Jack Dempsey's Left Hook vs. Joe Frazier's Left Hook

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by HomicideHenry, Feb 18, 2010.


  1. HomicideHenry

    HomicideHenry Many Talents, No Successes Full Member

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    There's much talk about Frazier's left hook; he dropped Ali in 1971, he blasted out Mathis and Ellis with that left hook, etc. But was it superior to Dempsey's left hook that was clocked at going 130mph? Dempsey's left hook kayoed Willard, Gibbons, Fulton, Morris, Sharkey and dropped Tunney.

    I want to see people's opinions on this. I guess the general opinion is that Frazier's is superior because he fought in the greatest era for heavyweights, however, Dempsey at no more than 188 pounds was rocking 6'6" 245 pound Willard, 6'5" 250 pound Fulton, and others all over the ring with ease.
     
    HomicideHenry, Feb 18, 2010
    HomicideHenry, Feb 18, 2010
    #1
  2. Hydraulix

    Hydraulix Left Hook From Hell.. Full Member

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    Frazier's left hook was more frequent; Dempsey's was a little faster. If you fight Frazier, expect to get knocked silly with that punch again and again until you submit. Crunching left hooks to the body and the head until you're owned.

    If you fight Dempsey, prepare to get KO'd by that left at any given moment.

    It's hard to say which left hook is better. I'm always alternating between the two. It's really a toss up.
     
    Hydraulix, Feb 18, 2010
    Hydraulix, Feb 18, 2010
    #2
  3. Son of Gaul

    Son of Gaul Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Frazier threw the left hook with such ferocity that you almost thought he was TRYING to do permanent harm to his opponent. Beautiful.
     
    Son of Gaul, Feb 19, 2010
    Son of Gaul, Feb 19, 2010
    #3
  4. Hydraulix

    Hydraulix Left Hook From Hell.. Full Member

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    And he did do permanent damage to some of his opponents. Jimmy Ellis, Muhammad Ali, and Jerry Quarry were never the same after that left hook. Frazier was a crippler.
     
    Hydraulix, Feb 19, 2010
    Hydraulix, Feb 19, 2010
    #4
  5. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    good post:good
     
    turpinr, Feb 19, 2010
    turpinr, Feb 19, 2010
    #5
  6. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I like Frazier, but it's like arguing 10 year Old Macallan and a 15 year old Dalwhinnie. It's what you like. Both are vintage.

    Dempsey's hook evolved around his ruleset as was natural. With less moulded gloves than a modern counterpart like Frazier, he used to "bite down" with his fist upon the point of impact, going from a loose glove to a very tight ball at the last possible second. The shovel.
     
    McGrain, Feb 19, 2010
    McGrain, Feb 19, 2010
    #6
  7. burt bienstock

    burt bienstock Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Good question...I saw Frazier/Ali MSG,1971...Night to remember...Frazier had a great left hook,but he needed space to throw his hook...Dempsey,in his prime Ko'd such 220 lb giants ,as Arthur Pelkey,Fred Fulton,Carl Morris,Jess Willard, in the first round with his lethal left hook...Yes Jess Willard Was dropped SEVEN times in the first round,should have been stopped then...Dempsey's could throw from a virtual clinch,left hooks,uppercuts,without space, with machine gun speed....Check it out with clips of Dempsey/Firpo,1923...Awesome stuff...What a young Dempsey ,pre Willard , must have looked like,when he ko'd 25 guys in the first round...Todays top heavies are seen time and time again in their great primes, but Dempsey's prime,except for a notREAL speed Willard fight,will never be seen on film...Shame and unfair to his legacy....
     
    burt bienstock, Feb 19, 2010
    burt bienstock, Feb 19, 2010
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  8. TheGreatA

    TheGreatA Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Dempsey had more power behind his hook, a terrific punch it was, but Frazier has the best left hook I've seen in the heavyweight division. By this I don't mean he had the hardest left hook by any means but the most effective. Was anyone ever able to nullify it?
     
    TheGreatA, Feb 19, 2010
    TheGreatA, Feb 19, 2010
    #8
  9. Hydraulix

    Hydraulix Left Hook From Hell.. Full Member

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    It was really clocked in at 130 mph? Any more info on this?
     
    Hydraulix, Feb 21, 2011
    Hydraulix, Feb 21, 2011
    #9
  10. di tullio

    di tullio Guest

    Foreman nullified it with constant pushing. :-(
     
    di tullio, Feb 21, 2011
    di tullio, Feb 21, 2011
    #10
  11. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    I dispute this. What technology was available in 20's to measure such a thing? And where exactly do you measure a 10 inch hook in its trajectory to get such a reading? I call simple country bull**** on this one.
     
    Seamus, Feb 21, 2011
    Seamus, Feb 21, 2011
    #11
  12. burt bienstock

    burt bienstock Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yes H, Dempsey got a ticket for speeding...
     
    burt bienstock, Feb 21, 2011
    burt bienstock, Feb 21, 2011
    #12