Johnny Toetags
03-11-2005, 05:39 PM
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/BKDOTCOM/dempsey.jpg
?The Manassa Mauler? Jack Dempsey
Born in Manassa, CO
June 24, 1895
Dempsey was one of sports major sports figures during the 1920?s. To get an idea of his popularity, he was paid more for a single fight than Babe Ruth made in his entire career. He began boxing in small mining camps in Colorado under the name ?Kid Blackie?. He won the heavyweight championship in 1919 by brutally knocking out Jack Johnson conqueror Jess Williard. He brutalized the giant so badly that there was a long-standing controversy as to whether Dempsey used plaster on his gloves (nothing ever was proven).
In 1921, Dempsey would fight the skilled technical boxer and reigning light heavyweight champion Georges Charpentier in a fight some thought he could lose. It didn?t take long for Dempsey?s strength and pressure to catch up with the Frenchman and he was stopped in the 4th round.
Another of Dempsey?s famous bouts was against Luis Firpo (the Dempsey fight that Micky mentions in ?Rocky?). After being knocked down repeatedly in the first round, Firpo landed a haymaker on Dempsey and knocked him out of the ring. Dempsey survived to beat up and KO Firpo in the 2nd.
In his next fight, Dempsey would be confused by the slick boxing style of Gene Tunney and lost a decision. After stopping future heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey, Dempsey would rematch Tunney in an attempt to regain his title. This bout is home to the famous ?long count?. Dempsey dropped Tunney in the 7th and proceeded to hover over his downed opponent. The neutral corner rule had recently been instituted and the referee stopped the count in order to get Dempsey into the corner. This provided Tuney with a few extra seconds to recover. Although some wonder whether Tunney would have made it up, it appeared tat Tunney was very coherent and simply waiting for the count to continue while he rested. Tunney would go on to drop Dempsey and win another decision.
Dempsey?s story and style make for as much of his legend as his accomplishments in the ring. He was a hobo for a time and spoke about needing to survive beatings in fights in order to get the winner?s share of the purse because he hadn?t eaten in 2 days and was hungry. His compact frame and efficient punching made many marvel over his abilities. During the roaring 20?s he was an icon and a legendary ring warrior whose hard life made him one of the hardest fighter?s who ever lived.
Bio by BADrew. (http://www.bloodyknux.com/forum/member.php?u=68)
?The Manassa Mauler? Jack Dempsey
Born in Manassa, CO
June 24, 1895
Dempsey was one of sports major sports figures during the 1920?s. To get an idea of his popularity, he was paid more for a single fight than Babe Ruth made in his entire career. He began boxing in small mining camps in Colorado under the name ?Kid Blackie?. He won the heavyweight championship in 1919 by brutally knocking out Jack Johnson conqueror Jess Williard. He brutalized the giant so badly that there was a long-standing controversy as to whether Dempsey used plaster on his gloves (nothing ever was proven).
In 1921, Dempsey would fight the skilled technical boxer and reigning light heavyweight champion Georges Charpentier in a fight some thought he could lose. It didn?t take long for Dempsey?s strength and pressure to catch up with the Frenchman and he was stopped in the 4th round.
Another of Dempsey?s famous bouts was against Luis Firpo (the Dempsey fight that Micky mentions in ?Rocky?). After being knocked down repeatedly in the first round, Firpo landed a haymaker on Dempsey and knocked him out of the ring. Dempsey survived to beat up and KO Firpo in the 2nd.
In his next fight, Dempsey would be confused by the slick boxing style of Gene Tunney and lost a decision. After stopping future heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey, Dempsey would rematch Tunney in an attempt to regain his title. This bout is home to the famous ?long count?. Dempsey dropped Tunney in the 7th and proceeded to hover over his downed opponent. The neutral corner rule had recently been instituted and the referee stopped the count in order to get Dempsey into the corner. This provided Tuney with a few extra seconds to recover. Although some wonder whether Tunney would have made it up, it appeared tat Tunney was very coherent and simply waiting for the count to continue while he rested. Tunney would go on to drop Dempsey and win another decision.
Dempsey?s story and style make for as much of his legend as his accomplishments in the ring. He was a hobo for a time and spoke about needing to survive beatings in fights in order to get the winner?s share of the purse because he hadn?t eaten in 2 days and was hungry. His compact frame and efficient punching made many marvel over his abilities. During the roaring 20?s he was an icon and a legendary ring warrior whose hard life made him one of the hardest fighter?s who ever lived.
Bio by BADrew. (http://www.bloodyknux.com/forum/member.php?u=68)