ack Dempsey—known as the "Manassa Mauler"—was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1919-26. IN THESE GROUPS
Famous People Named Dempsey Famous People Named Jack Famous People Born in Colorado Famous People Born on June 24
1 of 2 quotes “Honey, I forgot to duck.” —Jack Dempsey Synopsis
Jack Dempsey was born on June 24, 1895, in the Mormon village of Manassa, Colorado. As a boy, he worked as a farm hand, miner and cowboy and was taught to box by his older brother. Dempsey's early prize fights were in mining towns around Salt Lake City but on July 4, 1919, he beat Jess Willard "The Great White Hope," and became world heavyweight champion. He defended his title five times but lost to Gene Tunney in 1926. Dempsey died in 1983. Early Years
Born William Harrison Dempsey on June 24, 1895, in Manassa, Colorado, Jack Dempsey's parents, Hyrum and Celia Dempsey, were originally from West Virginia, where his father had worked as a schoolteacher. Around 1880, a missionary group of Latter-Day Saints visited Dempsey's parents and converted them to Mormonism. Soon after, they moved west to the tiny Mormon village of Manassa in southern Colorado, where Dempsey was born.
Although Hyrum Dempsey later abandoned Mormonism, his wife remained faithful and observant throughout her life, and Jack Dempsey was raised in the church. The boxer later described his own religious beliefs: "I'm proud to be a Mormon. And ashamed to be the Jack Mormon that I am."
Following their move from West Virginia, Dempsey's father and his two older brothers worked as miners, and the family moved frequently around Colorado and Utah in pursuit of mining jobs. At the age of 8, Jack Dempsey took his first job picking crops on a farm near Steamboat Springs, Colarado. Over the next few years, he worked as a farm hand, miner and cowboy to help support his struggling family. As an adult, Dempsey often said that he loved three kinds of work—boxing, mining and cowboying—and would have been equally happy doing any of the three. During these years, Dempsey's older brother, Bernie, earned extra money as a prizefighter in the saloons of hardscrabble Rocky Mountain towns. It was Bernie who taught young Jack how to fight, instructing him to chew pine tar gum to strengthen his jaw and soak his face in brine to toughen his skin.
When Dempsey was 12 years old, his family settled in Provo, Utah, where he attended Lakeview Elementary School. He dropped out of school after the eighth grade, though, to begin working full time. He shined shoes, picked crops and worked at a sugar refinery, unloading beets for a measly ten cents per ton. By the age of 17, Dempsey had developed into a skilled young boxer, and decided he could make more money fighting than working.
For the next five years, from 1911-16, Dempsey traveled from mining town to mining town, picking up fights wherever he could. His home base was Peter Jackson's Saloon in Salt Lake City, where a local organizer named Hardy Downey arranged his fights. Going by the name "Kid Blackie," in his Salt Lake City debut, Dempsey knocked out his opponent, a boxer by the name of "One Punch Hancock," in just one punch. Downey was so angry that he made Dempsey fight another opponent before he paid him.
Bernie Dempsey was still prizefighting at that time, calling himself Jack Dempsey, after the great 19th century boxer Jack "Nonpareil" Dempsey. One day in 1914, Bernie fell ill, and his younger brother offered to fill in for him. Assuming the name Jack Dempsey for the first time that night, he won his brother's fight decisively and never relinquished the name. By 1917, Dempsey had earned enough of a reputation to book more prominent and better-paying fights in San Francisco and on the East Coast. Advertisement — Continue reading below A Boxing Champion
On Independence Day in 1919, Dempsey got his first big opportunity: A fight against world heavyweight champion Jess Willard. Nicknamed "The Great White Hope," Willard stood a menacing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighed in at 245 pounds. No one in the boxing world thought the 6'1", 187-pound Dempsey stood a chance. Despite his enormous disadvantage in size, Dempsey dominated Willard with his superior quickness and ruthless tactics, knocking the bigger man out in the third round to earn the title of world heavyweight champion.
The Willard-Dempsey fight became the subject of controversy in 1964, when Dempsey's former manager, Jack Kearns—who, by this time, had fallen out with Dempsey—claimed that he had "loaded" the boxer's gloves with Plaster of Paris. The "loaded glove" theory held some credence because of the seemingly extraordinary amount of damage Dempsey did to Willard's face. However, film evidence revealed Willard inspecting Dempsey's gloves before the fight, making it highly improbable that the fighter could have cheated.
Dempsey successfully defended his heavyweight title five times over the next six years, in what is considered one of the greatest runs in boxing history. Despite his successes in the ring during this period, however, Dempsey was not particularly popular with the public. He had not served in the military when the United States entered World War I in 1917, leading some to view him as a slacker and draft dodger. Furthermore, an infamous and widely ridiculed photograph showed Dempsey at a Philadelphia shipyard, supposedly hard at work, but wearing shiny patent-leather shoes.
Strangely, Dempsey finally achieved widespread popularity when he lost his championship title. On September 23, 1926, he was defeated by challenger Gene Tunney before a record crowd of 120,000 fans in Philadelphia. When the bruised and battered Dempsey returned to his hotel that night, his wife, shocked at his gruesome appearance, asked him what happened. "Honey," Dempsey famously answered. "I forgot to duck." The hilarious and self-effacing anecdote made Dempsey something of a folk legend for the rest of his life.
