How big of a Idol was Jack Dempsey ??

I think we did this one just a few weeks ago.

Dempsey is going to win the consensus, but to me it is Marciano and not close. Marciano beat the best of his time, including Louis, Charles, Walcott, Moore, Layne, Lastarza, Cockell, and Matthews. The only plausible name missing is Valdez.

Demspey missed out on fights with Wills, Siki, Langford, Godfrey, Greb, and even Johnson was plausible. He climbed out of the ring rather than fight Jeanette.

Marciano was a true champ. Dempsey was sort of the equivalent of modern day alphabet belt holder, with other guys who could plausibly be said to be the champ.

 

Dempsey was much better in every aspect aside from endurance imo.

Dempsey would be far and away the hardest AND fastest puncher Marciano faced. You can't say the same vice versa.

 

never seen this one before

 

Dempsey. Similar style but faster, more powerful, better movement. TKO in the 5th.

 

Oh, boy! To say Dempsey was equivalent to a run-of-the-mill modern-day alphabet champ is the most heretical statement I've ever read on this forum. Son, you have to understand not only who he was and who he beat and how he fought -- but what he meant. Jack Dempsey and Babe Ruth were the original American idols, the first superstars to transcend their sports. Dempsey brought glamour and excitement to the country as it emerged from the first World War. He filled stadiums and did it with a special energy and flair and thus became one of the two greatest sports heroes of the Roaring Twenties. He was the first modern heavyweight; he helped to popularize boxing through much of the century. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, knew who Jack Dempsey was. He was that big. He was bigger than presidents Wilson, Harding and Coolidge.

 

Jack Dempsey served during WW2 in the Coast Guard.

He was accused during his career of avoiding service during WW1. He was able to avoid service in WW1 due to being the main financial provider for his family during that time, if I remember correctly.

 

Jack Dempsey was one of the first, truly big names of sport.
Loved by men and women, he drew in those massive crowds.
Even 60 +years later people still wanted to shake the man's hand.

 

Dempsey was legendary in a way no one has ever reached before or since. He was a perfect storm of the times.

 

No one today and few after the 60s cared that Ali was a draft dodger.

 

Marciano was better at more than endurance.
He threw higher volume, that is not close.
Dempsey himself said he felt Rocky hit harder & finished men faster.
Marciano had very unpredictable movement.
At least as wide a range of great punches of every type.

You have a point re: Rocky not facing the best sluggers (but great boxer-types).
But if Dempsey was a faster puncher than say Charles it was not by much.