Born in 1895 in Manassa, Colorado, the son of a poor timber and mining family, Dempsey left home at the age of 16 bumming around the West Coast and making a few dollars appearing in saloon fights.
In 1914 Dempsey was discovered by Jack Kearns who introduced "The Manassa Mauler" as he became known, to professional boxing. Dempsey demonstrated an intimidating style which did little to change the public image of boxing as a brutal sport. Few opponents could claim they were left standing after a full bout with him, for fifty of his professional fights were ended by a K.O. In 1919, Dempsey won the Heavy Weight Championship by knocking on the reigning title holder Jess Williard. Williard was knocked down seven times in the first round and retired at the end of the third round with a broken jaw, two broken ribs, a closed eye and a partial loss of hearing.

The next seven years saw Dempsey matches bringing in more money than anyone in the sport had ever imagined. In 1921, his bout with George Carpentier generated the first million dollar gate. In five bouts, receipts totaling $8,453,319 were generated by Dempsey In September, 1926, an audience numbering 120,757 saw Gene Tunney end Dempsey's seven year reign.Seen to the right is a broadcast crew setting up before the match.

A year later, at Soldier's Field, Chicago, Dempsey attempted a comeback. That fight would be forever celebrated as "The Long Count" fight. Promoted by Tex Rickard, 150,00 fans paid $2,800,000 to witness a bout that was tame for a championship match. The Jack Dempsey who entered the ring against Gene Tunney was old and soft. But he was willing, As famed reporter Shirley Povich described it

He was deep down on the down grade of his pugilistic career, still with the willingness to force the battle but without the ability

Demsey, ever the pugilist, tried to come inside to inflict punishment at close quarters. Tunney gave ground and counter-punched. Povich summarized the technical story of the bout as follows:

Dempsey, pawing, sniffing, advanced on Tunney from the outset, beckoning him to close quarters, and Tunney danced away, hitting as he danced, and sapping the strength of his foe from the start.

Than in one fleeting instance of the seventh round, Jack Dempsey displayed the style that had earned him the title long ago. A left hook caught Gene Tunney on the jaw and he fell to the canvas. But Dempsey hovered over the fallen Tunney instead of going to a neutral corner. The referee refused to begin the count until Dempsey had done so. When referee Dave Barry finally began the count, four or five seconds had elapsed. On the count of nine, Gene Tunney got to his feet. The time Tunney was on the canvas was between fourteen and fifteen seconds. Neither fighter could deliver a knock out blow and the fight ended in a decision that was in favor of Tunney.

Boxing fans long bemoaned those four or five seconds. Some claimed that Dempsey deserved the victory. But the consensus of opinion holds otherwise. Those at ring side agreed that Tunney was hit hard, so hard that he probably didn't hear the first counts by Referee Barry. But he quickly regained his composure. At the count of three Tunney raised an arm and was waiting. At the count of nine he rose to again meet Dempsey.

No defeated Heavy Weight Champion had regained the title, once lost in the ring. Dempsey, a personable and gregarious man outside the ring, retired with an impressive 60 wins, 6 losses, 8 draws and 50 knock-outs. He went on to achieve "Babe Ruth" status in the sporting world and opened a successfully restaurant in New York City just across the street from Madison Square Gardens where a new generation of boxers displayed their championship talents.

Jack Dempsey died in 1983, a legend during his life, best remembered for "The Long Count."


Read Shirley Povich's Column summarizing the Bout

DCE