this could go either way but I think Dempsey was great and JJW lost to the 2 great fighters that he fought but he had the style to trouble or outpoint JD, IMO Dempsey pulls it out after getting dropped and behind but a top form JJW could upset any of the ATG on a good night
The Jack Dempsey that obliterated Jess Willard in the first round [yes I said the 1st rd] would very much likely ko the JJ Walcott [who I saw and admired] who was stopped by lumbersome Abe Simon in 1940 in 6 rounds...Only on ESB is Dempsey so sadly regarded H2H in his prime...Dempsey's name is like a red flag to a bull on ESB...Some fans when they think of Dempsey have a picture of the 32 year old rusty fighter fighting the razor sharp Tunney after a 3 year layoff without ONE tuneup fight...Shame. I an oldtimer remember the best fighter I ever saw ringside Ray Robinson in his WW prime. Years later after a 3 year layoff ,SRR fought a tough trial horse Ralph Tiger Jones who gave Robinson a bad lacing but smart boxing fans of the day knew in their hearts not to diminish the legacy of Robinson. Dempsey at his best was a great heavyweight who was tremendously fast and agile for a HW, with great 2 handed power, a top chin tucked in his chest and the roughest and toughest infighter of all the heavyweights...There was a reason JD was the greatest drawing card in boxing history. And yes I regard JJ Walcott as a threat to any HW when he was at the top of his game. A helluva fighter and a fine gentleman who I saw upset a great young punching sensation Tommy Gomez at the old MSG in 1946...
My first introduction to boxing history was as a kid. I remember opening a book and thumbing through its pages. I stopped upon coming across this picture of this menacing dark unshaven man scowling back at me with a furrowed brow and a cold unfeeling look in his eyes. I thought at that moment what a terrifying presence he must have been looking at you from across the ring impatiently waiting for the bell to ring so he could unleash his fury on you. I read how he stalked opponents on the ***** of his feet like an Indian. Stalking his opponents with a speed and ferocity then unseen to that point in heavyweights. How his punches were thrown short, fast and with devastating effect. It was reading about Jack Dempsey as a kid that got me hooked on boxing. Prime for prime, Dempsey KO's Walcott inside 7.
Walcott was a terrific fighter...but...if...as Burt said...it's the Dempsey of the Willard fight in 1919...forget it...KO...KO...KO. Dempsey in his prime was a killer.