1996 Holyfield vs prime Jack Dempsey

Not really a fair fight, since Dempsey was in his prime against Willard while Holyfield in 1996 was already past prime and breaking down as a fighter. Holyfield from 1991-1993 on the other hand against Dempsey would be a 50/50 fight.

 

Holy would get smashed about for sure, but like it or lump it, he would work Demps out, and beat him.

 

Holyfield has really good technical skills but loves a brawl.

Dempsey has pretty good technical skills but really loves a brawl.

Dempsey > Holyfield in a brawl imo.

 

It's interesting that the Willard bout (many consider his finest performance), he was supposodly scared. Compare to the Firpo one where he seemed to think he could just charge in, and he got knocked out of the ring.

Dempsey really seemed to be a fighter who fear made perform better

 

Dempsey scared of Willard? Lol. Don’t believe that for a single second. The only thing that Dempsey could’ve be scared up going into that fight was maybe that someone found that he did have loaded gloves on like so many people suspected after the fight.

 

Love how guys like you spout this BS to try an keep it alive even though it's been disproved over and over again. Just ridiculous lol

 

Nope I don’t believe it either but it’s part of his myth now like Carnera’s fights been fixed, Liston throwing fights and Ali been saved from a knockout by Dundee’s glove cutting cheating. Anyway it’s about as believable as saying that Dempsey was scared of Willard.

 

I got you..went right over my head lol

 

Let me see Jack Dempsey was a slow unskilled tomato can who fought in a era where everybody else was a slow unskilled tomato can. Holyfield fought in the modern era with modern skilled guys and beat them. Holyfield by 1st or second round slaughter.

 

Dempsey, about the same size but Dempsey was faster and harder hitting, would probably be a brawl style fight, favours Dempsey.

Holyfield had a great chin but was on ***** Street several times, Dempsey could finish him imo.

 

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Holyfield steam rolls him after a quick start on both sides. Even when brawling Holy was much more disciplined and a much better combo puncher. Dempsey has nothing close to Holy in his ledger. Holy has loads of heavyhanded guys who would have been monsters in Jack's era. KO4 with Jack going out on his shield.

 

Jesus! Did anyone believe in defence in those days? Look at them both fighting with their hands at waist level. Holyfield was past his best in 96 but still he would have a (holy) field day with Dempsey just walking in with his hands down like that. He wouldn’t be able to miss with Dempsey being such an open target. Going by a film like that, there’s just no way that you can say Dempsey is anywhere near as skilled as fighter as Holyfield.

 

Anytime you put Holyfield against Dempsey Marciano or Frazier you know it’s gonna be a good fight. Love Dempsey’s raw talent and style but his boxing technique would have to adjust to compete w the big guys. He had the speed power and chin to compete but his style leaves himself to open for a solid boxer like Holyfield. Holyfield in a bloodfest