After Greb defeated Gibbons in 1922, he called out Carpentier and Dempsey. Lets just assume Dempsey gives him a title shot, how would it go in a 15 rounder? Greb isn't in his prime in '22 (his eye was already damaged, if im not mistaken), but still too good for arguably anyone in that time period, and Dempsey would be in his prime for this bout. He would take Greb seriously, because they already sparred, and would probably come in the best shape possible. Imo Greb, even tho past his best, wins by UD. His pressure on his opponents, throwing punches from all angles, while staying elusive, would cause Dempsey problems and I think it would be too much for him to handle. Dempsey has a 25-30lbs weight advantage and he could smother Greb in the clinches and ofcourse there is the scenario that he catches Greb and KO's him, but I think Greb would find a way to overcome those advantages. On top of that, Greb had an iron chin, only KO'ed once as a 19 year old kid. What do you guys think who would win? And how would a win change the legacy of both man? Would Greb surpass Robinson, and be regarded as the Greatest P4P Boxer of all time? How would Dempsey's Ranking as an ATG change with a Win against Greb?
Greb is generally held to be one-eyed at this point, yeah. Over fifteen with one-eye, I pick Dempsey. I don't personally believe he was ever more than 50.50 over 15 and I would never pick him against Dempsey over that distance. 10 rounds, I'd make Greb a slight favourite up until the first Norfolk fight.
I think Dempsey would have largely instigated a body attack against the elusive Greb and eventually wear Harry down and stop him.
IMHO, Greb has very little chance against Dempsey in 1922. I'd predict a mid round stoppage for Dempsey (A 7th or 8th round TKO is very probable.) I don't put much weight into old sparring stories. (There are various forms of sparring, for various reasons, and the stories are even worse to draw conclusions from).
Let's have a prime vs. prime argument. Also was not Greb a max of 165, & prime Dempsey 187? Give them day before weigh ins, make Dempsey a LHW & Greb might have made WW, certainly SMW. Let's have a thread about how they would do given neutral rules against those their same in ring size. In other words, FAIR.
Yes I had second thoughts after I wrote that thanks. He was over 170 vs. Loughran. But it paid for him to gain weight vs. the bigger men-he also told Tunney he had "outgrown" him. I wonder if with minimal dieting & mainly day before weigh ins, he might be at around his very best, & possibly the GOAT ever, at WW/147 max. And with day before weigh ins, SRR might easily be the GOAT at 130 or 135.
