer yet.
     
  9. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Wills and McVey were slung out in at least one fight for not trying. 1920 Philadelphia
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2018
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  10. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    And it was a charity affair for which Dempsey was receiving nothing.
     
  11. Boilermaker

    Boilermaker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I kind of asked this in a different thread and it is a question more than anything as i havent formed a view yet. But, how do you think Greb would go in a fight against say Gibbons opposition. ie Would you expect Greb to have the same impressive KO streaks if he fought those guys. I wouldnt have thought so, at first glance, but i am open to pursuasion. Do you want to give it a go?

    Just to be clear, i have never accused you of cherry picking (unless its one of the one in all in Les Darcy threads where all gloves are off). Some times you jump to conclusions a little to easy, misinterpret a lack of evidence for reality and make a few other similar mistakes, but you definitely try to put up fair facts and look at as many reports as possible. I know i dont ever bother looking up the history of the report writer, whether they were at the fight or not, if it was an AAP reporter etc. I mostly rely on others like you who can easily recall that info.

    I dont think anyone is suggesting that he was not a contender, just that he was not the number one contender or the standout challenger. He would have been a decent challenger if he had the backing but one can understand why he didnt. Michael Spinks was a good challenger for Larry Holmes but he wouldnt have been castrated if he didnt fight him. Same goes for Say James toney and Wlad Klitchsko or Roy Jones and Wlad Klithcsko)or was it lennox lewis, i am getting old and cant remember but you get the point.

    Why didnt Greb ever try to fight Wills that would have put him in the box seat? he could have fought say fulton or Willard. That would have give him a real chance. The way i see it, other than Wills, there was no real stand out challenger. Greb was simply one of many. He certainl wasnt the best, Wills was.

    If you are a promoter, and you have 10 fighters to choose from, none of whom are standout challengers (leaving Wills out of things for now), then who do you fight, the guy who you can create an interesting story through kos or some other angle like Firpo, Willard, Miske, Brennan etc or a guy who is just as good maybe better but who no one will give a chance. I know who i would promote.
     
  12. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Can't argue with that.
     
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  13. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Does anyone actually rate Greb above Dempsey as a heavyweight?
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2018
  14. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    They lifted or pushed him back into the ring
     
  15. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    No , nor me,generous of you to say so though.