What If: JACK DEMPSEY vs. JOE LOUIS

i like this Hype Igoe guy,

“Joe Louis would have knocked out all of Jeffries crowd in one night. So would have Dempsey. Jeffries never saw the day he could punch like Dempsey or Louis.”

EDIT: spoke too soon

"Igoe is of the opinion that Jack Dempsey would "have nailed him (Louis) with a left hook and finished him in the first round."

 

Louis had a shaky chin, was way too slow coming out of the gate and had a real distaste for being pressured... three things you want to hear if you're Jack Dempsey. IMO, the most likely outcome is an early Dempsey KO but you can never dismiss a prime Bomber's chances in any contest.

 

Louis would win.

 

Excellent article.
Teddy Hayes fell out with Dempsey eventually so his opinion should be viewed with caution,imo.
I pick Dempsey and early, 2rds ko before Louis gets into his stride ,but the longer it went the better Joe's chances.

 

The term " Hype " came from Igoe. Don't take what he wrote too seriously.

I think Dempsey vs. Louis could go either way. I like Dempsey early, and Louis late. Though I do think Dempsey superior agility, and fast straiting ways would eventually spell doom for Louis, who was slower, not always a fast starter, and was there to be hit.

 

Why should we not take Igoe's words seriously? He was a very well respected sports writer, who saw many of the memorable battles of yore.
Igoe was ringside when Jeffries fought Fitz the second time,he stated that Fitz gave Jeffries the worst beating he ever saw one man inflict on another,worse even than the hiding Dempsey gave Willard.

Jeffries must indeed have been an " Iron Man" ,to walk through that and stop a Fitz whose hands had been wrecked on his head.

This content is protected

Igoe is shown here with the Baer brothers.

This content is protected

 

Dempsey could crowd Louis and catch him early, but then Louis's shorter punching and better finishing ability (in my opinion) might do the job as well. Ultimately I see both men probably hitting the canvas, with Louis coming out on top.

 

Louis destroys this chump

 

Geese Dempsey hit hard, I wonder who Tony Galento would have taken in this bout having been ko'd by both (Dempsey in a short gym workout). The Dempsey of the Williard bout was like a cat attacking, both with his feet and hands. Joe's my number 1 all time heavy but I favor Jack early in this go.

 

I Have always like Dempsey in this fight. Dempsey by KO.

 

I think it's 50/50. Dempsey can catch Louis cold just as easily as he can get sparked on the way in.