What was Jack Dempsey's real reach?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Mendoza, Sep 11, 2020.


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  1. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    If you go on Box Rec, which is only as good as the last person who edits it, it reads 77" which is good for a man 6'1" tall. That's what I went with for years....

    However after reading about some of his fights, and the tale of the tape attached to it, I keep seeing 73" for his reach.

    [url]https://www.mearsonlineauctions.com/1923_jack_dempsey_tommy_gibbons_tale_of_the_tape__-lot51007.aspx[/url]

    The fight with Tunney also reads 73" for Dempsey's reach
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    And wikipedia, who has some boxing historians helping out also says 73"

    [url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Dempsey[/url]

    So which is it 77" or 73" for JD's reach?

    I think we now know.
     
    Mendoza, Sep 11, 2020
    Mendoza, Sep 11, 2020
    #1
  2. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    How many primary sources are there for 73"?
     
    janitor, Sep 11, 2020
    janitor, Sep 11, 2020
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  3. The Morlocks

    The Morlocks Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    His greatness reached all the way into the 21st century to 100 yrs from when he was champion 2020. He is now the CHAMP topic #1 of a boxing forum. Pretty good.
     
    The Morlocks, Sep 11, 2020
    The Morlocks, Sep 11, 2020
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  4. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    See the papers in the tale of the tape. I posted a few links. Quite a few. I believe Box Rec is mistaken.
     
    Mendoza, Sep 11, 2020
    Mendoza, Sep 11, 2020
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  5. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    You posted one link of any significance, namely the postcard.

    This is far from conclusive.
     
    janitor, Sep 11, 2020
    janitor, Sep 11, 2020
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  6. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    How many show 77"? I keep seeing 73".

    There are more. Here's another:

    [url]https://www.thefightcity.com/dempsey-vs-wills-boxing-history-jack-dempsey-harry-wills/[/url]

    One more

    [url]https://www.ebay.com/itm/1920-newspaper-with-Preview-of-JACK-DEMPSEY-vs-GEORGES-CARPENTIER-Boxing-match-/373030632760[/url]
     
    Mendoza, Sep 11, 2020
    Mendoza, Sep 11, 2020
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  7. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    Two people going into the depths of boxing history merely to one up each other.

    They will write poems about this rivalry.
     
    reznick, Sep 11, 2020
    reznick, Sep 11, 2020
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  8. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    The truth is always important, don't you think?
     
    mcvey, Sep 11, 2020
    mcvey, Sep 11, 2020
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  9. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    You have provided a secondary source, and a primary source that puts his reach at 78".

    I am not sure that furthers your cause much!
     
    janitor, Sep 11, 2020
    janitor, Sep 11, 2020
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  10. FrankinDallas

    FrankinDallas FRANKINAUSTIN

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    All I know is he was only a 4 inch fighter...I mean a 4 round fighter.
     
    FrankinDallas, Sep 11, 2020
    FrankinDallas, Sep 11, 2020
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  11. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    According to his Wife, lol.
     
    mcvey, Sep 11, 2020
    mcvey, Sep 11, 2020
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  12. Jackomano

    Jackomano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I’ve seen Dempsey's reach range from 73”-78”, but his reach was most consistently listed between 73”-75”, so the truth most likely is 73” or 74”.
     
    Jackomano, Sep 11, 2020
    Jackomano, Sep 11, 2020
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  13. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I don't care what his wingspan was.. He's f*****g JACK DEMPSEY!
     
    Fergy, Sep 11, 2020
    Fergy, Sep 11, 2020
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  14. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    And like Johnson , Mendoza hates him,and loses no opportuniy to disparage him!
     
    mcvey, Sep 11, 2020
    mcvey, Sep 11, 2020
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  15. SHADAPBLAD

    SHADAPBLAD Viscous Knockouts Full Member

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    I always did think his reach of 77" might have been an exaggeration. He had pretty long arms but they werent that long
     
    SHADAPBLAD, Sep 11, 2020
    SHADAPBLAD, Sep 11, 2020
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