Does a prime Jack Dempsey beat the Joshua of today?

Every one knew in 1923 that Firpo had only basic knowledge of the finer points of boxing. However he was also known to be a pole ax puncher, physically strong and as tough as nails.

Firpo had a dislocated left elbow reset the night before he fought Dempsey. HE DID not let out a sound in process. Would not consider canceling the bout. NEVER a braver man stepped into the ring and that night against the most devestating puncher in the world

 

Every one knew in 1923 that Firpo had only basic knowledge of the finer points of boxing. However he was also known to be a pole ax puncher, physically strong and as tough as nails.

Firpo had a dislocated left elbow reset the night before he fought Dempsey. HE DID not let out a sound in process. Would not consider canceling the bout. NEVER a braver man stepped into the ring and that night against the most devestating puncher in the world

 

Firpo would be a small and relatively weak heavyweight by today's standards. No one would think twice about a 6-2, 212 pound heavyweight today. But I guess he was made some interstellar super strength dust that made him a harder puncher than far superior boxer and far larger and far stronger Joshua.

 

I've thought about David Haye twice

 

This, I did not know.

 

What you don't seem to understand is because of the training and sporting diets back then a huge guy weighs less. Sam Peter was a big guy but perhaps no bigger than Firpo without modern training.

There is no true physical comparison between David feckin Haye and Luis Firpo even if statistically they might be comparable. Haye is a product of his environment, a blown up overdeveloped poster boy of modern training.

 

It's absurd to think that all it took in the 1920s was a big punch, toughness, and size to get to the top of the division and only a basic understanding of boxing.

I find it laughable and pathetic that supposedly knowledgeable folks here in the classic section would actually believe a tall tale like that.

If we go by the exaggerations of the old reporters then we must also go by the exaggerations that the heavyweights today are all big and stiff, slow, unskilled, and have no stamina. Oh wait, but does that not help your argument?

 

You are correct. It also required a gullible press and very soft matchmaking.

 

nvm wrong post.

 

You are right on the money.

The thought of a 60,000, outdoor crowd gladly assembled to watch a fraud like Firpo knock guys out on the east coast (during a time when there were fight clubs on each street corner and everyone knew or were possibly related to active fighters) and were not able to smell a rat... it is laughable.

Firpo was foreign like Carnera so no doubt there were plenty of writers looking to discredit him once he was away from the title picture.

 

The story goes that the day before the bout the doctor assigned to the fight upon examining Firpo realized his left elbow was dislocated. The doctor wanted to cancel the bout. Firpo, enraged, stated he could beat Dempsey..."it is nothing". To prove he was good and ready to fight Firpo slammed both clenched fists down upon the metal exam table as hard as he could. Firpo must have been in agony but he just smiled wildly. The doctor took Firpo left arm and quickly pulled it snapping his elbow back into position. Again Firpo gave no sound, not a whimper, that indicated he was in any pain. Only the beads of sweat that dripped from his forehead belied that the pain he was feeling was enormous.

 

I guarantee Firpo wouldnt be considered weak today. The man was very strong.

 

How do we know this? He was a guy groomed by Rickard because he looked the part, not because of any ability. He hated to train and was too cheap to get real help so he could develop any skills. But suddenly, because Rickard says he's a phenom and tells his paid newsmen to say so, Firpo is this magical beast from foreign shores, a handsome exotic for women to swoon over and men to envy.

I fear the reality was a bit more prosaic.

 

Then how do we not know it? Plus he was a strongman for a little while.

 

Like a drum, Jack all day