Roll Up Roll Up Vote For Dempsey's Next Opponent

The very same

 

I would not give Johnson any kind of chance with Dempsey at this stage of their respective careers.
It is interesting however that only two of the ex heavy champs prior to Dempsey that wanted a chance to regain their title never got one.Burns [who off his showing with Johnson did not merit one],and Johnson,[ who was too old to be a realistic challenger to Dempsey.]

 

Brennan gave Dempsey a decent challenge. I doubt he would have received many votes if he'd been blown away in a round Fulton-style.
The people who likely voted in these polls probably read a lot of boxing stuff in the newspapers on a weekly basis, possibly daily. They weren't deprived of much information.

The essence of what you are saying is absolutely true. But it still holds to this day. Even knowledgeable boxing fans wanted to see the guys they are most familiar with by TV exposure and coverage, publicity etc.
Media coverage and public awareness made Tyson the #1 challenger to Lewis, made David Haye the overwhelming #1 challenger to Klitschko, made Cooney the most favoured HW even AFTER Holmes beat him. Vitali Klitschko became a huge name only after losing to Lewis. The examples are endless, at all weights.