1996 Holyfield vs prime Jack Dempsey

Not everyone tires that quickly, even HWs.
Foreman is criticized for his endurance, but through many more shots for more rounds in Zaire.
You know about both fighters in Manilla, they set a record at HW over 14 rounds.
Dempsey in the 18O's should have had more endurance.
And he is too small to trouble Foreman w/a swarming attack.
And has the stylistic disadvantage.

 

He was moving a ton, wrestling with a much larger opponent, throw loads of punches which were ridiculously loaded up. It's not like he was totally gassed or out on his feet either, his paced slowed, but he was still throwing lots of hard shots.

 

No....they believed it was imaginary!

 

I think 96 Tyson would have a good chance of stopping prime Dempsey

 

I think he does as well, but I'd make Dempsey the favorite

 

I think he was gassed, from reports about when he left the ring.
But he had significant time to recover when they called him back to finish the fight.

 

Manassa Mauler by 8th round KO AGREED

 

At the moment, I'm thinking Dempsey in a gruelling war (15 rounds).

Neither would be the same afterward.

 

Holyfield for me. For all this talk about Dempsey's vaunted power and getting you out of there early... He couldn't do so with guys like Fat Willie Meehan survived (Even though it was a shorter fight.... he still could've gotten him out on there in 1 if he could) and a smaller gibbons. I picture Holyfield giving Dempsey angles and combos he's likely never seen before, and he gets caught hurt and put away. Dempsey has a punchers chance, but the smart money should be on Holy imo

 

There is flatly zero basis to choose Dempsey in this match-up.

 

No. None. Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey and Jack Johnson? Those bums couldn't beat the beast that went 1-1-1 with John Ruiz let alone prime Holyfield

 

Oh, so you've picked prime Holy. Then can we talk about Gunboat, Joe Choynski and Louiss final years as a one armed fighter under the yoke of tax debt.

 

I genuinely would pick a 91, 92 Holyfield but 96? Nah. And Jack Sharkey is Dempsey's best win at HW imo

 

I think the one where he flattened Tunney for 14 seconds was a better win. Just my opinion.