How Would A Jack Dempsey - Kenny Norton Fight Play Out ?

Dempseys heavier than I thought, just been checking mate. I always thought he was lighter for some reason, much lighter. Yeah if it’s evens size wise, you’d expect Dempsey with his style and power to be testing Norton’s chin early doors and him landing brutally. I agree with you fergy, the longer the fight the more it suits Norton. If Norton’s given room to box and he survives the first few, then Dempsey has a major problem. Nobody outboxed Norton, his skill set and style gave atg boxers losses or SD wins by the skin of their teeth

 

Miske wasn't sick the first time he fought Dempsey.

I think you;d have a very hard time arguing Willard was Dempsey's best win.

Also Meehan wasn't really any older than Dempsey.

Flynn a stand out? He's not even in Dempsey's top 10 wins. He was shot to bits at that point, and mediocre at his best.

1. Billy Miske
2. Tommy Gibbons
3. Fred Fulton
4. Jess Willard
   
5. Carl Morris
6. Bill Brennan
7. Jack Sharkey
8. Battling Levinsky
9. Georges Carpentier
10. Luis Angel Firpo

Well all better wins by a significant margin. Firpo wasn't great, but going intot he Dempsey fight he was coming off wins over Brennan, McAuliffe, an old Willard, and Weinert. Far better than anything Flynn could do at that point. Dempsey lost to Flynn because he was a hobo.

 

I actually think Willard is Jack's greatest performance. His power and relentless aggression is what stood out, but he also showed a good bob and roll as he moved his way in on Willard. I forgot he fought Miske twice, but he was still a LHW, as was Carpentier. Otherwise, I consider those good wins. Carpentier was a helluva boxer, and Miske probably was as well. The Gibbons fight was unimpressive altogether. Jack really never hurt Gibbons that I can recall, and it was mostly a mauling affair. As for Fulton and Morris, I will assume you know more of them than I do (I've only heard of them).

This is a case where, although Norton is one of my favorite heavies, I realize he only has a few big wins on his record, although he beat a number of ranked fighters from '72 to '80. I just think that Norton beat much greater fighters than Dempsey did, and lost in incredible fashion to others. I mean, does anyone here think that the fighters Dempsey beat, Willard, Carpentier, Brennan, and Firpo would beat the likes of Ali, Quarry, and Young?

In addition to all that, I am one of those people who thinks that Norton being about 25 pounds heavier than Dempsey would pretty much guarantee the win for Norton. I know many of you don't think that's true, and I respect it. But as for me, I disagree.

 

From the films I have seen of Jack Dempsey, in his prime he was as relentless as they get, especially against awkward fighters who could hit. Ken Norton fits into that category quite well. Tagging Dempsey with something hard, which Kenny probably will in his own awkward way, only warms him up more. And God help you if you hit Dempsey hard enough to make him forget where he is. You do not want him fighting in animal mode! My guess is the Mauler mauls him and I don't envision a long fight.

 

Dempsey was too mercurial. Ken would make it 2 rounds at the outside, but by the end of the 1st the writing would be on the wall.

And I'm a HUGE fan of Norton, love him.

 

I think Dempsey blasts him out in 2 or 3 rounds.

 

I'd agree the Willard fight is the best performance of Dempsey we have on film, and likely his best overall. Dempsey himself said he was at his best for it. But I don't think Willard was the best opponent he beat.

True Miske was only a Light Heavyweight, but he actually has a pretty good record at heavyweight with a number of good wins.

I agree Dempsey's record in underwhelming. I could see either winning this, though I'd probably lean towards Dempsey, because I think his iron chin and power are beyond doubt. I don't have a problem with someone picking Norton though.

I think you're one of the best posters here, but felt I needed to push back against a few things there.

 

I think that Gibbons could beat Quarry and Young. He was outstanding boxer, even if undersized.

 

Norton wouldn’t be ready for the intensity Jack would offer.

 

Agreed! Willard really does not have any big wins other than Johnson if I recall correctly. Carpentier, Miske, and Sharkey and probably some of Dempsey's best wins.

Thank you sir. It's been a great discussion.

 

Wow. You will get heavy pushback from the devoted Quarry fanbase.

 

Yeah, I know that

Quarry was excellent against slower fighters who wanted to stop him. Gibbons was way too sophisticated defensively for him in my opinion and it's not like Quarry was a giant next to him.

 

Absolutely. Young and Quarry did drop fights to guys Gibbons would beat.