If Dempsey Had Kod Tunney..?

He might have continued to fight until somebody else comes out and takes the title away from him and beat him a second time in the rematch.

 

This.

 

He retires. Then it’s just like the real timeline. But after a couple of years probably gets offered a big payday against either Jack Sharkey or Max Schmeling whoever holds the title at the time. He was used to long periods of inactivity between fights so would think he can come back after a couple of years gap. But gets outpointed and retires for good. Everything else stays the same except he the first to regain it.

 

This sounds very plausible. In real time he did embark on an ambitious exhibition tour in the early 30s, probably testing the waters to see if he could fight himself into condition and contention for a challenge at the title. In Max Schmeling's autobiography he tells of sparring with Dempsey when Max was champion and Dempsey rushing out and knocking him down. Evidently after meeting Kingfish Levinsky in an exhibition match in 1932 that did not go so well, the exhibition tour virtually ended. But then again in 1940 he boxed a couple exhibitions, scoring a KO over Cowboy Luttrell, so he didn't abandon the ring completely. In between he worked with Max Baer, and promoted fights. He kept an active interest in the sport, but I believe he knew that his championship days were behind him.

 

The roaring twenties would not be roaring, I do think that Jack Dempsey would have been held in a higher regard. And his restaurant would have been booming.

 

The long count, much like No Mas for Duran was the greatest thing to happen to Dempsey. The sorrow of the fans believing he was ripped off along with Jacks humble acceptance of his fate elevated him to a pantheon he never have reached.
Just as Duran's quest for redemption superimposed vs Leonards deceptive and tricks raised Roberto in the end.

 

Or...something similar to what happened in Lewiston happens. Somebody tells the referee that Tunney was counted out by the Time Keeper and the Referee declares Dempsey the winner by knockout.

In that case, I think it would be money offers that would dictate what Jack does from there. If there was a big money fight available, I think Jack would have convinced himself that he could get back into prime form for it. I doubt if there would have been a Tunney - Dempsey 3. I don't see big bucks available for Sharkey either. Maybe Schmeling eventually. Or maybe they could have found a promoter to get Dempsey - Wills together finally, assuming they could get that done before Wills fought Sharkey.

 

I doubt it. Around this time Wills was stopped by Paulino Uskadon(pardon the spelling). He was past his prime. I think if they fought Dempsey has enough to stop Wills but gets nothing out of this fight as it’s years from when it should of happened. Anyway Jack wouldn’t get any financial or other incentive to fight Wills.