Dempsey v Langford

I would say Dempsey was the number one fighter and he was perceived as such by the general public.

Will's defeat of Firpo was given a " so what " verdict.

Fulton had beaten Morris, Moran,Kaufman , drawn with Miske, stopped Cowler, Langford,Smith,Jim Flynn, Porky Flynn, Pelkey. Dempsey took him out in lesss than half a minute.. Fulton was red hot when Dempsey burst his bubble.

 

I never suggested that Wills was prime in those fights .I simply questioned his appetite for the fray when things got hot.

I'm 65 in November , you don't have to tell me about Father Time.

 

"I never suggested that Wills was prime in those fights .I simply questioned his appetite for the fray when things got hot."

I understood that. But, I still find it hard to imagine anybody who could fight Langford as often as he did and do so well against him could be lacking in that department. But, I can't say that I've spent a lot of time studying Wills career.

At one time I considered tackling a book about him, especially when I found out his widow (in her 90s at that time) was still alive but when I failed to connect with her to setup a possible interview I decided to go another direction. Wills would make for an interesting subject though.

 

I said Wills best two white opponents were recycled Dempsey victims . You took exception to the term recycled.
The two I referred to were Fulton and Firpo, that was obvious ,as was my reason for mentioning Fulton further.

You can pretend what you like, you can pretend that Dempsey was prime when he was kod by Jim Flynn, if it makes you happy.

I've read Dempsey's two autobiographies and the one by Randy Roberts, in none of them does he state that when he went to Hollywood he had no intention of defending his title again .:huh

Have you information to the contrary?

Dempsey was the reigning champion .
Wills was perceived as having little chance with him. read the link.

Headlined .
"HARRY WILLS NO MATCH FOR DEMPSEY"

ps If it helps, I'll pretend you didn't mention Greb.:good


http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...AAAAIBAJ&pg=3181,2790358&dq=harry+wills&hl=en


N. B. You like to mention that Dempsey said he did not think he could beat Langford,[how many times is that now?] As though this is somehow portentous and meaningful.

When interviewed as to who would win the upcoming fight between Firpo ,and Wills, Dempsey picked Firpo . He also told Hype Igoe [the interviewee] that if he fought Wills he would, "knock out Wills quicker than I did Fulton". If you give one credence you must give the other the same.:yep

 

You never actually address written proof do you?
Why don't you comment on Wills being perceived as distinctly inferior to Dempsey, instead of getting insulting?
Give me a time line ,and I will give you an answer.

1924 Firpo, prior to his fight with Wills was seen as the better of the two, with the benefit of hindsight ,we can clearly see this was not the case.

I think you are getting rather rude now, and that there is no further point in continuing what has been a fairly exhaustive thread.

 

I dont accept your comment , but anyway.
Wills from September 11th 1924 until around March 1925 when Tunney takes it for me. Quite what difference it makes I have no idea.

 

Wills was an interesting man, no doubt, but, given the choice ,Langford was the way to go,imo. Still you have time before you.

 

Actually, I'd already written the Langford book at the time. When I abandoned the idea of tackling Wills next I moved on and did Billy Miske instead. But, as you say, there's still time to go back and work on one about Wills at some point. There are still many other possibilities.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBOUmkoI44w