Jack Dempey v Jack Johnson,would this have been a classic?

Question

since I was a kid Ive often wondered of the outcome of a fight with these two,Ive extensive video coverage of both of them and Ive my own opinion as to the outcome of this fight had they been at peak at the same period,what do you reckon??

Answer 1

Two all time great and legendary fighters.  This is a tough question in a fight that could have went either way.  Jack Johnson was of course the first black heavyweight champion and had a reputation of being very flambuoyant and controversial much like Ali was many years later.  He was a great fighter with superb defensive skills well known for his ability to lean back from punches and parying punches too.  The Manassa Mauler Jack Dempsey had a very appropriate nickname as he used a bob and weave style of fighting looking to land power punches.  He was also very quick with power in either hand.  Dempsey may very well of had problems against Johnson's boxing ability as he did against Tunney but Dempsey in his real prime was far better than the rusty one who fought Tunney.  I believe that in this fight Dempsey would have bored inside of Johnson's defense landing terriffic body punches.  Johnson would have countered by tying Dempsey up and looking to throw uppercuts.  This would have went on like this until about the 11th round when Dempsey would have landed a fearsome three punch combination and sent Johnson to the canvas.  Johnson would beat the count but be pummeled back to the canvas as Dempsey when he had you hurt would usually finish the job.  This time Johnon can't beat the count and Dempsey is the winner by knockout in 11 great rounds of fighting between legends.  Good question sir.

Answer 2

Very well said Toughguy. If Stanely Ketchel (5'9 140-170lbs...Over the hill Joe Choynski (5'9 160-175 lbs.) and Bob Thompson (5'6 133-145 lbs.) all could put Johnson on his butt, I have no doubt Dempsey could do it faster, more often and and in a far more vicious manner. Many fighters not in Dempsey's league took Johnson the distance. (Marvin Hart.)

Dempsey was very fast in reflexes and hand speed. Dempsey was also very good at slipping, feinting and then exploding. He had a great combination of skills which would allow him to handle any style.

Johnson like to set the pace in a bout. With Dempsey he couldnt. Dempsey would swarm Johnson from the start and would slowly but surely start overwhelming him.

Nice comment Galactuc

Answer 3

Jack Dempey

Answer 4

Buckle up.

First: Rumor has it that this fight actually happened in an exhibition in Canada.  I remember reading it in Ring Magazine WAAAAAAY back when I was in high school.  I read it again years later.  No winner was given though the article hinted that Dempsey won.  

Of course Johnson was 17 years older than Dempsey.   But the age difference between Floyd Patterson and Archie Moore was greater than that.  And dont forget  "Ancient Archie also fought a young Cassius Clay,  who could be his "Grandson!"  (LOL,  did he fight Tyson too?).

I've always felt that, though he's great, Johnson is given a but too much credit simply because he was the first Black Champion.  He does deserve credit because he was PROBABLY the best of the many great Black Heavyweights of his time.  I say PROBABLY because it's well known that MANY of them avoided Sam Langford.  

I say Dempsey would have won this fight.  Now I'll tell you why.

People often compare Johnson to Muhammad ALi.  I have always said that Johnson has more in common with Larry Holmes than with Ali.   Holmes, like Johnson was a great boxer.  However,  neither had the footwork of Ali.  Look at all of Johnson's fights.  The ENTIRE way of THINKING was very different during those times.  Jack was a genius because no one thought of ''Hitting without being hit'' before Jim Corbett.  Johnson took it a step further.  

However, his opponests made it very easy for him.  Each of them stood right in front of him.  He was so well hated that his opponents tried to take him out with every shot.  Many of them fouled intentionally.  Johnson had fast hands, compared to those guys,  but his foot work is a distant second to Ali's.  Even Gene Tunney had more movement than Johnson.  

Jack could move fast enough to get out of the way of the men he fought.  However, NONE Of them applied the pressure that Dempsey did.  Johnson likely ranks higher than Dempsey, like Marciano ranks higher than Lennox Lewis.  However,  that doesnt mean that the higher ranked fighter, between any two, would necessarily beat his lower ranked counterpart.  

All of Johnson's opponents came straight at him.  They were all tailor made for him, just like many of the later day champions would have been.  However,  I think Jack would have tremendous problems from the pressure type fighters.  He ranks above Tyson too.  But, c'mon,  can he REALLY ward off Mike's early onslaught?  Possibly.  But it wont be because he can dance out of the way.  He would have to make Mike miss.

Dempsey would come straight at Johnson too.  Im not talking about the slow, poorly conditioned movie star who became winded early against Tunney.  At that time,  Jack wasnt much into boxing anymore.  He was more into enjoying WHAT Being the Champ Meant to him.  

Johnson would survive the early aggresive rush of Dempsey.  However,  he would have his hands full with Dempsey landing with the kind of pressure Johnoson isnt used to.  He would tie Dempsey up a lot but not often to stop him.  

Dempsey by 15 round desision.

Answer 5

It would have been the greatest fight, in terms of hype, of all time.  Historically speaking, defense and scientific boxing beats aggressive slugging.  Jack Johnson, smiling the whole time, wins a decision

Answer 6

one of the greatest punchers and pressure fighters vs the slick galvaston giant............this is leonard hearns and pep sadler !!!

i'm gonna go with johnson to outbox dempsey here, maybe even stopping him very late in the bout.

Answer 7

I feel that Johnson's style and use of power would be too much for Dempsey after about 15 rounds, Johnson was awesome really ahead of his time, Dempsey was no push over by any means but I like Jack J. in this one.