Jack Dempsey openly stated he would not fight black challengers

Dempsey had at least three sparring partners who were once world colored champions in Tate, Godfrey, and Gains at some time in there careers .

 

After Gene Tunney retired, Dempsey named George Godfrey as the best remaining heavyweight.

 

Wills for sure. He ducked Greb too. And although Godfrey and Norfolk qualify as the were better than some of the guys Dempsey gave title shot too. Godfrey was for sure. An old San Langford didn't get a fight, nor did Jeanette who was standing by as sub for Dempsey's opponent, in the ring ready to go with his trunks. Please tell me Lester Johnson is not the best back fighter he fought. Janitor who is the best black opponent that Dempsey fought in you opinion?

 

I don't care who is the best black opponent that he fought, for the same reason that I don't care who is the best Chinese opponent that he fought.

All I care about, is what claim those fighters had to meet him at the time.

In Wills case it was overwhelming.

In Norfolk's case it was weak.

In Godfrey's case it was weak.

In Langford's case it was nonexistent.

In Jeanette's case it was nonexistent.

 

I think Burns was better that that ... he did dice up Hart who is a very underrated fighter and he did defeat O'Brien who for many years was considered an all time great light heavyweight .. he did flatten many bigger men so his power was legit ...

 

Very much likewise and cheers back Greg.

It’s an excellent, collective knowledge base we have here - lots of great stuff to read and facts to be newly informed on.

 

That's a bit disingenuous. Black fighters went on to dominate the division until recently. Excluding that talent base, whether at the top of the division or in recruitment and opportunity at the bottom, made life easier for the champion. The Chinese have yet to make a mark in the division let alone create a legacy the likes of black fighters.

 

Bullseye!

And it wasn’t cr*p speak, since Burns ultimately faced Johnson.

He did make Johnson wait a bit and have to chase him , not to exonerate Burns for that, but it did seem that he understood that he would probably lose - so he was making as much green as he could before judgment day - and his ultimate monetary takings for signing up for judgement day were more than considerable - likely maximised due to Burns putting Johnson on the back burner for a good period.

 

The bottom line is Wills was the only standout black challenger ,he should have got his shot but he didn't.Norfolk and Godfrey were not outstanding challengers to Jack and I believe my thread on Godfrey proves that.

 

Ok, the Lester Johnson is the best and perhaps only black man Dempsey fought and he think he lost that one.

 

Sounds like Dempsey drew the color line less than Jeffries.

 

??? Please explain. Jeffries fought more black men than Dempsey and defended his lineal title vs one, and fought a 4 round match vs another in a non title match while champion. I'd say Dempsey fought less back men for sure. The #1 contender for years in Wills never got a title shot.

 

I really don't care how many black opponents he fought, or who was the best of them.

I only care about the credentials of the men he didn't fight, and how they stack up individually.

 

Appearances don't always tell the story but Dempsey's back and shoulders scream puncher - and it just so happens that he was a hell of a puncher. Perfect build for his style and accents - or vice versa if you like.