Jack Dempsey was the most translatable old timey heavyweight

Frank was WAYYYYY off base with most of his critique. His comment that Dempsey looped most of his punches is complete BS. Dempsey had a great ability to slip and slide bob and weave as he attacked making opponents miss blows. His short arm body attack was as vicious as any fighter in any era. This article I rate as one of the worst analysis I’ve ever read by a supposedly experienced boxing writer. The second was a critique concerning Ali Frazier 3 that reached an incredible high level of absurdity.

 

I have no wish to make a hybrid version of Dempsey ,or any other fighter I just asked what the significance of a small lower body means

 

It seems to me that Ali tied him up constantly .. he certainly had Tony Perez's help in their second fight ..

 

A smaller frame or lower body means you can't carry as much weight properly. Dempsey or some of his fans quote he was under 185 for Willard, and that is his best filmed performance.

 

This has not been proven.

 

You're WAYYYYY off.

That is what the films show. Frank is not just a boxing writer/historian; he was a boxer himself trained by the late George Benton, schooled in the Philly gyms that sparred with some famous people. Technically speaking about what's going on in the ring, he's one of the best around.

I agree Dempsey had a good body attack. He also threw wicked kidney punches, and mixed in low blows, and benefited by the no neutral corner rule.

Take away those parts of his game, which can be viewed on film, and it's going to be harder for him to shine in a modern setting.

 

You might want check your dates Mcvey. Dempsey was not a teenager when his manager wanted no part of Langford. Sugar was a huge Dempsey fan.

Point is he could have fought a past his prime Jeannette but didn't. He chose not to box as scheduled, and refused old Joe as the sub. Can you prove that Jeannette a the time was worse that Demspey's scheduled opponent?

Dempsey didn't fight many black fighters. The only one I can think of is John Lester Johnson, who had a journeyman like record and was 10+ pounds less. John Lester Johnson gave Dempsey a very tough fight. Fan boy Roger Kahn writes: "The consensus of sportswriters gave a big hand to Dempsey's courage and a narrow decision to Johnson. "

I don't think Liston cut off the ring well with his feet either, then again with his long arms it was less of an issue. Let's talk about the subject material of what he said on Dempsey, I don't see much disagreement there from you.

 

I'm not McVey and Dempsey was a teenager when his manager tried to match him with Langford.
Dempsey won the title on July 4th 1919.
In1919 Langford would not have been competitive with Dempsey.
Sam lost to Willie Meehan that year,Wills 3 times,beat Dempsey's sparring partner Bill Tate, twice drew with Jack Thompson and beat 3 debutees. In1918,[ the previous year he was ko'd by Wills twice,beaten by Jeff Clark who floored him , and lost to Fred Fulton who lasted 1,min26 seconds with Dempsey.
Dempsey was 20 years old when he fought Johnson.
Why would he fight Jeannette for nothing when he had turned up to box an exhibiition for charity? Bert Sugar was as big a bull shitter as Houdini! He repeated folk lore tales that have long since been proven to be nonsense.

 

A left hook if thrown correctly is an inside/out punch. Generally not considered a “looping” punch by those who know what they are talking about.

Dempsey had a great defense for the type fighter he was.....highly aggressive puncher. This video tells the tale. Read it and weep:

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Left hooks come in all sorts of guises,the wide outside one that comes from so far out you don't see it coming .Charley White.Leonard
The short rising hook from a pivot with both shoulder and leg power behind .Joe Walcott.Charles & Marciano
The hook brought up from waist level. Jack Dempsey on occasion. Sharkey
The hook off a short jab. Marciano surprisingly[Mathews]

Dempsey threw both looping shots and short, compact thudding hooks with equal dexterity. He could take you out with a punch that only travelled a few inches.

 

Yes i would agree with Seamus that Dempsey with modern perks would go ok. Whether that meant a Holyfield "type" bulk up and success in the open division i don't know - maybe? He certainly had the talent. To be honest tho both Marciano and Dempsey without perks would be great fighters today in whatever division the new guidelines and weight manufacturing found them in.