Adam Pollack's Dempsey Book?

William Muldoon was against the fight wasn't he? Which other promoters wanted to stage it?

 

Muldoon was initially against it on the principle that Rickard was talking about demanding exceedingly high prices for the tickets. Muldoon was waging a war against what he felt was the over-commercialization of the sport. However at this time Muldoon was fighting all sorts of politically heavy handed battles in the sport, becoming increasingly dictatorial and erratic (and I suspect was beginning to get senile). He was very quickly removed from his position. It was seen as something of a slap in the face to a man who had become the face of the NYSAC which was emerging as the most powerful player in the sport. As a result he was returned to the commission to save face but his duties were watered down and no longer had much power beyond being a recognizeable figurehead. Once he lost his power the commission swung fully behind Wills which is why you see the initial hiccup in pulling off that match in 1922 and then you see Dempsey, Kearns, and Rickard finagle that fake contract to buy them time shortly thereafter and again the same thing 1925 between Dempsey and Floyd Fitzsimmons which ultimately resulted in Dempsey being barred in New York and the Tunney fight being moved to Philly. That move prompted the lone African American member of Penn. State Athletic Commission to quit in protest over allowing Dempsey to avoid Wills by fighting in Pennsylvania.

 

You make valuable points and as I have read, are writing a book on the matter which I’m sure will be well researched, however all of this is locked in the bubble of the boxing world. Larger societal issues were at play, and as you noted I brought up the riots and protests of today, all the print magazines and digital articles, agree that the officer that murdered that man of color was wrong (much like the news media of the day say Wills was the right challenger) doesn’t change the fact that people still use the death to murder and vandalize. Every news paper in the country could of been for Wills to receive his shot, but would they own aftermath after the bout is concluded. That’s the real question and danger posed. Dempsey was immensely popular by a population 88 percent Caucasian very easy to see how this may have turned out ugly no matter who printed what the public wanted. Change is incremental and rightly or wrongly I don’t believe people wanted a Wills challenge. Nice debate, look forward to the book.

 

One last point- I realize this thread was started by Adam and want to say look forward to your book as well. Can’t wait actually. Cheers to both of you

 

Dempsey.