A year later, in 1927, Dempsey challenged Tunney to a rematch in a fight that would become one of the most controversial in boxing history. Dempsey knocked Tunney down in the seventh round, but forgot a new rule requiring him to return to a neutral corner while the referee counted, extending the pause in the fight. Dempsey's slipup afforded Tunney at least five precious extra seconds to recover and return to his feet, and Tunney eventually won the fight. Although Dempsey fans argue that he would have won if not for the "long count," Tunney maintained that he was in control throughout the fight.
After his second loss to Tunney, Dempsey retired from boxing, but remained a prominent cultural figure. He opened Jack Dempsey's Restaurant in New York City, where he was famous for his hospitality and willingness to chat with any customer who walked through his doors. He also tried his hand at acting. He and his wife, actress Estelle Taylor, co-starred in a Broadway play called The Big Fight, and Dempsey appeared in a handful of films, including The Prizefighter and the Lady (1933) and Sweet Surrender (1935). During World War II, Dempsey put all questions surrounding his war record to rest by serving as a lieutenant commander in the Coast Guard. Personal Life and Legacy
Dempsey married four times during his life, to Maxine Gates (1916-19), Estelle Taylor (1925-30), Hannah Williams (1933-43) and Deanna Piatelli (1958). He had two children with Williams, Joan and Barbara, and adopted a daughter with Piatelli. In 1977, he wrote an autobiography, Dempsey: The Autobiography of Jack Dempsey. He passed away from heart failure on May 31, 1983.
Nicknamed the "Manassa Mauler," Dempsey ranked second only to Babe Ruth among the great American sports icons of the 1920s. He was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954, and many commentators still rank him among the ten greatest boxers of all time. Known for his ruthless, unbridled violence in a prizefight, Dempsey was renowned for his warmth, kindness and generosity outside of the ring.
He displayed a level of sportsmanship perhaps unrivaled in the history of the notoriously violent sport. Half-dazed and heartbroken after his loss to Tunney in the controversial "long count" match, Dempsey offered his opponent nothing but his earnest congratulations. "Lead me out there," he said to his trainer because he could not walk straight. "I want to shake his hand."
William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey (June 24, 1895 – May 31, 1983), also known as "Kid Blackie" and "The Manassa Mauler", was an American professional boxer, who became a cultural icon of the 1920s.[1] Dempsey held the World Heavyweight Championship from 1919 to 1926, and his aggressive style and exceptional punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history.[2][3] Many of his fights set financial and attendance records, including the first million-dollar gate. Listed at #10 on The Ring's list of all-time heavyweights and #7 among its Top 100 Greatest Punchers, in 1950 the Associated Press voted Dempsey as the greatest fighter of the past 50 years.[4] Dempsey is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and was inducted into The Ring magazine's Boxing Hall of Fame in 1951.[2]
Contents
1 Early life and career 2 World Heavyweight Champion 2.1 Title fight and controversy 3 Title defenses 3.1 Time off from boxing 4 Loss of title 4.1 Post title loss 4.2 Tunney rematch: "The Long Count" 5 Post-retirement 5.1 Service during WWII 5.2 Later life and legacy 6 Death 7 Professional Boxing record 8 Published works 9 References 9.1 Footnotes 9.2 Notes 9.3 Further reading 9.4 Biographies 10 External links
Early life and career
Born William Harrison Dempsey in Manassa, Colorado, he grew up in a poor family in Colorado, West Virginia, and Utah.[A] The son of Mary Celia (née Smoot) and Hiram Dempsey, his family's lineage consisted of Irish, Cherokee, and Jewish ancestry.[5][6][7] Following his parents' conversion to Mormonism,[8] Dempsey was baptized into the LDS Church in 1903 following his 8th birthday, the "age of accountability", according to Mormon doctrine.[9] Because his father had difficulty finding work, the family traveled often and Dempsey dropped out of elementary school to work and left home at the age of 16. Due to his lack of money, he frequently traveled underneath trains and slept in hobo camps.[citation needed]
Desperate for money, Dempsey would occasionally visit saloons and challenge for fights, saying "I can't sing and I can't dance, but I can lick any SOB in the house." If anyone accepted the challenge, bets would be made. According to Dempsey's autobiography, he rarely lost these barroom brawls.[10] For a short time, Dempsey was a part-time bodyguard for Thomas F. Kearns, president of The Salt Lake Tribune and son of Utah's U.S. Senator Thomas Kearns.[11] The two men remained friends for years afterward.[citation needed]
Because he occasionally fought under the pseudonym "Kid Blackie" until 1916, Dempsey's complete boxing record is not known. He first competed as "Jack Dempsey" in 1914 as a tribute to middleweight boxer Jack "Nonpareil" Dempsey. Following the name change, Dempsey won six bouts in a row by knockout before losing on a disqualification in four rounds to Jack Downey. During this early part of his career, Dempsey campaigned in Utah, frequently entering fights in towns in the Wasatch Mountain Range region. He followed his loss against Downey with a knockout win and two draws versus Johnny Sudenberg in Nevada. Three more wins and a draw followed when he met Downey again, this time resulting in a four-round draw. Following these wins, Dempsey racked up ten more wins that included matches against Sudenberg and Downey, knocking out Downey in two rounds. These wins were followed with three no-decision matches, though at this point in the history of boxing, the use of judges to score a fight was often forbidden, so if a fight went the distance, it was called a draw or a no decision, depending on the state or county where the fight was held.
