Did Jack Dempsey have a big following among the Irish community? I seem to never hear this topic discussed, or commented on. Did he ever himself comment on his Irish heritage?
He did have a big following in Ireland, but I think it had more to do with his exploits inside the ring than his liniage, as the Irish had become accustomed to the successes of second/third generation Irish-americans. Also Dempsey never really played up the fact. Describing himself as something of a mongrel would have left his Irish brethren unable to fully share in his dominance.