1996 Holyfield vs prime Jack Dempsey

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by BrutalForeman, May 24, 2019.

  1. BrutalForeman

    BrutalForeman Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2014
    Messages:
    701
    Likes Received:
    302
    15 rounds, the Holyfield who fought Tyson vs the Jack Dempsey who fought Willard.

    Can Dempsey steamroll the ultra durable Holyfield (holyroid?)
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta likes this.
  2. Jackomano

    Jackomano Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2014
    Messages:
    8,371
    Likes Received:
    7,202
    Not really a fair fight, since Dempsey was in his prime against Willard while Holyfield in 1996 was already past prime and breaking down as a fighter. Holyfield from 1991-1993 on the other hand against Dempsey would be a 50/50 fight.
     
    RockyJim likes this.
  3. HerolGee

    HerolGee Loyal Member banned Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2010
    Messages:
    41,974
    Likes Received:
    4,032
    Holy would get smashed about for sure, but like it or lump it, he would work Demps out, and beat him.
     
    PhillyPhan69 likes this.
  4. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2012
    Messages:
    66,711
    Likes Received:
    87,708
    Holyfield has really good technical skills but loves a brawl.

    Dempsey has pretty good technical skills but really loves a brawl.

    Dempsey > Holyfield in a brawl imo.
     
  5. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2017
    Messages:
    8,581
    Likes Received:
    11,093
    It's interesting that the Willard bout (many consider his finest performance), he was supposodly scared. Compare to the Firpo one where he seemed to think he could just charge in, and he got knocked out of the ring.

    Dempsey really seemed to be a fighter who fear made perform better
     
    roughdiamond, HerolGee and SHADAPBLAD like this.
  6. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2017
    Messages:
    5,887
    Likes Received:
    5,581
    Dempsey scared of Willard? Lol. Don’t believe that for a single second. The only thing that Dempsey could’ve be scared up going into that fight was maybe that someone found that he did have loaded gloves on like so many people suspected after the fight.
     
    SHADAPBLAD and George Crowcroft like this.
  7. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2007
    Messages:
    17,178
    Likes Received:
    16,963
    Love how guys like you spout this BS to try an keep it alive even though it's been disproved over and over again. Just ridiculous lol
     
  8. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2017
    Messages:
    5,887
    Likes Received:
    5,581
    Nope I don’t believe it either but it’s part of his myth now like Carnera’s fights been fixed, Liston throwing fights and Ali been saved from a knockout by Dundee’s glove cutting cheating. Anyway it’s about as believable as saying that Dempsey was scared of Willard.
     
    PhillyPhan69 and robert ungurean like this.
  9. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2007
    Messages:
    17,178
    Likes Received:
    16,963
    I got you..went right over my head lol
     
  10. CarlChilders

    CarlChilders Member banned Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2019
    Messages:
    463
    Likes Received:
    256
    Let me see Jack Dempsey was a slow unskilled tomato can who fought in a era where everybody else was a slow unskilled tomato can. Holyfield fought in the modern era with modern skilled guys and beat them. Holyfield by 1st or second round slaughter.
     
    Pat M likes this.
  11. Big Red

    Big Red Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2011
    Messages:
    3,283
    Likes Received:
    583
    Dempsey, about the same size but Dempsey was faster and harder hitting, would probably be a brawl style fight, favours Dempsey.

    Holyfield had a great chin but was on ***** Street several times, Dempsey could finish him imo.
     
  12. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2017
    Messages:
    8,581
    Likes Received:
    11,093
    This content is protected
     
    louis54 and robert ungurean like this.
  13. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2005
    Messages:
    66,268
    Likes Received:
    53,778
    Holyfield steam rolls him after a quick start on both sides. Even when brawling Holy was much more disciplined and a much better combo puncher. Dempsey has nothing close to Holy in his ledger. Holy has loads of heavyhanded guys who would have been monsters in Jack's era. KO4 with Jack going out on his shield.
     
  14. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2017
    Messages:
    5,887
    Likes Received:
    5,581
    Jesus! Did anyone believe in defence in those days? Look at them both fighting with their hands at waist level. Holyfield was past his best in 96 but still he would have a (holy) field day with Dempsey just walking in with his hands down like that. He wouldn’t be able to miss with Dempsey being such an open target. Going by a film like that, there’s just no way that you can say Dempsey is anywhere near as skilled as fighter as Holyfield.
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta and Pat M like this.
  15. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2018
    Messages:
    7,582
    Likes Received:
    9,406
    Anytime you put Holyfield against Dempsey Marciano or Frazier you know it’s gonna be a good fight. Love Dempsey’s raw talent and style but his boxing technique would have to adjust to compete w the big guys. He had the speed power and chin to compete but his style leaves himself to open for a solid boxer like Holyfield. Holyfield in a bloodfest