i like this Hype Igoe guy, “Joe Louis would have knocked out all of Jeffries crowd in one night. So would have Dempsey. Jeffries never saw the day he could punch like Dempsey or Louis.” EDIT: spoke too soon "Igoe is of the opinion that Jack Dempsey would "have nailed him (Louis) with a left hook and finished him in the first round."
Louis had a shaky chin, was way too slow coming out of the gate and had a real distaste for being pressured... three things you want to hear if you're Jack Dempsey. IMO, the most likely outcome is an early Dempsey KO but you can never dismiss a prime Bomber's chances in any contest.
One of the things actually that actually gets over-looked with Louis by some is that he is actually an incredible fighter. Forget the boxing. When forced to fight, he is incredible because he has the ability to throw short, accurate, precise, power shots with speed. In a 15 round fight, he isn't going to be doing that unless he has to. Dempsey would force him to fight which makes this interesting unless Joe finds that he can just box him. The version of Louis that fought Baer, that could shuffle around with the Jab, is interesting because distance could be key in preventing Dempsey's attacks from working with full affect. Dempsey would also be coming to Joe and Joe's bigger problems were with movers even though he's knocked them out too. It's a fight I would like to see for sure. By the way, he wasn't slow against Schmeling in the rematch. Best out of 3 might between the two would be interesting. If Louis loses the first, what does he do to adjust in the rematch.
Excellent article. Teddy Hayes fell out with Dempsey eventually so his opinion should be viewed with caution,imo. I pick Dempsey and early, 2rds ko before Louis gets into his stride ,but the longer it went the better Joe's chances.
The term " Hype " came from Igoe. Don't take what he wrote too seriously. I think Dempsey vs. Louis could go either way. I like Dempsey early, and Louis late. Though I do think Dempsey superior agility, and fast straiting ways would eventually spell doom for Louis, who was slower, not always a fast starter, and was there to be hit.
Why should we not take Igoe's words seriously? He was a very well respected sports writer, who saw many of the memorable battles of yore. Igoe was ringside when Jeffries fought Fitz the second time,he stated that Fitz gave Jeffries the worst beating he ever saw one man inflict on another,worse even than the hiding Dempsey gave Willard. Jeffries must indeed have been an " Iron Man" ,to walk through that and stop a Fitz whose hands had been wrecked on his head. This content is protected Igoe is shown here with the Baer brothers. This content is protected
A lot of opinions can be viewed with caution so I agree. But I do pay attention to what some of these guys in particular have to say. I don't take what everybody says as cement. A lot of opinions vary. That's why it's best to collect as many as possible. It's just interesting to hear what people have to say in such articles. For example: There's insight that Elite Trainers and Fighters can give you that I don't have.
Dempsey could crowd Louis and catch him early, but then Louis's shorter punching and better finishing ability (in my opinion) might do the job as well. Ultimately I see both men probably hitting the canvas, with Louis coming out on top.
Geese Dempsey hit hard, I wonder who Tony Galento would have taken in this bout having been ko'd by both (Dempsey in a short gym workout). The Dempsey of the Williard bout was like a cat attacking, both with his feet and hands. Joe's my number 1 all time heavy but I favor Jack early in this go.