What if Jack Dempsey took no layoff?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by BoxingFanOfIranianDescent, Nov 22, 2022.


  1. BoxingFanOfIranianDescent

    BoxingFanOfIranianDescent Tony Galento was an African American boxer. banned Full Member

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    We all know Jack Dempsey had a period of inactivity from 1923-1926 (He actually announced retirement in 24'). During that time, he lived a high life, becoming a Hollywood sensation and public figure. This layoff (and to some extent age) severely affected Dempsey's fighting ability as seen during his very one-sided loss against Gene Tunney, who had fought 18 times during the time Dempsey was inactive. Not only did it impact his ability, but it hastened his career and as such his overall legacy. What if Dempsey fought consistently until the Tunney Fight? In this scenario, we will not include Harry Wills as a possible matchup, as Dempsey signed for the Wills bout twice in 24' and 25', stopped by Tex Rickard and Will's manager voiding the contract respectively.
    Who would Dempsey fight in this period? In 1924 a rematch with Gibbons was possible. Considering Jack was willing to break the color line when he agreed to fight Wills, could he have ended up fighting Godfrey? Does he meet the upcoming Sharkey earlier? How do bouts with Renault, Gorman, and Maloney go? How could a potential Greb bout come around?

    Perhaps my biggest question is if Dempsey stayed consistently active against top contenders through this period, would he have been able to fend off the crafty, young Gene Tunney? While he still would be past his best, his reflexes and ability would have diminished far less than in the real timeline.

    What are yall's thoughts? Any other interesting contenders or events that could transpire? If Dempsey manages to fend off Tunney, how long does his reign last?
     
    BoxingFanOfIranianDescent, Nov 22, 2022
    BoxingFanOfIranianDescent, Nov 22, 2022
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  2. klompton2

    klompton2 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    If you are going to post something like this at least get your facts straight before setting up your premise.
     
    klompton2, Nov 22, 2022
    klompton2, Nov 22, 2022
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  3. Hannibal Barca

    Hannibal Barca Active Member Full Member

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    Layoff or not, Tunney had Dempsey's number. He studied him for years. This and his superior footwork, range control, and clinching I think would always be too much to overcome. Dempsey won just one round out of the twenty with Tunney. If we change your question to how a prime Dempsey would fare against Tunney, then it gets more interesting.
     
    Hannibal Barca, Nov 22, 2022
    Hannibal Barca, Nov 22, 2022
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  4. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    Considering a past prime, rusty Dempsey nearly knocked Tunney out, and Tunney himself expressed doubt he'd survive Dempsey's follow up attack without those few extra precious seconds, I doubt Tunney had Dempsey's number.
     
    swagdelfadeel, Nov 22, 2022
    swagdelfadeel, Nov 22, 2022
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  5. surfinghb

    surfinghb Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Thats simply a crock of **** .... Tunney didnt even have Grebs number ... . JD knocks him the **** out ... and thats what those fights showed you ..... a half second quicker and its over ... and thats what a long lay off gets you
     
    surfinghb, Nov 22, 2022
    surfinghb, Nov 22, 2022
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  6. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    That was Dempsey best filmed combination maybe his best ever. Tunney was on position to get up and looking at the ref on the count of four. IMO he could have gotten up sooner than he did and showed he had his legs when he got up.

    Dempsey wasn’t fighting Wills. He may not fight Greb either. But with three years he would have fought at least two more contenders.
     
    Mendoza, Nov 23, 2022
    Mendoza, Nov 23, 2022
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  7. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    Before being properly informed on Dempsey there was a time when I might’ve thought Tunney held substantive stylistic advantages over the Mauler..

    That was a long time ago and I don’t feel that way now.

    Dempsey wasn’t just inactive from 23-26 but also from 21-23 prior to that. Inactivity and new found lifestyle otherwise, Dempsey was well beyond his prime vs Tunney.

    While Tunney studied Jack, Jack’s deteriorations were actually factored into the formula to beat him.

    In some ways, a bit similar to Leonard’s strategy, several years in the making which also accounted for and factored in the decline in Hagler’s game.
     
    Pugguy, Nov 23, 2022
    Pugguy, Nov 23, 2022
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  8. BoxingFanOfIranianDescent

    BoxingFanOfIranianDescent Tony Galento was an African American boxer. banned Full Member

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    Good points, even Tunney admitted he had planned on waiting to challenge knowing Dempsey was inactive
     
    BoxingFanOfIranianDescent, Nov 27, 2022
    BoxingFanOfIranianDescent, Nov 27, 2022
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  9. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    As Mick told Rocky Balboa, the worst thing that could happen to a fighter is ,you became civilized. When Tunney came along Jack was no longer the savage fighting anyone out west to get money for food. Dempsey became a star, rich ,well known, idolized in movies he really did lose his ,,,,Eye of the Tiger.
     
    Reinhardt, Nov 30, 2022
    Reinhardt, Nov 30, 2022
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