Is Jack Dempsey the most overrated fighter of all time

Yes and no. Physically Dempsey was a two fisted power puncher with great speed and enough range to fight a bigger man. Dempsey was deadly as an out or in-fighter. His chin was pretty good, and he sparked much bigger fighters with ease. Stamina and focus outside the ring were issues.

Dempsey's problem is he had a very short prime, too many un-even and bad performances, and never fought Wills or Greb.

So over rated in terms of accomplishments I say yes. Maybe a bit under rated in terms of ability.

 

I always cringe when I hear that. All the great punchers, especially at HW, could whack with either hand. Tyson, Foreman, Liston, etc, etc... the rule is that a puncher can punch with the two fists, the ones that couldn't are exceptions or in most cases not great fighters to begin it anyway.

 

Schmeling,Frazier,Shavers,Morrison,****ey,Ruddock,?

 

And ME!! :happy. No.2 for me! :good

 

But they are not great! I said that.
(Except Frazier, a guy that could punch but I wouldn't call him a great puncher all things considered)

 

M, yes Dempsey had a short "prime" from the time he hooked up with Jack Kearns in 1917, til he went Hollywood in 1923...But pray tell me in that time what was his "bad" performances you throw in ? After all he won all his bouts in that period ? Tell me M what heavyweight you know including Louis and Ali looked terrific in all their bouts ? Name one M ? You can't truly...
Dempsey by most everyone who saw him at his peak was rated so highly compared to all other heavyweights H2H for a helluva good reason. These experts who saw Dempsey and his successors in the ring and rated him so highly knew a heck of a lot more than you and his naysayers on this forum could ever know relative to his high place in the heavyweight pantheon, of that I am certain. I have been watching and reading about boxing lore since the 1940s, and NOT UNTIL I started on ESB
6 years ago, have I heard such foolish and negative opinions of
the great Manassa Mauler. M, I am not including you in this
viral mix. cheers...

 

No. 42 for me!

 

The most obsessed about fighter on these boards definitely,he was terrific

 

Haha very good Shame-us :good:hi:

 

Just messing.:good

 

Frazier had a better right hand than hes given credit for.

 

yes but at ESB we like to take extra credit away first before we give it back second,,,,,,and Joe's right hand wasn't a dangerous weapon so it takes a back seat :bbb

 

It was a nice short punch but not a Joe Louis meat axe job.
I think Frazier's punch power is a bit overated anyway, what isn't overated is the way he could throw it reload, and throw it again ,and again,all night long.

 

Don't think I knew about him refusing to fight Jeanette in an exhibition match...Interesting.