Fred Fulton claimed Dempsey told him their fight was an exhibition

seems like an excuse to me

 

Some young whippersnapper did a deep dive into this topic...

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/did-dempsey-double-cross-fulton.566154/

 

Just reread that thread.

A Classic!

 

It is now quite obvious that Dempsey could not fight his way out of a wet paper bag. He tricked guys with fake exhibitions. Loaded his glove. Ducked everyone. Was anti-USA. Hated Englishmen. Had a chin or pure Wedgewood china. And was basically a dainty maid of a man.

 

Was this fight ever filmed? I am wondering if there is some footage hidden somewhere.

 

me too. To my knowledge, there is no footage of Dempsey prior to him winning the title.

I think Dempsey gets underrated on this forum. His speed and hitting power were remarkable. In many ways, he was the first modern heavyweight. He developed a style that influenced Tyson. Of course, Tyson was slightly more refined and took it to a higher level, but he learned a lot from Dempsey. Tyson idolized Dempsey.

I don't worship Dempsey like I once did, and I do think his legacy is hurt due to Harry Wills not getting a title shot. I think Dempsey was willing to fight him but circumstances did not allow. Either way its a shame Wills didn't get a title shot.

Back to Dempsey-Fulton, I would be thrilled to see this. I believe some previously unknown footage of the great Sam Langford was discovered a few years back. Maybe one day we will have the same happen for Dempsey.

 

I used to find it cute when my toddlers had a tantrum. Thanks for the nostalgia.

 

Dempsey might have been closer to what we see as professional wrestling today. But for that matter, so might all of the monied boxing world. You sell a story, you sell a character, the action is secondary and best calculated for the most financially rewarding result.

 

yeah that was his peak in 1918.

I can see why a guy who literally went hungry at times would lose his fighting hunger when he won the title.