How does Dempsey do vs heavyweights post 1970-present

Basically yes.

He was the single best heavyweight in history, at overcoming a size disparity.

He might be the only 185lb fighter that I would give a good chance against them!

 

Oh, I'd have to think about that. Dempsey would need a stoppage over the best

 

Q. How many times was Dempsey 185lbs for a title defence or challenge ?

A.Once against Billy Miske.

 

How many times was Dempsey over 200 pounds for a title defense? Zero correct?

Dempsey had a smaller lower body with 22' thighs, and a linear type of build. He looked like a heavyweight from the upper back / shoulder ups, that's it.

Speed was one of his biggest assets, and since he wasn't long on stamina, adding 20 pounds weight to move him from 190 to 210 would likely be a bad thing for him.

When I look at Dempsey on film, I'm sold on his power, and speed. On the downside he looks too easy to hit, and since his chin wasn't that good he's going to have a problem with the bigger punchers with skills.

The bigger opponents Dempsey beat lacked defense....all of them, and some of them were on the chinny side.

I can't see him beating Wlad, Vitali, Lewis or Bowe, though he had his puncher's chance.

I also can't see him out boxing Holmes, or Ali, and both were extremely durable fighters.

Bottom line: His best match ups are vs the shorter fighters who lack power, or the slower fighters who aren't very durable and defensive.

 

Yup he had a smaller lower body holding up a lithe back and chest with 16.5 inch biceps. He weighed192.5lbs for 2 defences. Skinny legs ,remind you of any current heavyweight?

I dont know he had stamina problems he was there after 15rds with Gibbons he didnt often have to prove his stamina.Like wise I dont think there was much wrong with his chin.Tunney said he was hard to catch clean on the chin as it was buried in to his shoulder.Walcott said the same thing about Rocky.

I commend you on your objective appraisal here Suze!

 

Dempsey was a brilliant puncher and finisher and I give him a chance on that basis against most of the heavyweights since the 70s.

But I have to wonder how much the neutral corner rule would have affected him, particularly against the very big men. Would he have been able to make those guys stay hurt and keep them down if managed to floor any of them?

I think guys like Ali and Holmes would have been a bit too slick for him - Dempsey was pretty crude stylistically. He might give them trouble early as they figured his style out but I see them outboxing him, similar to the way Tunney did. And Lewis would just be too big and too slick.

But I'd love to see Dempsey v Holyfield and Dempsey v Frazier. Both of those would have been brutal slugfests!

I think Dempsey would have a serious chance against Marciano (not 1970s I know) and I'd be fascinated to see how he fared against a short heavyweight like Tyson. I think he might surprise people.

 

It was my post, but thanks anyway. I disagree a bit Tunney had little issues finding Dempsey, the same can be said for Sharkey and to a lesser degree Carpenter in round one before he hurt his hand, and Firpo when he landed.

Dempsey's tale of the tape biceps for Tunney was 15". Tale of the tapes can vary, I have not seen a 16.5" bicep for Dempsey. If you have that source, you can show it here.

 

I'd say his peak fights would be his championship defences.
Miske 185
Brennan188.25
Carpentier188
Gibbons 188
Firpo 192.5
Tunney 190
Not much to quibble about, just the use of the lowest weight we have for Dempsey when he was a top level fighter
I think If I had referred to Marciano as184lbs I would be pulled up on it.lol

 

I think that's debatable. Holyfeild and Fitz have to be up there too.

 

You can claim they would have, but they didn't.