After the United States entered World War I in 1917, Dempsey worked in a shipyard and continued to box. Afterward, he was accused by some boxing fans of being a slacker for not enlisting. This remained a black mark on his reputation until 1920, when evidence produced showed he had attempted to enlist in the U.S. Army, but had been classified 4-F.[citation needed] After the war, Dempsey spent two years in Salt Lake City, "bumming around" as he called it, before returning to the ring.[12] World Heavyweight Champion Dempsey mock punching Harry Houdini (held back by Benny Leonard)
Among his opponents for World Heavyweight Champion were Fireman Jim Flynn, the only boxer ever to beat Dempsey by a knockout when Dempsey lost to him in the first round (although some boxing historians believe the fight was a "fix"),[13] and Gunboat Smith, formerly a highly ranked contender who had beaten both World Champion Jess Willard and Hall of Famer Sam Langford. Dempsey beat Smith for the third time on a second-round knockout.
Before he employed the long-experienced Jack Kearns as his manager, Dempsey was first managed by John J. Reisler.[B][C]
In 1918, Dempsey fought in 17 matches, going 15–1 with one no decision. In a fight with Flynn, Dempsey knocked his opponent out in the first round. Among other matches won that year were against Light Heavyweight Champion Battling Levinsky, Bill Brennan, Fred Fulton, Carl E. Morris, Billy Miske, heavyweight Lefty Jim McGettigan, and Homer Smith. In 1919, he won five consecutive regular bouts by knockout in the first round as well as a one-round special bout.[14] Title fight and controversy
On July 4, 1919, Dempsey and World Heavyweight Champion Jess Willard met at Toledo for the world title. Pro lightweight fighter Benny Leonard predicted a victory for the 6'1", 187 pound Dempsey even though Willard, known as the "Pottawatamie Giant", was 6'6½" tall and 245 pounds. Ultimately, Willard was knocked down seven times by Dempsey in the first round.[15]
Accounts of the fight reported that Willard suffered a broken jaw, broken ribs, several broken teeth, and a number of deep fractures to his facial bones. This aroused suspicion that Dempsey had cheated, with some questioning how the force capable of causing such damage had been transmitted through Dempsey's knuckles without fracturing them.[12]
Other reports, however, failed to mention Willard suffered any real injuries.[16] The New York Times' account of the fight described severe swelling visible on one side of Willard's face, but did not mention any broken bones.[17] A still photograph of Willard following the fight appears to show discoloration and swelling on his face.[12]
Following the match, Willard was quoted as saying, "Dempsey is a remarkable hitter. It was the first time that I had ever been knocked off my feet. I have sent many birds home in the same bruised condition that I am in, and now I know how they felt. I sincerely wish Dempsey all the luck possible and hope that he garnishes all the riches that comes with the championship. I have had my fling with the title. I was champion for four years and I assure you that they'll never have to give a benefit for me. I have invested the money I have made".[16] Willard later claimed to have been defeated by "gangsterism".[12]
After being fired by Dempsey, manager Jack Kearns gave an account of the fight in the January 20, 1964 issue of Sports Illustrated that has become known as the "loaded gloves theory". In the interview, Kearns claimed to have informed Dempsey he had wagered his share of the purse favoring a Dempsey win with a first-round knockout. Kearns further stated he had applied plaster of Paris to the wrappings on the fighter's hands.
Boxing historian J. J. Johnston said, "the films show Willard upon entering the ring walking over to Dempsey and examining his hands." That, along with an experiment conducted by a boxing magazine designed to re-enact the fight have been noted as proof that Kearns' story was false.[16]
The Ring magazine founder and editor Nat Fleischer claimed to be present when Dempsey's hands were wrapped, stating, "Jack Dempsey had no loaded gloves, and no plaster of Paris over his bandages. I watched the proceedings and the only person who had anything to do with the taping of Jack's hands was Deforest. Kearns had nothing to do with it, so his plaster of Paris story is simply not true.
Deforest himself said that he regarded the stories of Dempsey's gloves being loaded as libel, calling them "trash", and said he did not apply any foreign substance to them, which I can verify since I watched the taping."[18] Sports writer Red Smith, in Dempsey's obituary published by The New York Times' was openly dismissive of the claim.[19]
Another rumor is that Dempsey used a knuckleduster during the first round. Some speculated that the object used was a rail spike.[12] In the Los Angeles Times on July 3, 1979, Joe Stone, an ex-referee and boxing writer, asserted that in a film taken of the fight an object on the canvas could be seen after the final knockdown. He further asserted that the object appears to be removed by someone from Dempsey's corner. In the same film, however, Dempsey can be seen at various times during the fight pushing and holding with Willard with the palm of the glove in question, making it unlikely that he had any foreign object embedded in his glove.[16]
Further controversy was fueled by the fact that Dempsey left the ring at the end of the first round, thinking the fight was over. This was seen as a violation of the rules, however, Willard's corner did not ask for enforcement in order for the referee to disqualify Dempsey.[12] Title defenses Dempsey and Carpentier in the arena before the fight
Following his victory, Jack Dempsey traveled around the country, making publicity appearances with circuses, staging exhibitions, and a low-budget Hollywood movie. Dempsey did not defend his title until September 1920, with a fight against Billy Miske in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Miske was knocked out in three rounds.
