The Famous S.I. Article by Kearns on the loaded gloves

willards cheekbone was at least caved in. willard never went to the doctor. as far as a bolt some refferred to ,or cigar shaped object, that was just sweat and or water from willard when he was sitting on the canvas after the last kd down. kearns jr said his father made the whole thing up .

 

This could be self-serving on Dempsey's part, though. Kearns handled the money and the bet came from Dempsey's end. Dempsey admitting he knew about the bet might have increased suspicions.

I must say that Dempsey running out of the ring so quickly is suspicious, although I don't see how the gloves could have been loaded.

*leaving the ring quickly does make some sense if Dempsey knew about the bet and hoped to make certain the fight would not continue.

 

What an idiot. Dont you ever get tired of pigeon holing yourself in these unwinnable arguments? Yes, we realise that a photo is a snapshot in time. Thats exactly what it is. But the photos of Dempsey's wraps were taken in the ring. Unless you think that in the ring, with the cameras rolling, and under the watchful eye of Willard's second (who publicly stated that the gloves werent loaded), Dempsey's hands were encased in plaster before he slipped the gloves on and that somehow it hardened in the next 2 minutes. I swear you people that cling to these ridiculous myths are pathetic.

So what I wrote which is based on photographic evidence, film footage, and eye witness testimony would be thrown out of court in light of your supposition that Willard only shook Dempsey's right hand (which cant be seen on film so its entirely a figment of your fertile imagination). So you think Dempsey hid his left behind his back while Willard stood right in front of him or while Willard's second was witnessing his gloves being placed on? Thats your argument? Really?

 

Willard's cheekbone was not caved in.

 

according to willard it was by dempsey and invited others to feel it his cheekbone - jim murray did and said it was flattened . before and after photos of willards face of the dempsey fight show a lopsided look. murrays article and interview with willard was a good one

 

Here are Joe Chip's words. Chip was one of Willard's sparring partners for the Dempsey fight. He rode back to their cottage with Willard immediately after the fight and was there with him until he left. This interview was given by Joe to the local New Castle paper in July (I didnt mark the date on this clipping) of 1919:

"Willard was not beaten up so badly. His right jaw was pretty well bunged up but not broken. His right eye was closed and his stomach was a little red, but this was nothing. He lost no teeth and so far I did not see anything about his condition to warrant the services of an ambulance - even though he was whipped to a frazzle."

Two hours after the fight Willard said to Joe:

"I only hope that Dempsey makes as much money as I did out of the title and I hope he holds on to it. I like Dempsey but I dont like the crowd he is with."

He also added:

"Well I got mine but dont care, I gave it to many myself."

How many times have we heard a guy immediately after losing his title be gracious and sunny only to change his tune and start looking for any excuse under the sun as to why he lost as soon as reality sets in? The bottom line is Dempsey didnt cheat to beat Willard. Willard wasnt nearly as battered as the hyperbole that has been written down since, BUT stories of shady dealings and inhuman amounts of punishment absorbed are lot more ***y. People will believe what they want is the bottom line.

 

guess so

 

Some interesting reading here. Really enjoyed it.

 

Here is the article that started it all. Ive never reprinted this and I dont think its ever been reprinted anywhere since it was first published:

This dates from December 1920 or January 1921 (I didnt write the date on this clipping either).

TIMELY NEWS AND VIEWS IN THE FIELD OF SPORT

Hyatt Daab

"When I handled Kid McCoy I used to bandage his hands with a certain kind of adhesive tape. As as he drew on the gloves the tape hardened, and as a result he was able to inflict unusual punishment. I wound Dempsey's hands with the same kind of bandages. They became hardened, no doubt, and that is why he cut Willard's face to ribbons." -Jimmy De Forest, Dempsey's trainer, in an interview.

 

Clam down. First we agree the photo for lack of a better word means jack.

Now, who shakes hands with their left? NO ONE. So how would Willard notice if Dempsey had something in his left? He would not. You mentioned WIllard would notice.

I say he would not. If its in you, simply admit your wrong on this small point.

Just because Willard had a corner man looking at the wraps does not rule out the possibility of something being put in there before or afterwords. That, and Dempsey's odd behavior ( 1st round KO bet, and running out of the ring ) adds fuel to the fire of foul play.

Loaded gloves happens in modern times with corner inspections! See the Margarito match.

 

It appears that you're going to believe what you want to believe, but based on all that I've read about this, including the SI article by Keans, and a book called 'A Flame of Pure Fire" I would say that it's more likely than not that the gloves were NOT loaded.

 

What?! Margarito got caught! He got caught because of the inspection because a cornerman was there when it happened!

The whole point of the pre fight handshake wasnt a gentlemanly gesture, it was specifically to test the hand wraps. Thats why in the old photos and films you will see the fighters shake hands with one hand and grasp with the other. It doesnt matter though, youre just being ignorant now and proving that you want to believe what you want to believe. If you want to believe the sky is purple nobody can change your opinion. Enjoy being ignorant.