Joe Louis' five largest purses....

I think with the new guard of Dempsey dieing out or all ready dead, its pretty easy to forget that Jack Dempsey was a major star, he is consider the FIRST SUPERSTAR of the ring, and that includes the likes of Sullivan and Johnson. No one was able to draw in a crowd like Dempsey did.
Non of Joe Louis's title fights, even the Schemling rematch drew in the crowd like Firpo, Carp and Tunney. Even a non title fight like Jack Sharkey made a million at the gate.

I think only the Baer fight made a million about. Sure if we compare Louis to say Corbett or even Sullivan in regards to purses, than ok, But when a Dempsey fight was stage, it was a whole other level in regards to money. Dempsey's star at the TIME, was bigger than Louis. Only in recent times, did Louis surpase Dempsey in stardom.

 

Perhaps in this regard, BUT EVEN THAN, the Dempsey Tunney fights drew in more people than Louis Schmeling, sure they may watch the fight in a movie house, but the major money is lived at the fight. They didnt watch it, they heard it on the radio.

The lived in crowd is the thing that parts the million $ gates from Joe Louis and Dempsey. And no the rematch with Schmeling did not draw in a million.

 

Dollar amounts is only half the story. The US economy in 1938 was in no where near the shape that it was in the 1920's. America was in horrible economic shape during the 30's. Besides, what does money have to do with popularity? Who cares if millions of poor Americans were listening to the fights on the radio rather than showing up in fancy white hats and pretty dressess at an outdoor arena??? This is about stardom, not about spending money at an over priced event.

 

Still, Louis was unable to draw the crowds that Dempsey command. I give Dempsey booste in "Stardom" power in this regards.

All of Dempsey title's fights OUTSIDE of Gibbions and Brennen, were Million $ gates. Louis could not have drew in a crowd like Dempsey did. There is a reason Dempsey was paid more, He was able to draw in larger crowds, that not even Babe Ruth could do. That has to count for something.

 

-30% managers cut; -10% trainers cut; -10% Braddocks cut; -training expenses; -Tax... oh wait, he tended not to pay that; but looking at his over heads you can to a point understand why!