Dempsey's second title defense was in December 1920 against Bill Brennan at Madison Square Garden, New York City. After 10 rounds, Brennan was ahead on points, and Dempsey's left ear was bleeding profusely. Dempsey rebounded to stop Brennan in the 12th round.
Dempsey's next defending fight was against French World War I hero Georges Carpentier, a fighter popular on both sides of the Atlantic.[D] The bout was promoted by Tex Rickard and George Bernard Shaw, who claimed that Carpentier was "the greatest boxer in the world".[20]
The Dempsey–Carpentier contest took place on July 2, 1921, at Boyle's Thirty Acres in Jersey City, New Jersey. It generated the first million-dollar gate in boxing history;[citation needed] a crowd of 91,000 watched the fight. Though it was deemed "the Fight of the Century", experts anticipated a one-sided win for Dempsey. Radio pioneer RCA arranged for live coverage of the match via KDKA, making the event the first national radio broadcast.[3][21]
Carpentier wobbled Dempsey with a hard right in the second round. A reporter at ringside, however, counted 25 punches from Dempsey in a single 31-second exchange soon after he was supposedly injured by the right.[20] Carpentier also broke his thumb in that round, which crippled his chances. Dempsey ended up winning the match in the fourth round.
Dempsey did not defend his title again until July 1923 against Tommy Gibbons in Shelby, Montana. Dempsey won the match as result of a 15-round decision. Dempsey and Firpo, 1924 painting by George Bellows
The last successful title defense for Dempsey was in September 1923 at New York's Polo Grounds in Dempsey vs. Firpo. Attendance was 85,000, with another 20,000 trying to get inside the arena. Firpo was knocked down repeatedly by Dempsey, yet continued to battle back, even knocking Dempsey down twice. On the second occasion he was floored, Dempsey flew head-first through the ring ropes, landing on a ringside reporter's typewriter. At this point he was out of the ring for approximately 14 seconds, less than the 20 second rule for out-of-ring knockouts. Ultimately, Dempsey beat Argentinian contender Luis Ángel Firpo with a second-round KO. The fight was transmitted live by radio to Buenos Aires.[22]
Dempsey's heavyweight title-defending fights, exhibition fights, movies, and endorsements, made Dempsey one of the richest athletes in the world, putting him on the cover of TIME Magazine.[23] Time off from boxing Jack Dempsey holding his wife, Estelle Taylor, on his shoulder
Dempsey did not defend his title for three years following the Firpo fight. There was pressure from the public and the media for Dempsey to defend his title against Black contender Harry Wills. Disagreement exists among boxing historians as to whether Dempsey avoided Wills, though Dempsey claimed he was willing to fight him. When he originally won the title, however, he had said he would no longer fight Black boxers.[24]
Instead of continuing to defend his title, Dempsey earned money with boxing exhibitions, appearing in films, and endorsing products. Dempsey also did a lot of traveling, spending, and partying. During this time away from competitive fighting, Dempsey married actress Estelle Taylor and fired his long-time trainer/manager Jack "Doc" Kearns. Kearns repeatedly sued Dempsey for large sums of money following his firing.[25]
In April 1924, Dempsey was appointed to an executive position in the Irish Worker League (IWL). The IWL was a Soviet-backed Communist group founded in Dublin by Irish labour leader Jim Larkin in Dublin.[26] Loss of title
In September 1926, Dempsey fought the Irish American and former U.S. Marine Gene Tunney in Philadelphia,[E] a fighter who had only lost once in his career. In spite of his record, Tunney was considered the underdog against Dempsey.
