Do You Think Jack Dempsey Is Overrated?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by cotto20, Sep 18, 2009.


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  1. Jason Thomas

    Jason Thomas Boxing Addict Full Member

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    George Godfrey in 1925 certainly was. He might not have been the top contender, but he would have been a credible contender.

    There is a point that the color line cut off much of the black talent at the roots. With opportunity walled off, young black men probably spurned boxing for other outlets. If any job at all was available it was probably preferable to getting no training and having to wear the cuffs or take dives against inferior white opponents.

    As for Dempsey, and also Tunney, they didn't cause this situation but it affects my view of their careers if contrasted with let's say Marciano or Wlad Klitschko, who fought in non-color line eras.

    Dempsey deserves criticism for fighting no one at all for three years while champion. Jack Renault for one would have been a decent white championship challenger.
     
    Jason Thomas, Sep 10, 2019
    Jason Thomas, Sep 10, 2019
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  2. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yeah, as a fighter he's not overrated at all because he was really good.

    Taking his resume into account, he is overrated by some people. His best wins are not extremely impressive and he has a few black holes (like weak defenses and not fighting Wills, even if that's not his fault).

    I still can't see him below top 20.
     
    70sFan865, Sep 10, 2019
    70sFan865, Sep 10, 2019
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  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    All the great heavyweights are overrated - all of them. So relative to each other, probably not, but in boxing, yeah he is.
     
    McGrain, Sep 10, 2019
    McGrain, Sep 10, 2019
    #63
  4. KuRuPT

    KuRuPT Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    In his day, he was VASTLY overrated, much like Jeffries. Now days, the pushback from the overrating over the years has leveled things out to where I think he's about right.
     
    KuRuPT, Sep 10, 2019
    KuRuPT, Sep 10, 2019
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  5. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    He said she said...again nothing tangible to point to.
    What did John Lester Johnson say...after he broke Dempsey's ribs in New Yorkk and sent him scurrying back home. Where it was safe I guess.
    Dempsey's record is like dining at a French Restaurant..there is alot fluff, alot of show but you leave a bit hungry.
     
    ETM, Sep 10, 2019
    ETM, Sep 10, 2019
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  6. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Do you agree with the above statement? You cornered yourself.
     
    ETM, Sep 10, 2019
    ETM, Sep 10, 2019
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  7. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    It kind of depends on how it was meant though. If Langford thinks Dempsey is better than Jeffries, Johnson and Wills, he thinks him the best heavy he saw. And that's valid.

    Langford was speaking at a time when p4p wasn't as fully realised as it is now. If you were the best you were the best. Langford himself travelled from 140 to HW. In a literal sense, the statement is perfectly defensible.
     
    McGrain, Sep 10, 2019
    McGrain, Sep 10, 2019
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  8. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    A blind man (Langford) said Dempsey is the best he has seen. Blind Sam.
    Think before you post.
     
    ETM, Sep 10, 2019
    ETM, Sep 10, 2019
    #68
  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Well he was struggling very badly with his vision by 1922, certainly.

    But there's no reason to believe he was blind in 1919, and certainly no evidence of his blindness in 1918.
     
    McGrain, Sep 10, 2019
    McGrain, Sep 10, 2019
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  10. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    I have tried to make this point ad nauseum. Good luck.
     
    Seamus, Sep 10, 2019
    Seamus, Sep 10, 2019
    #70
  11. HerolGee

    HerolGee Loyal Member banned Full Member

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    looking at his resume, not during his rise to the title, but a little for his title reign. He cashed in as a poster boy too much.
    If he'd been more serious whilst at the top he might have taken Tunney.
     
    HerolGee, Sep 11, 2019
    HerolGee, Sep 11, 2019
    #71
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