What was your first thought when seeing Dempsay Willard for the first time?

I'd read about it many times, but nothing could prepare me for what I saw. I was shocked, even although I knew the rules.

My first thought was that modern heavyweights with a big punch would actually kill opponent (for real) if they were allowed to stand over them and hit them as soon as they "got-up".

Imagine Tyson standing over Frank Bruno.

 

I was busy watching dempsey shift weight and bob and weave with every blow, slamming willard and dominating him. I thought about how much he reminded me of a cruder, less sophisticated mike tyson, actually.

My first thought was really "goddamn, that is an ass whupping if I ever saw one."

 

Tyson did say "I am Jack Dempsey".

I didn't realize Muslims believed in reincarnation. :think

Or that you could be reincarnated before you're even dead.

 

He claimed he was Sonny Liston too.

 

Dempsey and Liston seem to be the two fighters he identifies with most.

 

My first thought - the first time I saw it was - no fighter I have ever seen would ever survive that - and then i probably said something to the effect of "he's just like Tyson!" to my dear old grandad

 

You obviously had not been introduced to Wlad Klitschko.

 

:rofl no this was 1987 - but if i had i would've probably said to my grandad - this guy would kill Klitschko!!:yikes

 

That Dempsey gave him a savage beating!!

 

Henry Maske also identified with both of those.

 

I was a kid when I saw it televised for the first time, and Pacheco was providing commentary, so all I heard was how ridiculous it was not to have a neutral corner rule, and allow a fighter to stand over a fallen opponent like that.

Years later, after I read a copy of "Championship Fighting," and had a videotape of Dempsey-Willard (both borrowed from a friend of my father's who had been a boxer), I was able to understand and appreciate what I was seeing properly. (It further helped that I'd also seen how Willard lifted the title from Johnson by then, and how he later stood up to Firpo for several rounds, so I knew it was a tough customer who was getting battered in Toledo.)

 

The first time I watched it I was enjoying it and impressed. Later as I learnt more I saw weaknesses I didn't first think of, but watching his fights for the first time was exciting, must have been way more so live.

 

My first thought was "This is awsome!!!" I had just started boxing and was watching it with my trainer and a sparring partner. My trainer said "youre already better than both of these guys..." and walked away. I dont agree with what my trainer says but it illustrates the divide in opinions on old vs modern. I think one has to watch the old films with a careful eye and take into account the crude filming techniques and age damaged film as well.

 

I thought Willard was kinda old and out of shape. On top of all trhat I never thought Willard was that good to begin with. I thought Dempsey was prime. I also thought Dempsey was quick, had a good workrate, and was very powerful for his size.

 

I was just learning how to talk when I first saw the fight though... LOL