The match ended in an upset, with Dempsey losing his title on points in 10 rounds. Attendance for this fight was a record 120,557, the largest attendance ever for a sporting event outside motor racing and soccer.[citation needed] When the defeated Dempsey returned to his dressing room, he explained his loss to his wife by saying, "Honey, I forgot to duck."[19] Fifty five years later president Ronald Reagan borrowed this quote when his wife Nancy visited him in the emergency room after the attempt on his life.[27] Post title loss
Following his loss of the heavyweight title, Dempsey contemplated retiring, but decided to try a comeback. It was during this time period that tragedy struck his family when his brother, John Dempsey, shot his wife Edna, then killed himself in a murder-suicide. Dempsey was called upon to identify the bodies and was said to be emotionally affected by the incident.[F]
During a July 21, 1927 fight at Yankee Stadium, Dempsey knocked out future Heavyweight Champion Jack Sharkey in the seventh round. The fight was an elimination bout for a title shot against Tunney. Sharkey was beating Dempsey until the end. The fight ended controversially when Sharkey claimed Dempsey had been hitting him below the belt. When Sharkey turned to the referee to complain, he left himself unprotected. Dempsey crashed a left hook onto Sharkey's chin, knocking him out and the referee counting Sharkey out on a ten-count. Tunney rematch: "The Long Count"
The Dempsey-Tunney rematch took place in Chicago, Illinois, on September 22, 1927 – one day less than a year after losing his title to Tunney. Generating more interest than the Carpentier and Firpo bouts, the fight brought in a record-setting $2 million gate. Reportedly, gangster Al Capone offered to fix the rematch in his favor, but Dempsey refused.[citation needed] Millions around the country listened to the match by radio while hundreds of reporters covered the event. Tunney was paid a record one million dollars for the rematch. Today's equivalent in U.S currency would be approximately $13,622,605.00.[28]
Dempsey was losing the fight on points when in the seventh round he knocked Tunney down with a left hook to the chin then landed several more punches. A new rule instituted at the time of the fight mandated that when a fighter knocked down an opponent, he must immediately go to a neutral corner. Dempsey, however, refused to immediately move to the neutral corner when instructed by the referee. The referee had to escort Dempsey to the neutral corner, which bought Tunney at least an extra five seconds to recover. Even though the official timekeeper clocked 14 seconds Tunney was down, Tunney got up at the referee's count of 9. Dempsey then attempted to finish Tunney off before the end of the round, but failed to do so. Tunney dropped Dempsey for a count of one in round eight and won the final two rounds of the fight, retaining the title of World Heavyweight Champion on a unanimous decision. Ironically, the neutral corner rule was requested during negotiations by members of the Dempsey camp. Another discrepancy was, when Tunney knocked Dempsey down, the timekeeper started the count immediately, not waiting for Tunney to move to a neutral corner.[29] Because of the controversial nature of the fight due to the neutral corner rule and conflicting counts, the Dempsey-Tunney rematch remains known as "The Long Count Fight". Post-retirement Jack Dempsey (date unknown)
Dempsey retired from boxing following the Tunney rematch, but continued with numerous exhibition bouts. Following retirement, Dempsey became known as a philanthropist. In June 1932, he sponsored the "Ride of Champions" bucking horse event at Reno, Nevada with the "Dempsey Trophy" going to legendary bronc rider Pete Knight. In 1933, Dempsey was approached by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to portray a boxer in the film, The Prizefighter and the Lady, directed by W. S. Van Dyke and co-starring Myrna Loy.
In Ensenada, Mexico, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural and Convention Center built in 1930 Ensenada, Baja California was a gambling casino supposedly financed by Al Capone and managed by Jack Dempsey. Its clientele included Myrna Loy, Lana Turner and Dolores del Rio.
In 1935, Dempsey opened Jack Dempsey's Restaurant in New York City on Eighth Avenue and 50th Street, across from the third Madison Square Garden. The restaurant's name was later changed to Jack Dempsey's Broadway Restaurant when it relocated to Times Square on Broadway between 49th and 50th Streets. It remained open until 1974.[30] Dempsey was also a co-owner of the Howard Manor in Palm Springs, California.[31]
Dempsey married four times; his first two wives were Maxine Gates (married from 1916 to 1919) and Estelle Taylor (married in 1925).[32] Dempsey divorced Taylor in 1930, and married Broadway singer and recent divorcee Hannah Williams in 1933. Williams was previously married to bandleader Roger Wolfe Kahn. Dempsey and Williams had two children together and divorced in 1943. Dempsey then married Deanna Piatelli, remaining married to her until his death in 1983. The couple had one child, a daughter whom they adopted together and would later write a book on Dempsey's life with Piatelli.[32] Service during WWII Commander Dempsey (center) looking on as two seamen load an antiaircraft gun
When the United States entered World War II, Dempsey had an opportunity to refute any remaining criticism of his war record of two decades earlier. Dempsey joined the New York State Guard and was given a commission as a first lieutenant, later resigning that commission to accept a commission as a lieutenant in the Coast Guard Reserve. Dempsey reported for duty in June 1942 at Coast Guard Training Station, Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, New York, where he was assigned as "Director of Physical Education." As part of the ongoing war effort, Dempsey made personal appearances at fights, camps, hospitals and War Bond drives. Dempsey was promoted to lieutenant commander in December 1942 and commander in March 1944. In 1944, Dempsey was assigned to the transport USS Wakefield (AP-21). In 1945, he was on board the attack transport USS Arthur Middleton (APA-25) for the invasion of Okinawa. Dempsey also spent time aboard the USS General William Mitchell (AP-114), where he spent time showing the crew sparring techniques. Dempsey was released from active duty in September 1945 and received an honorable discharge from the Coast Guard Reserve in 1952.[2][33] Later life and legacy
Dempsey authored a book on boxing titled Championship Fighting: Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense and published in 1950. The book emphasizes knockout power derived from enabling fast motion from one's heavy bodyweight. Dempsey's book became and remains the recognized treatise in boxing. During World War II while in the Coast Guard, he co-authored How to Fight Tough with professional wrestler Bernard J. Cosneck. The book was used by the Coast Guard to instruct guardsmen on close-quarters hand-to-hand combat while incorporating boxing, wrestling, and jiujitsu.
