Tough one, all of those were pretty rough to watch in their own way. If we’re talking pure old-school brutality, I’d say Dempsey vs Willard probably takes it. Willard got absolutely smashed with a broken jaw, cheekbone, ribs, and somehow made it through a few rounds when the fight should have been stopped way earlier. Different era and different rules, but that one was borderline savage. Foreman vs Frazier I was brutal too, but it ended pretty quick. Frazier just couldn’t deal with that kind of raw power and size. Same with Vitali vs Williams, where Williams showed crazy heart but Vitali basically hit him at will for round after round. Fury vs Wilder II was a one-sided beating, but it felt more like domination than destruction, if that makes sense. Wilder was out of it but not as physically wrecked as some of the others. So yeah, if I had to rank them: Dempsey vs Willard Vitali vs Williams Foreman vs Frazier I Fury vs Wilder II All bad in their own way, but that Dempsey fight is just on another level of brutality.
Hi Buddy. In agreement regards the Dempsey / Willard fight, furthermore I don't watch t it very much, for me there is something sad and poignant about the hapless, bewildered, stumbling cowboy that makes me want to switch off, plus it looks primeval to allow a fighter to be stand over the fallen foe, just waiting to admonish more punishment almost before he has risen to is feet, at times poor Jess tried in vain to turn away from the marauding Dempsey, strangely I feel some resentment toward Jack as he circles the bleeding and bruised hulk that was the rather genial, and piteous soon to be ex champ, isn't it strangely weird that two of the weaker, or worst champs, the other being Carnera, showed courage well beyond their skill level, getting up to face the thudding punches of fighters that were considered to be amongst the hardest hitters of all time, you can take the snarling, unshaven, unsportsmanlike Dempsey, and the laughing, smiling, disrespectful, Bear, and give me the courageous, stoic, and lionhearted, Willaird / Carnera, any day of the week. Very interesting and articulate post from your good self, I might add. stay safe buddy, chat soon. Mike.
Hype Igoe the journalist said the beating Fitz gave to Jeffries in their second fight was worse than that administered to Willard by Dempsey,
Thanks Mike, appreciate the kind words. I know exactly what you mean about the Dempsey–Willard fight. There’s something almost uncomfortable about watching it today. Willard looked so completely lost and overmatched, and the way Dempsey stands over him waiting to pounce just feels wrong by modern standards. I’ve always thought the same about guys like Willard and Carnera. For all the criticism they get, both showed incredible heart. They took awful beatings from two of the most dangerous punchers in history and never quit. You can’t really teach that kind of courage. It’s funny how time changes how we look at these old fights. Back then it was seen as pure excitement, but now it almost feels like you’re watching a historical document of just how brutal the sport used to be. Hard to imagine something like that happening under modern rules, and probably for the better.
Hi Buddy. Allow me to quantify, you are of course correct at the time of this bout fighters were indeed allowed to stand over a fallen fighter and deliver blows before the opponent has risen, even as they were rising, but it was stopped not long after, because the authorities realised it was unsportsmanlike, so Dempsey didn't break any rules as such, but it was not a good look, and seemed somewhat unfair, not only to Willard but any fighter in his position literally, anyway I get your fairly made point. stay safe buddy, chat soon. Mike.
