Lennox Lewis vs Jack Dempsey

you really think so? I would think Dempsey's right hand landing on such a small guy like Lennox would be impossible to absorb- the numerous times it would land.

 

As a general rule yes, and it's a matter of physics that a 170lb boxer with a good chin can handle a punch from say a prime Duran, better than 140lb with a good chin. meaning someone's weight definately influences their ability to take a punch, if they are in shape and have good chins. This is one of many reasons they have weight divisions. Presumably all things being equal the heavier guy can throw punches harder and take them better than the equally talented smaller guy.

 

Do people still buy this thinking? Maybe in 1932. Dempsey looked like **** against so many guys who would pass as lightheavies or cruisers in today's game. How is going to hold up against a true super-heavy with long amateur and pro pedigree (not a soft, lazy Kansas farmhand)?

Dempsey gets caught leaning over with an uppercut, counted out in the 3rd.

 

Dempsey by TKO...

 

This Lewis gives any heavyweight a REAL fight - when Lewis was young and quick and had that little bit of arrogance and swagger and really had something to prove, when he knew he was in deep - he was lethal

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nhiIvcHvtk[/ame]

This Dempsey feasted on massive heavyweight who, compared to him just didn't have the speed and the ability to cope with a fearsome man with that kind of speed and merciless attack - Dempsey took advantage of the slightest opening anyone gave him and times Lewis could be a bit hesitant - and here against a relative novice he had some very shaky moments

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcFtcyKVCaI&feature=related[/ame]

Lewis was not infallible and was certainly there to be tagged on enough occassions as this clip shows

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIRShCBKwng[/ame]

This Dempsey would be on Lewis like no one Lewis ever experienced

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wxHY3p9DiQ[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvCHk_kKpVI[/ame]

 

Against Ruddock, compare Lewis' jab relative to Willard's. Also note how the first round ended, when Ruddock tried coming in in a crouched position.

Dempsey's one of my all time favourite fighters, but he's simply outmatched by the skilled superheavyweight.

 

I love Dempsey, also, but the way he squares up when he bobs in and the way he is off balance after so many of his right hands just spells an early night for anyone who can control the distance against him

 

Put 5oz horsehair gloves on Lewis and I'd worry for Dempseys health, I'm serious.

 

I'm a mad Dempsey fan, love the guy, a great American institution, but sadly, I can't see him beating Lennox of the grat jab, uppercut and clu.bbing right

 

Look ESB how fast a young Dempsey was ? This was only a rtaining session with Bill Tate so Dempsey's great left-hook was not meant to land,but you can see the power torque behind that hook. Dempsey moved as fast as a welterweight it was said by writers of the day, and watching this sparring session ,we can see why ! Folks ,compare this Dempsey sparring in his prime before the 3 year layoff,and age took it's toll when we see the
slow movements of the Tunney bouts. This Dempsey on this clip,may very well have been the best heavyweight ever H2H. Lithe, taut,fast and
powerful. He had it all as the polls that voted him the best heavyweight ever in the 1950s....His motto simply, kill or be killed. A rough and tough SOB...

 

Again, I love Dempsey, have read at least 10 books on or by him... but here I also see a smallish guy who squares up way too much, overcommits to his punches and gets off balance with most of those right hands. He had a great left hook, no doubt, but often let it hang out to dry and was begging for counter rights.

Great fighter... for his time.

 

But this dosn't necisarily hold true when comparing superheavyweights to 200lb fighters.

Does any superheavyweight from the 30s take a better punch than Paulino Uzcdun or punch harder than Max Baer?

Does any from the 90s take a better punch than Evander Holyfield or punch harder than Earnie Shavers?

The usual assumptions about size confering improvment do break down somewhat past 200lbs.

 

I find people who use Dempseys problems against smaller hgeavyweights are a little disingenuous in their agegument.

He might have had problems with some light heavyweights, but the fact remains that Fred Fulton, Carl Morris and Jess Willard did not last a combined total of four rounds against him.

Which do you think is more important in assesing this stylisticc dynamic?

 

Dempsey poroved his ability to take a punch from a guy Lewis's size with those 5oz gloves.

There is actualy much more uncertainty about how Lewis could take a shot from said gloves.