Remembering the Greats: “The Manassa Mauler” Jack Dempsey

The first heavyweight crossover star was born Jack Dempsey in 1895 to a poor family in Manassa, Colorado. He struck out on his own at age 16 and was forced to live as a hobo on trains and the street. Those tough circumstances helped shape his ferocious fighting spirit, as he had to constantly fight to prevent mugging and even rape attacks from strangers. After observing his sibling’s brawling talent, older brother Bernie pushed him to pursue boxing. With no experience and a subpar, Dempsey still posted solid results after initially turning pro in 1914. He knocked out most of his early but lesser competition.

 Jack Dempsery suffered his first big setback when he stepped up in class to face the experienced and tough Fireman Jim Flynn. Flynn would catch Dempsey cold with a right hook and score a first round knockout. It would be the only KO loss of Dempsey’s career.

He rebounded well in 1918 with 15 wins (including a revenge KO1 over Flynn) to earn a title shot against champion Jess Williard on July 4, 1919. Dempsey, who stood 6’1 and weighed only 187 pounds, was a huge underdog and had many fans worrying for his safety due to Willard’ 6’6, 245 pound frame. But Willard had sat on his title for three years while Dempsey had already fought six times in 1919.

Dempsey ended up ravaging Willard over three rounds in what many historians consider the most brutal beating in boxing history. Dempsey used his smaller size to bob and weave under Willard’s punches and counter with huge hooks. Also, the rules of the day allowed fighters to stand over their downed opponents and hit them as soon as their knees left the canvas. In the first round alone, Willard tasted the canvas seven times.

 His corner pulled him in the third round, but not before Willard suffered broken ribs, several lost teeth, a broken cheekbone, hearing loss in one ear, and a broken jaw. It would four years before he stepped back into a ring.

Dempsey’s title reign from 1919-1926 was checkered as he fought overmatched or past prime opponents in Billy Miske and Tommy Gibbons. He made only six defenses and went through an inexcusable three year stretch of inactivity (1923-1926).  The biggest black mark on Dempsey’s reign was not facing his #1 contender, black fighter Harry Wills. To this day, historians dispute whether the blame should be solely on Dempsey, or his promoter Tex Rickard who feared another racial fallout similar to riots after Jack Johnson vs. Jim Jeffries in 1910.

Dempsey still remained immensely popular during these years and even brought boxing its first million dollar gate with his knockout of war hero George Carpentier. He also engaged in a memorable slugfest win against Luis Firpo where he recovered from being knocked out of the ring.

He lost the title in 1926 after being shutout in every round against light-heavyweight champ Gene Tunney. In the return bout in 1927, Dempsey knocked Tunney down with a left hook in the seventh. He failed to go to the neutral corner as the referee instructed, and lost valuable seconds in the count. Tunney was able to recover and dominated the rest of the bout. This incident became known as the infamous “Long Count.” Dempsey retired after this fight.

“The Manassa Mauler” is remembered for his two fisted punching power and relentless swarming offense on his opponents. He inspired a young Mike Tyson, decades later adopted Dempsey’s in-ring style and even a similar haircut to his idol. Early in his career, Tyson wore white shorts in tribute and even retained Dempsey’s habit of picking up knocked out foes and helping them to their corner. Martial artist Bruce Lee also cited Dempsey as an influence on helping him develop his technique and eventual Jeet Kune Do martial arts system.

In retirement he held many exhibitions and ran the famous eatery Jack Dempsey’s Broadway Restaurant from 1935-1974. Dempsey also famously knocked out two would be muggers as an elderly man in New York City.

Jack Dempsey’s final record stands at 66-6-11 (51 KOs). He passed away of an amphetamine overdose on May 31, 1983.

Considered one of the biggest sports stars in American history, Jack Dempsey is enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Jack Dempsey Highlights