From cyberboxing: Here's one I have been meaning to post for some time. Since Dempsey's fans keep creating threads here is one that will thrill them. Jack Dempsey claimed the Light heavy title with his May 1916 win over Terry Kellar. Say What? Yup. Dempsey's May 1916 bout agaisnt Kellar was PROMOTED as a title fight and dempsey was referred to as a title claimant afterwards!! I beleive these clips wold have been part of the scrapbook Dempsey showed around when he hit NYC -- and of course he was ridiculed for his various wins. But, nevertheless, he was a title claimant. I suppose Kellar claimed some sort of ranking or title contention following his ND bout with Battling Levinsky. This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected Last image I believe is 1916 just prior to his first NYC appearance although it is stamped 1918.
Interesting for sure, but I dont think his claim was a verry good one, or likley to have been taken verry seriously.
Levinsky didnt win the title till after this fight, Kellars claim probably came from drawing with Tom McMahon in his previous fight. McMahon had beaten Dillon recently but had lost since that fight also. Pretty tenuous claim
Wasn't taking seriously at the time. Probably on a par of me declaring myself Minimumweight champion of the world right now.