Dempsey- Galento Sparring Session

My point is made ... neither of these accounts say Dempsey laid out Galento with the most power hook ... complete fabrication.

 

The session did happen but there is a lot of interpretation to be read in or out of it. Dempsey got into the ring to show Galento how he wanted him to throw a hook. He could have simply been sparring and got the better of Galento but he could also have kind of taken advantage of Tony's position as the "student". I know Ive been in situations in the past where a trainer was trying to show me something and because Im on the learning end I basically had to take my lumps. If you are doing your best against an aging teacher, or even a guy in his prime who is trying to show you something, chances are you arent going to be giving him the opportunity to show you what he needs to show. Combine this with Dempsey's well known inability to hold back when punching and you can easily see how Galento could get busted up, and then what is he supposed to do? Beat the hell out of his trainer/manager? For a young fighter having Dempsey attached to you was a big advantage in terms of recognition. Ask Max Baer.

 

Now I'm worried, we agreed .:happy

 

I agree.
But I don't see any reason to assume that Dempsey couldn't have got the better of Galento in a fair and even playing field over 2 x 2 minutes.
Dempsey was 39 in 1934, but Galento was a lazy second-rater, not even a contender at the time.
It's not like the story has Dempsey beating up Schmeling or Baer or a novice Joe Lous.
He was beating up the walking beer barrel !

Speaking of Baer, apparently he was once asked who hit him hardest - the questioner expecting him to say Louis - and he said "Jack Dempsey". Maybe Dempsey was in the habit of bullying young proteges by demonstrating punches on them !?! Or more likely Baer was just being kind to his hero/mentor ...... (Because we all know Dempsey didn't really hit hard, even in his prime, that was just some fraudulent hokum pulled on the public by Kearns and Rickard

)

 

LOL ... funny.

 

Good point . (When you're on your meds you're an interesting guy ... :good )

 

Good post