Excerpt of a post-fight interview of Dempsey after Baer-Louis

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Melankomas, Jan 11, 2026.


  1. Melankomas

    Melankomas Corbett beats your favourite fighter

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    'Jack Dempsey, who seconded his "pal," Max Baer, thinks there is no Heavyweight in sight with a chance to beat Joe Louis. "Louis is good, there's no doubt about that," said the former World Champion today, "It will take a really great fighter to beat him and there's no one around now capable of turning the trick."

    Keenly disappointed by his own protege's showing, Dempsey declared that "Baer is all washed up." "I told him he ought to quit," added the old mauler. "He simply hasn't got it any more. "I sent Baer out there to fight, not box, but he wouldn't open up, except in one or two brief spurts.

    Between rounds I urged him to keep slugging. He didn't do it and he couldn't even explain who he wasn't following instructions. "

    At the finish he was knocked absolutely senseless. He didn't know where he was when we dragged him back to the corner." Asked what he thought his own chances against Louis would have been, in his prime, Dempsey grinned and replied; "Well, l'd have kept punching with him, doing the best I could." The former Champion left the impression he thought he might have had quite a pleasant punching party with the brown bomber. His parting shot, however, was: "I'm glad I'm in the restaurant business now!'' - Assoc. Press

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    Melankomas, Jan 11, 2026
    Melankomas, Jan 11, 2026
    #1
    Seamus, roughdiamond, mcvey and 3 others like this.
  2. brb

    brb Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Nice find.
     
    brb, Jan 11, 2026
    brb, Jan 11, 2026
    #2
  3. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    lol at the idea of baer outboxing louis
     
    BCS8, Jan 12, 2026
    BCS8, Jan 12, 2026
    #3
  4. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    Good Stuff M!
     
    mcvey, Jan 12, 2026
    mcvey, Jan 12, 2026
    #4
    Melankomas likes this.
  5. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    nice. Louis was just too good this night.
     
    dmt, Jan 12, 2026
    dmt, Jan 12, 2026
    #5
  6. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Baer got exposed. Great little find.
     
    Seamus, Jan 12, 2026
    Seamus, Jan 12, 2026
    #6
  7. Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Hi Buddy.
    Good find, many thanks, I read somewhere many years ago, that Bear was nervous and panicky in the dressing room, and was reluctant to leave, apparently Dempsey after asking Max to get up and go many times said to Bear, " It's either me in here, or Louis out there , make up your mind " true or urban myth, who knows ?.
    stay safe Melankomas, chat soon .
    Mike.
     
    Mike Cannon, Jan 12, 2026
    Mike Cannon, Jan 12, 2026
    #7
  8. apollack

    apollack Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I've always said Louis looked absolutely phenomenal against Max Baer. Maybe one of his best performances. He was very quick, sharp, accurate, range perfect, and his footwork smooth, controlled, well-balanced, and efficient. He even had to roll and dip away from some heavy blows from a a very hard puncher who was bigger than him and come back with some brutal counters. Plus he kept and maintained a very fast pace. Bad medicine for anyone. I don't think it was bad Baer, but rather GREAT LOUIS!!
     
    apollack, Jan 12, 2026
    apollack, Jan 12, 2026
    #8
    Seamus likes this.