In What Year Of Dempsey's Reign Did Wills Most Deserve His Shot?

Thing is Dempsey signed to fight Wills three times. (1922, 1925 and 1926). Why sign three separate contracts if there is no intent to fight? The details appear to show the intent was there.

The 1925 contract is called fake or a sham by some but I have correspondence from Dempsey the day Fitzgibbons reneged paying him the contracted $125,000 and he was pissed! “Either Fitzgibbons comes up with the money or the fight is off!”

But Dempsey does NOT call the fight off. He could have since a contracted sum was not paid. Instead he signs a third contract!

A Chicago Consortium steps in and I have another letter from Dempsey where he states he has “never seen a more confused situation” and “I signed a contract with Fitzgibbons and no one else”. The Chicago Consortium renegotiates the 1925 contract and both fighters separately signed this new (and third) contract in March of 1926. That summer the promoter contacts Dempsey asking him to have a physical for insurance purposes. Dempsey responds “I’m far too busy training for my bout with Tunney…..you know you don’t have a contract”. (Dempsey
and his lawyers contention was that no contract ever existed as he was never paid the contracted sum of $125,000 for the 1925 contract signing nor another contracted sum for signing the 1926 contract).

Dempsey lost to Tunney. Wills lost to Sharkey and that was that. Or was it?

1931 Dempsey is sued for breach of contract. Dempsey wins the case when he stands up angrily during the trial shouting “I’ll fight Wills right now!” The judge stop the trial asking the plaintiff if they would agree to Dempseys proposal. They agreed. Judge asks the jury to come back with a verdict in Dempseys favor as if both parties follow through the contract will be fulfilled.

Here things grow cold. No mention of this proposed bout anywhere.

1932 the Chicago Consortium appeals the verdict and the appellate judge rules that the case can be retried. No mention, not a word, within the appellate judges decision regarding how the trial ended/the proposed fight.

The case was never retried. I found a couple of small articles dated the day of the appellate judges ruling claiming Dempsey had to pay $100,000 court costs. Although the appellate judges ruling provided what cost categories could and could not be reimbursed no specific $ figures were given. It’s a mystery where this $100,000 number came from.