Is Jack Dempsey a Top 10 Heavyweight All-Time?

An Absolute Top 10.
6-10

 

I have Dempsey as my No. 3 as well, but I don't see how he places above Louis, unless we're going on purely head to head terms.

 

In general when comparing past greats I think we do have to give a bit more credit to the earlier generations.
For example nutritional benefits in training the body alone was virtually undiscovered until the 1950's.

The list of what the earlier guys in all sports did not have the benefits of could run a mile long, the simple fact of the matter is that they would have been better had they had the technology.

 

11-15 for me.

 

I think you make good sense most of the time McVey, but Dempsey ahead of Louis? For me, Louis is nr. 2 without even a slight hesitation. Dempsey doesn't even make my top 10.

 

Also consider demspey vs Sharkey was controversial. Dempsey intellionally hit sharkey in the balls because sharkey was going to knock him out, and had won nearly every round up to that point.

 

I don't see rating the old-timers higher with lesser accomplishments, if that is what you are arguing. After all, they built their records against other fighters from the same era.

 

floyd fitzsimmons check bounced was the first reason the fight didnt happen against wills when dempsey pleaded with rickard to arrange the fight ,(the only promoter dempsey trusted),although rickard vowed to never put on another (colored/white match) rickard stated that the big wigs of new york were rickard had promoting rights stated they would not allow the match.dempsey new and stated he could have easily had taken the slow wills but because of everyone except dempsey ruined an easy defense its thrown up all the time-give it a rest,yes he was inactive as the champion wich was not his choice either but the fact remains dempsey was if not the greatest fighter of alltime at least within the top 5

 

They were old, but still near their best. Walcott on film put on a fine performance, as did Charles. It was only after the fight that he went downhill. Moore compiled a record of 45-1 1 in the six years leading up to the Marciano bout, defeating several top opponents.


How many opponents that were in their prime did Dempsey beat? Fulton who can't hold a candle to any of the former listed, and Firpo, dito, who nearly stopped Dempsey. Sharkey, same story.

They only one who comes close is Tunney, who thoroughly dominated Dempsey twice. And his heavyweight resume, outside of Dempsey (circular reasoning...) is as thinner than Willie Pep.


Someone who holds the all time heavyweight & pound for pound record still after nearly 100 years have passed for most blatant duck job of the #1 contender has no business in the top5. Disgracing and deflating the value of the championship is not something i reward in an historic sense.

 

Dempsey was like Tyson, Duran and Liston a natural fighter, they are a rare breed but are easy to recognize.

 

Comment on yours,Marciano and Lewis way too high ,but thats what makes this site ,what would be the point of it if we all concurred?

 

Sharkey looked terrific,in this fight ,imo. Dempsey in his autobiography said he thought Sharkey was going to ko him.But credit Dempsey,after being outboxed and jabbed to death by Tunney ,taking on as dangerous a fight as Sharkey in an eliminator to face Tunney.

 

We are ,or at least I am ,I think Dempsey kos Louis early.