Would the fact he couldn't stand over people during the count affect Dempseys performance?

I don’t think anyone does to a strong degree. It certainly helps to be on top of a man getting up. However, if no such thing were in place, Dempsey would have gotten better at fighting as we know it with the corner rule. Good enough to keep his KO percentage? Who can say with any confidence.

 

Seperate by itself yes. But this is countered by the fact we have 10-8 rounds now and he didn't.

While obviously standing over someone is a huge advantage if you got them down in the first place you are probably going to win regardless. Not being able to stand over a downed opponent would certainly change fights but I don't think it would be likely to flip outcomes.

 

IIRC, the rule was still implemented back in the day but Dempsey got star treatment and was allowed to do it. However, before becoming a superstar I'm sure he won when the ref forced him back to his corner. Most of Jack's biggest wins were before he got to the title.

 

The laxity of any existing rules applied equally to both opponents,but first you had to drop Dempsey.