After the world-famous Louis-Schmeling fight, Dempsey stated he was glad he never had to face Joe Louis in the ring. When Louis eventually fell on hard times financially, Dempsey served as honorary chairman of a relief fund to assist him.[3]
Dempsey made friends with former opponents Wills and Tunney after retirement, with Dempsey campaigning for Tunney's son, Democrat John V. Tunney, when he ran for the U.S. Senate, from California. One of Dempsey's best friends was Judge John Sirica, who presided over the Watergate trials.[34]
In tribute to his legacy and boxing career, a PBS documentary summarized: "Jack Dempsey's boxing style consisted of constantly bobbing and weaving. His attacks were furious and sustained. Behind it all was rage. His aggressive behavior prompted a rule that boxers had to retreat to a neutral corner and give opponents who had been knocked down a chance to get up."[3] According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, constant attack was his strategic defense.[2]
In 1971, Dempsey recounted an incident when he was mugged while walking home at night. According to Dempsey, the two young muggers attempted to grab his arms, but Dempsey broke free and laid them both out cold on the sidewalk. The story of the encounter appeared in the Hendersonville Times-News in July 1971. In the print-story, the incident was reported to have taken place "a few years ago".[35]
In 1977, in collaboration with his daughter Barbara Lynn, Dempsey published his autobiography, titled Dempsey.
Dempsey was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954.[32] The street where Madison Square Garden is located is called Jack Dempsey Corner. A segment of Montgomery Avenue in Jersey City running past the old Boyle's Thirty Acres was renamed Jack Dempsey Way.
In 1970, Jack Dempsey was inducted as part of the charter class into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame.[36]
In 2011, Dempsey was posthumously inducted into the Irish American Hall of Fame.[37]
Dempsey was a Freemason and member of Kenwood Lodge #800 in Chicago, Illinois.[38][39][40][41] Death
On May 31, 1983, Jack Dempsey died of heart failure at age 87 in New York City. With his wife Deanna at his side, his last words were, "Don't worry honey, I'm too mean to die."[citation needed] He is buried in the Southampton Cemetery in Southampton, New York.[42] His widow, Deanna Dempsey died in 2003. Professional Boxing record Boxing record 66 Wins (51 T(KO)'s, 14 decisions, 1 disqualification), 6 Losses (1 T(KO), 5 decisions), 11 Draws[43] [hide] Date Result Opponent Location Method Round Time Record 1927-09-22 Loss United States Gene Tunney Soldier Field, Chicago, IL Decision (Unanimous) 10 3:00 66–6–11 Fight was for WBA and World Heavyweight titles. 1927-06-21 Win United States Jack Sharkey Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, NY KO (Left hook) 7 (15) 0:45 66–5–11 1926-09-23 Loss United States Gene Tunney Sesquicentennial Stadium, Philadelphia, PA Decision (Unanimous) 10 3:00 65–5–11 Lost WBA and World Heavyweight titles. 1923-09-14 Win Argentina Luis Ángel Firpo Polo Grounds, New York City, NY KO (Short right) 2 (15) 0:57 65–4–11 Retains New York State Athletic Commission and World Heavyweight titles 1923-07-04 Win United States Tommy Gibbons Shelby, MT Decision (Unanimous) 15 3:00 64–4–11 1922-07-24 Win Romania Jimmy Darcy (born Valeriu Trâmbiţaş) Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, NY Decision 4 3:00 63–4–11 Wins NYSAC Heavyweight title. 1921-07-02 Win France Georges Carpentier Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, NJ KO (Right hook) 4 (12) 62–4–11 Retains World Heavyweight title and won NBA Heavyweight title. 1920-12-14 Win United States Bill Brennan Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY KO (Body punches) 12 (15) 1:57 61–4–11 Retains World Heavyweight title. 1920-09-06 Win United States Billy Miske Benton Harbor, MI KO (Right hook) 3 (10) 1:13 60–4–11 Retains World Heavyweight title. 1919-07-04 Win United States Jess Willard Bay View Park Arena, Toledo, OH TKO (Corner stoppage) 3 (12) 3:00 59–4–11 Wins World Heavyweight title. 