Jack DEMPSEY (1920) vs Floyd PATTERSON (1960). . . Who would win and why?

Question

If styles make fights, then this one should be a real "DREAM FIGHT". . . . Two heavyweight champions, both under 200 lbs, from totally different eras, with different pedigrees. A pre-Depression poor street kid turned elite powerhouse athlete. . . taking on another poor street kid turned Olympic Gold medalist as a slick stylist with a killer "gazelle" punch. I'd have LOVED to see this one!

Answer 1

I know a lot about boxing but Jack  Dempsey I know very little about but I do know a lot about Floyd Patterson someone above me said that Floyd Patterson had a glass jaw are you kidding me if that is the case every heavy weight champion who has ever lived has a glass jaw just because a guy gets KO does not mean he can,t take a punch. Any man weighing 200 pounds can knock you out specially one who has trained to do it.  All of you think Dempsey would have won so I will go a lone with the crowed I will  do some research on Mr. Dempsey I know he was a very interesting person because I wrote his wife a letter years ago I think it had something to do with his health.

Answer 2

Good question sir.  These two are about even in size as far as height, weight, and reach.  Dempsey had that crouching, bobbing and weaving style applying relentless pressure before unloading fierce bombs in either hand.  He also was not a slow fighter either with his hands or feet and would have been able to cut off the ring against Patterson.  Patterson had great hand speed especially for a heavyweight behind that peek a boo style of defense.  He also had a great leaping left hook that was capable of putting his opponents to the canvas.  The major glaring difference in this fight is toughness and the ability to absorb punches and Patterson was well known for visiting the canvas.  This would have been a fast paced bout with both men landing fairly evenly for about 5 rounds with Dempsey in pursuit throughout and Patterson boxing effectively.  Suddenly in round 6, Dempsey would have unloaded a barrage of punches and sent Patterson down for the 10 count.

Answer 3

Dempsey doesnt fare well against those in the Top 12 but he'd have a field day with Patterson.  Its very simple, like Tyson-Spinks.   One guy has EVERY physical advantage over the other.  

The ONE advantage Patterson has over Dempsey is hand speed.   It would do him no good.  He doesn't hit hard enough to discourage Dempsey.  He would certainly get his attention but no more than pissing him off.   Patterson simply doesn't take a punch well enough to survive more than a few rounds.  He's fast of HAND, not FOOT so there would be no escape.

Dempsey won't hit Patterson as hard as Liston did and Patterson might now fear him as he did Liston.  Patterson would last a few rounds because Dempsey doesnt have the benefit of the absense of a standing 8 count.  He was quick enough to get the jump on his opponents and score first,  thus keeping them in trouble,  hense the reason he has so many early KOs.  

Still its just simple numbers.   Dempsey can punch.  Patterson doesn't take a punch very well.  Patterson is not a runner so Dempsey won't have far to search.  Patterson is fast but his speed becomes a moot issue here.

Dempsey by KO in 3

Answer 4

Dempsy all day. FP's was knocked down more times than any other HW champ in history. Although in FP's defense he also got off his back to to win more times than anyone else. JD would have knocked him out after smelling blood in the water when FP went down . JD was a beast!!

Answer 5

Patterson was susceptable to aggressive, big punchers like Johansson and Liston. If you look up 'aggressive big puncher' in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Dempsey.  Dempsey by early KO.

Answer 6

Jack Dempsey all the way.  Patterson's chin let him down, and JD would find it fairly early for a ko.

Answer 7

dempsey may have been smaller than sonny liston, but he still carried a deadly punch, and it's that punch that makes all the difference.

patterson had the power in his left hook to floor dempsey, but jack's pressure would be too much for floyd to handle and he would stop or kayo patterson in 8 rounds.

Answer 8

Jack Dempsey would "moidah de bum". No one ever matched Jack's heart for a fight. He beat men much better than floyd patterson.

Answer 9

Patterson had a glass jaw and even though he was fast he wouldn't have had the chance to fight back against a pressure fighter like Dempsey, Jack just kept coming and coming throwing very deadly flurries (his punches really hurt) he would have been too much to handle for someone like floyd patterson and moreover Jack Dempsey had a much better chin than Patterson.

Answer 10

Jack Dempsey was too rough and tumble for Floyd, I really believe that Floyd was only as good as his era let him be, I'm not too impressed with him, plus he was a mess outside the ring, he used to wear fake beards and stuff when he left the arena 'cause he didn't like people looking at him, his skills were slightly above average, but could be easily intimidated.