Jack Johnson vs Jack Dempsey

[IamInuit]

Who knows, Johnson was as tough as they come in his prime and so was Dempsey who destroyed Willard. Granted Johnson was way past his prime when Willard beat him, but it does make you think that the Mananas Mauler would have had a punchers chance. This is one of those fights that boxing fans have already debated for the last 90 plus years.

Good thread.

Willard was a tree trunk with a tad of new growth flailing in the wind. Dempsey ducked Langford and just about anybody else with a different shade. Greb was the only one over that time frame the crossed the colour barrier. Btw Dempsey ducked him also.

[Mars_ax]

Who knows, Johnson was as tough as they come in his prime and so was Dempsey who destroyed Willard. Granted Johnson was way past his prime when Willard beat him, but it does make you think that the Mananas Mauler would have had a punchers chance. This is one of those fights that boxing fans have already debated for the last 90 plus years.

Good thread.

Willard was a tree trunk with a tad of new growth flailing in the wind. Dempsey ducked Langford and just about anybody else with a different shade. Greb was the only one over that time frame the crossed the colour barrier. Btw Dempsey ducked him also.

I'm not so sure Dempsey ducked anyone, perhaps it was Tex Richard and Jack Kearns who thought that these might be a high risk, low financial reward fights when Dempsey was champion. I'd like to believe that Jack would fight anyone they put in front of him, whether or not he would have won is a different story. Dempsey says as much in his many bios, but who really knows.

[Vendettos]

Johnson wins, I've never rated Dempsey very highly.

[imp]

Johnson wins, I've never rated Dempsey very highly.

I agree.

Also the comment about johnson holding back in the majority of fights is true. He could have been killed anytime as he was so hated in and out of the ring.

[Master]

It would have been interesting to see how Jack Johnson adjusted to the 12-15 rounds and standing in the corner, which Dempsey forgot to do, I am sure it would have actually been easier for him.

[IamInuit]

It would have been interesting to see how Jack Johnson adjusted to the 12-15 rounds and standing in the corner, which Dempsey forgot to do, I am sure it would have actually been easier for him.

Yup. He blew the Tunney fight and he was the one that asked for the new neutral corner rule.

[Master]

It would have been interesting to see how Jack Johnson adjusted to the 12-15 rounds and standing in the corner, which Dempsey forgot to do, I am sure it would have actually been easier for him.

Yup. He blew the Tunney fight and he was the one that asked for the new neutral corner rule.

LOL dumb move you would have thought he would have remembered!

What about a peak Dempsey v Tunney?

[Ubertroy]

Johnson would have been motivated and prepared for Dempsey. But that would not have been enough. Even during his prime, which was actually before he won the title, Johnson would have his hands full against an aggressive prime Dempsey. Styles make fights and, while Johnson could certainly outbox Dempsey, he would always have trouble with Dempsey's aggressive style.
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A fight at this time would have been much like Tyson v Holmes. The wiser Johnson would use his skill to ward Dempsey off early. But Johnson would never be able to keep it up. Dempsey would break through at some point in time and put an end to the matter.
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Dempsey by KO in 4.
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If both met during their respective primes, in 3 separate scenarios, I see Johnson taking the series 2/3, winning two on points and Dempsey one by KO.

[X]

Dempsey was a monster. Lived as a hobo, would fight guys for pennies in tough mining towns, went for the kill and liked hurting people. A real force of nature.

But, Johnson was a fighter 100 years ahead of his time. Big guy, always conditioned and learnt how to box properly from a very early age. Fought all the time, massive ego and ballsy too.

i think Johnson weathers an early storm and then dominates to stop Dempsey later on.

[Ron Swanson]

Johnson would have been motivated and prepared for Dempsey. But that would not have been enough. Even during his prime, which was actually before he won the title, Johnson would have his hands full against an aggressive prime Dempsey. Styles make fights and, while Johnson could certainly outbox Dempsey, he would always have trouble with Dempsey's aggressive style.
.
A fight at this time would have been much like Tyson v Holmes. The wiser Johnson would use his skill to ward Dempsey off early. But Johnson would never be able to keep it up. Dempsey would break through at some point in time and put an end to the matter.
.
Dempsey by KO in 4.
.

If both met during their respective primes, in 3 separate scenarios, I see Johnson taking the series 2/3, winning two on points and Dempsey one by KO.

Made a comment that made no sense, my bad

Didn’t realize you were talking about old Holmes like Mike beat and Old Johnson as he would be vs Dempsey

[El Kabong]

Well if Tunney had a relatively easy time with Dempsey then you'd have to figure prime for prime a larger true heavyweight with slick boxing prowess would do Dempsey in regardless of how prepared Dempsey was.


Both fighters are tough and strong and had great careers but styles make fights and I don't think Dempsey could catch Johnson, I don't think Johnson would allow for it. Now in Dempsey's pomp and when Johnson was older, I stand by my assertion that Dempsey does the older slower more worn down Johnson in by KO.

Earlier in the thread I listed the tale of the tape here's that info again:

Jack Johnson
Height: 6'1 1/2
Weight: circa 205
Reach: 74"

Jack Dempsey
Height: 6'1
Weight: circa 190
Reach: 77"

[Master]

Jack Johnson
Height: 6'1 1/2
Weight: circa 205
Reach: 74"

That is incredible statistics for a heavyweight over 100 years ago.

As X said truly ahead of his time.

These equivalent dimension now would be an athletic and skillful 7ft and 300lb champion now.