How would Jack Dempsey have done in the 1950s?

Let's say he had debuted in the late 40s following working in a shipyard during WW2 but never serving overseas. How would he have done with the heavies of that decade?

 

He'd be World Champion

 

It was a weak era so hed do well.

 

He'd lose to Marciano and Liston.
Probably lose to Archie Moore


Maybe others as well...Ezzard Charles, Jersey Joe.....

 

Very good, he will beat green Liston in mid 50s and retire when Liston hits his prime in 1960, he will beat everyone except maybe Marciano.

 

Beats everyone aside from Liston

 

Assuming he shows up as the same hungry animal that did in 1914 and gets good 1940/50's training, he rolls the decade. Might take an early loss if matched against a vet, but one that would teach him well. Clears the division until Liston gets on the scene.

 

The 1919 Dempsey is champion in any era.

 

Uh, no. They didn't let full time ranch hands hold the belt in eras of real heavyweight boxing.

 

Uh yeah. 1919 Dempsey was another level.

 

He fought once and beat up a 38 year old semi-retired rodeo clown. That's another level?

 

He cleans house. His toughest opponent is probably Charles.

 

At his best I would say Dempsey is capable of beating anyone mentioned, but probably loses to Marciano and Liston.

 

45-55 is the easiest era since before WW1. He likely goes undefeated the only reason he wouldn't is the amount of 10 rounders against good HWs he'd have to fight. Especially at the start. Marciano went undefeated because he avoided this and took a more 21st century style path. Undefeated or not Dempseys the best fighter of the era no matter what.

55-59 is a bit more dicey but he should be fine. While the divisons better in 55-59 theres still only a few people with even a decent chance.

However if we ignore arbitrary date cutoffs Dempseys career in this era likely ends with Dempsey either retiring to avoid Liston or losing in the early 60s. Even if you think Dempsey is better then Liston the best Liston would be fighting the older Dempsey its hard to see him winning.

 

I agree that the lean, hungry 1919 Dempsey beats everyone except late 50's Liston. (However, I think Walcott and Charles on a good night might have a chance to pull off an upset.)