Could Jack Dempsey beat Frank Bruno?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Woddy, Dec 1, 2007.


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  1. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I disagree with you. Bruno did have a vulnerable chin, the thing is he didnt go down when he got hit upon it. Instead he froze, usually against the ropes, but sometimes in a clinch. You mention Lewis. This is the finest example. Bruno wasn't dropped. But he was finished, the moment that counter landed; he was as good as out cold.
     
    McGrain, Dec 2, 2007
    McGrain, Dec 2, 2007
    #31
  2. Woddy

    Woddy Guest

    Bruno may have had a vulnerable chin but he tested it against men like Lewis, Tyson, Smith and Witherspoon. Dempsey never fought men who could test his chin like that, and please don't say Willard.
     
    Woddy, Dec 2, 2007
    Woddy, Dec 2, 2007
    #32
  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    All of this is true.

    But why not say Willard? I take it you mean in terms of quality, rather than disputing that he could punch very hard.
     
    McGrain, Dec 2, 2007
    McGrain, Dec 2, 2007
    #33
  4. Woddy

    Woddy Guest

    Willard could porbably bang, but he was out of the ring for 3 years and was 37 years old when he returned. Witherspoon, Smith, Tyson and Lewis were all prime punchers when Bruno fought them, and likely better than Willard even at his best. If you want to disagree, then go ahead, but I'll also ad that I don't think Dempsey ever faced a puncher or athlete like Bruno himself either.
     
    Woddy, Dec 2, 2007
    Woddy, Dec 2, 2007
    #34
  5. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Bruno was a robot, lacking the natural instincts of a fighter, and thus did not know what to do when he was hurt. Hence the freezing when hurt, but his chin like I said was very good. Right at the end of his career Francis taught him to cling on for dear life, but it was still very unnatural for Frank.
     
    TBooze, Dec 2, 2007
    TBooze, Dec 2, 2007
    #35
  6. Sonny's jab

    Sonny's jab Guest

    And that's why a man like Dempsey would straight **** him up.
    Bruno wouldn't survive the onslaught, Dempsey would just drill holes in him like Tyson did.
    Bruno was good enough at ramming jabs into hefty plodders or strict-boxing his way through a contest. He had enough self-control, skill snd power to put big lumps like Lewis and Witherspoon on the defensive for a while, esp. with those guys taking him a bit lightly. Bruno schooled the one-dimensional money-punch-seeking McCall. Fat journeymen would be mashed by Bruno. But it was all a thought-process and game-plan from Bruno. He needed a steady tempo, dictate the pace and avoid losing the lead, mentally and physically. Against Smith, Witherspoon and Lewis he just wasn't good enough over the distance. He dominated McCall but still had to hang on in the final round, and McCall was a very limited fighter.

    There's no way Bruno would cope with a savage aggressive fighter like Dempsey, someone so quick and explosive who fights in broken rhythms and comings bobbing in relentlessly.

    Dempsey would have him stumbling and spinning like he was being jumped by five or six guys with nightsticks.
    I wouldn't want to see it, I wouldn't want Bruno's wife and kids (or his dear old mother!) to see it.
     
    Sonny's jab, Dec 2, 2007
    Sonny's jab, Dec 2, 2007
    #36
  7. Holmes' Jab

    Holmes' Jab Master Jabber Full Member

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    Good post. To be fair, though I think he'd have a very good chance against the likes of Firpo and Willard. Having said that Bruno overall wasn't anything above the merely average (despite having a good jab, impressive raw punching power and great physique) That reasonable level of killer instinct and the ability to survive when tagged clean by big shots just wasn't present is his makeup. I will say that Bruno was a better fighter than the likes of London and Cockell etc, probably Bugner as well (at least Frank had a go at times). Cooper would probably rate above him fundimentally as well (despite his glaring skin tissue weakness.)

    I will also put foward the suggestion that a peak Tommy Farr would likely beat Bruno. :good
     
    Holmes' Jab, Dec 3, 2007
    Holmes' Jab, Dec 3, 2007
    #37
  8. Holmes' Jab

    Holmes' Jab Master Jabber Full Member

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    Verdict: Dempsey TKO5 Bruno.
     
    Holmes' Jab, Dec 3, 2007
    Holmes' Jab, Dec 3, 2007
    #38
  9. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Problem with Bruno wasn't physical, it was mental. Whenever he got hurt, he froze and just stood there, taking shots.
    Dempsey has the natural aggression and killer instinct to completely take advantage of Bruno's mental shortcomings.

    I see Bruno boxing quite conservatively behind his jab, tagging Dempsey with some nice punches. He'll get tagged by some meaty swats but will weather the storm. Eventually though, Dempsey's going to start reaching him more and more, and Bruno will slowly start to fold.
    Frank's chin was actually pretty solid if you think about it, and it took some huge punches from Tyson and Lewis to stop him. I don't see Dempsey simply smashing him into defeat - it will become a slow dismantling process where Bruno is taken apart little bits at a time until he unravels.

    I see Bruno's power and jab causing problems for Dempsey though, at first anyway. Bruno could even be slightly ahead on the cards until about the 4th or 5th round. Could Bruno score a knockdown somewhere along the way? Sure.
     
    fists of fury, Dec 3, 2007
    fists of fury, Dec 3, 2007
    #39
  10. Minotauro

    Minotauro Boxing Addict Full Member

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    This content is protected
     
    Minotauro, Dec 3, 2007
    Minotauro, Dec 3, 2007
    #40
  11. Ramon Rojo

    Ramon Rojo Active Member Full Member

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    No
     
    Ramon Rojo, Dec 3, 2007
    Ramon Rojo, Dec 3, 2007
    #41
  12. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    janitor, Dec 4, 2007
    janitor, Dec 4, 2007
    #42
  13. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    TBooze, Dec 4, 2007
    TBooze, Dec 4, 2007
    #43
  14. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    janitor, Dec 4, 2007
    janitor, Dec 4, 2007
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  15. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    As a natural talent yes, but he rarely showed that talent, and sleep walked, unmotivated though many a bout.
     
    TBooze, Dec 4, 2007
    TBooze, Dec 4, 2007
    #45
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