1919-04-02 Win United States Tony Drake New Haven, CT KO 1 0:11 58–4–11 1919-02-13 Win United States Eddie Smith Altoona, PA KO 1 57–4–11 1919-01-29 Win United States Kid Henry Easton, PA KO 1 56–4–11 1919-01-23 Win United States Kid Harris Rajah Theater, Reading, PA KO 1 (3) 55–4–11 1919-01-22 Win United States Jack Hickey Orpheum Theater, Harrisburg, PA KO 1 (3) 54–4–11 1919-01-15 Win United States Jim Maguire Grand Theatre, Trenton, NJ KO 1 (3) 1:00 53–4–11 1918-12-29 Win United States Gunboat Smith Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, NY KO (Short right) 2 (8) 52–4–11 1918-12-16 Win United States Carl E. Morris Louisiana Auditorium, New Orleans, LA KO (Left hook) 1 (20) 51–4–11 1918-11-28 Win United States Billy Miske Olympia Club, Philadelphia, PA Decision 6 50–4–11 1918-11-18 Win United States Dan Flynn Olympia Club, Philadelphia, PA KO (Left hook) 1 (6) 2:16 49–4–11 1918-11-06 Win United States Battling Levinsky Olympia Club, Philadelphia, PA KO (Right punch) 3 (6) 48–4–11 1918-09-14 Win United States Jack Moran Moana Springs Arena, Reno, NV KO 1 (10) 47–4–11 1918-09-13 Loss United States Willie Meehan San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, CA Decision 4 3:00 46–4–11 1918-08-17 Win United States Terry Kellar Westwood Field Gym, Dayton, OH TKO 5 (15) 46–3–11 1918-07-27 Win United States Fred Fulton Federal League Baseball Park, Harrison, NJ KO (Right hook) 1 (8) 0:18 45–3–11 1918-07-06 Win United States Dan Flynn Atlanta Auditorium, Atlanta, GA KO 1 (10) 44–3–11 1918-07-04 Win United States Bob Devere Joplin, MO KO 1 (12) 43–3–11 1918-07-01 Win United States Kid McCarthy Tulsa, OK KO 1 (12) 42–3–11 1918-05-22 Win United States Dan Ketchell Excelsior Springs, MO KO 2 (10) 1:00 41–3–11 1918-05-20 Win Canada Arthur Pelkey Stockyards Stadium, Denver, CO KO 1 (15) 1:00 40–3–11 1918-05-03 Draw United States Billy Miske Auditorium, St. Paul, MN Decision draw 10 3:00 39–3–11 1918-03-25 Win United States Tom Riley Joplin, MO KO 1 (15) 39–3–10 1918-03-06 Win United States Fred Saddy Memphis, TN KO 1 (8) 38–3–10 1918-02-25 Win United States Bill Brennan Auditorium, Milwaukee, WI TKO 6 (10) 37–3–10 1918-02-14 Win United States Fireman Jim Flynn Fort Sheridan, IL KO 1 (10) 1:10 36–3–10 1918-02-04 Win United States Carl Morris Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, NY Disqualification 6 (10) 35–3–10 1918-01-24 Win United States Homer Smith Racine, WI KO 1 (10) 1:55 34–3–10 1917-11-02 Win United States Carl Morris Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, CA Decision 4 3:00 33–3–10 1917-10-02 Win United States Gunboat Smith Recreation Park, San Francisco, CA Decision 4 3:00 32–3–10 1917-09-26 Win United States Bob McAllister Arena, Emeryville, CA Decision 4 3:00 31–3–10 1917-09-19 Win United States Charley Miller Arena, Emeryville, CA KO 1 (4) 30–3–10 1917-09-07 Draw United States Willie Meehan Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, CA Decision draw 4 3:00 29–3–10 1917-08-10 Draw United States Willie Meehan Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, CA Decision draw 4 3:00 29–3–9 1917-08-01 Win United States Al Norton Arena, Emeryville, CA KO 1 (4) 29–3–8 1917-07-25 Win United States Willie Meehan Arena, Emeryville, CA Decision 4 3:00 28–3–8 1917-04-11 Draw United States Al Norton West Oakland Club, Oakland, CA Decision draw 4 3:00 27–3–8 1917-03-28 Loss United States Willie Meehan Arena, Emeryville, CA Decision 4 3:00 27–3–7 1917-03-17 Draw United States Al Norton West Oakland Club, Oakland, CA Decision draw 4 3:00 27–2–7 1917-02-13 Loss United States Fireman Jim Flynn Murray, UT KO (Right hook) 1 (15) 0:10 27–2–6 1916-11-28 Win United States Young Hector Salida, CO KO 2 (10) 27–1–6 1916-10-16 Win United States Dick Gilbert Salt Lake Theater, Salt Lake City, UT Decision 10 3:00 26–1–6 1916-10-07 Win United States Terry Kellar Ely, NV Decision 10 3:00 25–1–6 1916-09-28 Win United States Young Hector Murray Fire Hall, Murray, UT TKO (Retired) 3 (10) 24–1–6 1916-07-14 Draw United States John Lester Johnson Harlem Sports Club, New York City, NY Decision Draw 10 3:00 23–1–6 1916-07-08 Win United States "Wild Bert" Kenny Fairmont Athletic Club, The Bronx, NY Decision 10 3:00 23–1–5 1916-06-24 Win United States Andre Anderson Fairmont Athletic Club, The Bronx, NY Decision 10 3:00 22–1–5 1916-05-30 Win United States Bob York Elko Theater, Price, UT KO 4 (6) 21–1–5 Billed for Pacific Coast Light Heavyweight title. 1916-05-17 Win United States Dan Ketchell Provo, UT KO 3 (6) 20–1–5 1916-05-03 Win United States Terry Kellar Alhambra Theater, Ogden, UT Decision 10 3:00 19–1–5 Billed for World Light Heavyweight title. 