From what he (Old Fogey) posted, Dempsey thought Liston was particularly susceptible to right hands. Here is what he (OF) said: "Liston is stunned on film by Whitehurst. The fight Dempsey referred to was a Howard King fight in Miami. Dempsey describes King as crossing a right over Liston's jab and sending Liston reeling across the ring against the ropes. Dempsey, who was at ringside, thought Liston was badly hurt and could have been finished, but King was so surprised he did nothing. Dempsey went on to predict Liston would go suddenly from a right cross and everyone would be shocked. This did happen in the second Ali fight."
Well, eventually Leotis Martin got him. But Ali really did land that short right. The video/film is incontrovertible. However, Liston did get up from it and and was only stopped from continuing because of the confusion with the ref (JJ Walcott) and Nat Fleischer at ringside.
Her is the Brennan fight Dempsey although not looking really impressive is not the slow plodder that Tunney fought also he had the power when he caught you to finnish it, a little off topic I know. http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=mFxcNfXMA60
Dempsey was not a slow plodder at all in his prime. And he was kept on his toes by having Big Bill Tate as his sparring partner. Made Jess Willard seem sloth slow in comparison to Tate.
Bill Tate looks rather impressive in his sparring footage against Dempsey. Very good mobility for a guy his size.
Tate was a contender in those days and fought many of the great black heavyweights. Dempsey also, from reports, sparred often with George Godfrey as well. Young Dempsey was not slow. Watch the fight with Willard. Don't go by the Sharkey and Tunney fights.
Hey Hydraulix is that your face in your private profile picture? I'm not gonna ask if that's your butt in your profile picture?
Dempsey in his prime would be a tough customer for any normal size heavyweight. Fast, aggressive, heavy punch, and the will to win.