Would Dempsey do better against Foreman than Marciano or Frazier would?

Does this version of Dempsey cross the color line?

 

Not that they were necessarily similar, but I guess Marciano and Frazier shared greater similarities between them - so that puts Dempsey on his own, framing him as a somewhat different consideration. In the first 4-5 rounds I agree that Dempsey might well do better than the other two, -

 

Well Dempsey was faster and more explosive. Arguably the more powerful combination puncher too. He's a fast start with good head movement and counter punching skills.

But on the other hand, Dempsey's stamina wasn't in the league of Frazier or Marciano. Not that I think any of these guys would go the distance with Foreman. Frazier was probably the better body puncher, and Marciano had a better overhand right.

Overall, I think Dempsey's chances would be a little higher than these two. The first 2 rounds would be absolutely crazy because Dempsey really presses the issue at full throttle when the bell rings, and Foreman hates being crowded taking ring center and pushing guys back. I still think Dempsey gets KOd within 4 or less tho.

 

Yes for sure Dempsey was much quicker and explosive that Rocky or Joe, Dempsey has a legit shot here.

 

At 180 something pounds, I don't see Dempsey standing up to a 6'3 225 pound beast like Foreman. Before someone points out that Jess Willard was bigger than Foreman, I don't care because Jess Willard wouldn't last a minute against Big George.

 

I’d wager Marciano does the best of them all. Think Dempsey would just fight George’s fight.

 

Jess Willard stops Foreman late. Foreman blows his load early, Willard using his size and strength wrestles and clinches Foreman's stamina away and then in the late rounds, lowers the boom.

 

The Wild Bull/Thug of the Fifth Ward?

 

What, you don’t think Jess takes him out early with the deadly Bull Young uppercut?

Jess was like Bugner, somewhat passive, but when he got his country boy gander up….look out!

Then again, I guess I can see Jess playing rope a dope for 25 rounds in the hot Havana sun before slaying the wilting carcass before him.

 

Yes. I don't think he'd win but he could at least attempt to be the Ron Lyle here. Frazier and Marciano just cannot win this fight fighting the way they do. Dempsey if we look at things rosy might have a path.

Whatever you think of Willard and Firpo Dempsey took out Fred Fulton and Morris too.

 

Jack Johnson of the brilliant smaller HWs of his era was notable for having the least power. Thats why Willard was in the fight 25 rounds in. Johnson was shutting Willard out 25-0. With Foreman thats a 2 round contest. If Dempsey and Firpo could take out Willard theres no reason to think Foreman can't.

Theres no proof Foreman had stamina issues. The Ali fight went the way it did because Foreman fell apart mentally not physically. Foremans a man who went 12 his final 4 fights in his late 40s. While 2nd career Foreman went 3-3 in 12 rounders he won all 6 12th rounds. With Tommy Morrison thats the only round he won but the point is he wasn't gassing he could have went an extra 3.

 

Dempsey's aggression and willingness to close the distance and fight in a phone box is his undoing here. Young George, and Old George stop him. Young George within 4 rounds, Old George gives him a methodical beating and he is stopped around 10.

As ridiculous as this might sound, I don't think Jack has the power to gain Foreman's respect early and I dont think he has the stamina to trouble George late, certainly in the kind of fight this will be. It would be a Hobbsian epic, nasty brutish...and short.