1916-04-08 Win United States Joe Bonds Ely, NV Decision 10 3:00 18–1–5 1916-03-17 Win United States George Christian Elko Theater, Price, UT KO 1 (15) 17–1–5 1916-03-09 Win United States Cyril Kohen Mozart Theatre, Provo, UT KO 4 (6) 16–1–5 1916-02-23 Win United States Boston Bearcat Armory, Ogden, UT KO 1 (4) 15–1–5 1916-02-21 Win United States Jack Downey Manhattan Athletic Club, Salt Lake City, UT KO (Right punch) 2 (4) 14–1–5 1916-02-01 Win Sweden Johnny Sudenberg Bijo Hall, Ely, NV KO 2 (10) 13–1–5 1915-12-20 Win United States Jack Gillian Manhattan Athletic Club, Salt Lake City, UT TKO 1 (4) 12–1–5 1915-12-13 Draw United States Jack Downey Manhattan Athletic Club, Salt Lake City, UT Decision draw 4 3:00 11–1–5 1915-11-19 Win United States George Copelin Cripple Creek, CO KO 6 (10) 11–1–4 1915-10-23 Win United States Andy Malloy Montrose, CO KO 3 10–1–4 1915-10-07 Win United States Andy Malloy Gem Theater, Durango, CO Decision 10 3:00 9–1–4 1915-08-01 Win United States Fred Woods Moose Hall, Montrose, CO KO 4 8–1–4 1915-06-11 Draw Sweden Johnny Sudenberg Tonopah, NV Decision draw 10 3:00 7–1–4 1915-05-31 Draw Sweden Johnny Sudenberg Goldfield, NV Decision draw 10 3:00 7–1–3 1915-04-26 Win United States Emmanuel Campbell Jockey Athletic Club, Reno, NV TKO (Referee stoppage) 4 (4) 7–1–2 1915-04-05 Loss United States Jack Downey Manhattan Athletic Club, Salt Lake City, UT Decision 4 3:00 6–1–2 1915-04-01 Win United States Chief Gordon Utah KO 6 6–0–2 1915-03-03 Win United States Johnny Pierson Utah KO 7 5–0–2 1915-02-26 Draw United States Laverne Collier Pocatello, ID Decision draw 4 3:00 4–0–2 1915-02-02 Win United States Joe Lyons Utah KO 9 4–0–1 1915-01-01 Win United States Jim Johnson Salt Lake City, UT KO 1 3–0–1 1914-11-30 Win United States Billy Murphy Manhattan Athletic Club, Salt Lake City, UT KO 1 (4) 2–0–1 1914-11-02 Win United States Young Hancock Manhattan Athletic Club, Salt Lake City, UT KO 1 (4) 1–0–1 1914-08-17 Draw United States Young Herman Ramona, CO Decision draw 6 3:00 0–0–1
George Vincent Blake arrived in Los Angeles from Chicago in 1904, where he had been a boxer. [1] (So far, BoxRec has not found any bouts for him. He may have used an alias.)
Blake started his officiating career in San Diego, then took over in September 1908 for Tommy Walsh as the referee of preliminary bouts in Vernon. In August 1909, he started refereeing amateur bouts at the Los Angeles Athletic Club (L.A.A.C.). [2]
By 1910, he had become a popular and respected referee in the greater Los Angeles area. [3] (Also in 1910, he was in Europe for some reason. [4]) He became the chief United States Army boxing instructor during World War I. (Nov. 2, 1920 Los Angeles Times (LAT).) By the early 1920s, he was the regular referee for Southern California boxing venues such as Jack Doyle's Vernon Arena and the Hollywood Legion Stadium.
By the very early 1920s he and Charles Keppen were promoting monthly amateur boxing shows, on Thursdays, at the L.A.A.C., where Blake took an interest in a young, promising, and talented Fidel LaBarba--the future Olympic Gold Medalist and Flyweight World Champion. (Jan. 20, 1921 LAT.) Other young amateur boxers he took under his wing during the early 1920s were Joe Schlocker, Manuel Martinez, Julius Jessick, and Hugh McDonald. (March 21, 1922 LAT.)
Besides LaBarba, other professional boxers Blake eventually managed include former Bantamweight World Champion Pete Sanstol, Harry (Kid) Matthews, Joe Salas, Clayton Frye, Joe Stone, and Toby Vigil.
Blake was known as a man of impeccable character. Some idea of his integrity is shown by a quote Sanstol gave to The Knockout magazine (April 1, 1933 issue), shortly after Blake agreed to take on the Norwegian boxer: " 'I told LaBarba that I knew Blake would not have anything to do with a fighter who wasn't clean and honest and that I had set that as my ideal ever since I met him in Paris [back in 1929],' said Pete.... 'I know Blake inquired into my habits, checked up everything I had done--my fights in Montreal and elsewhere--before he gave his answer. It was the happiest day of my life when he signed me to a contract. I rushed out and cabled my mother and father in Oslo of the great news--that I was being managed by the biggest figure and the best-liked man in all America.' "
By the summer of 1935, according to the August 1935 The Ring magazine, p. 51, Blake was "back in Honolulu to help revive professional boxing in the Islands. He brought with him Henry Moreno, a featherweight, and Sonny Valdez, a bantamweight."
Some of the title bouts Blake officiated included Max Schmeling vs. Young Stribling, Henry Armstrong vs. Jimmy Garrison, Henry Armstrong vs. Baby Arizmendi, Joe Louis vs. Jack Roper, and Jimmy McLarnin vs. Young Corbett III. His last assignment was the 1940 Henry Armstrong vs. Ceferino Garcia bout. New York Times
Mr. Blake died at the Brothers of St. John of God Sanitarium, Los Angeles, December 20, 1952, after a long illness, and is interred in the Calvary Cemetery. His wife was Florence.