1940 - Dempsey vs Louis who wins

[markusmod]

As per my original post Nat was referencing the different knockdown rules of the respective eras. Neutral corner rule vs no neutral corner rule.

So Nat felt Dempsey would dominate early and without a neutral corner rule he would keep Louis hurt. With a neutral corner rule Louis would have a bit more time to recover and do what Louis normally did to opponents after he was hurt.

You raise a good point.

[them_apples]

I was sent an article from 1940 that posed the question of who would win this matchup.

Interestingly those that chose Dempsey mentioned Dempseys punching power as well as Dempsey being able to “take it” OR Louis inability to “take it”.

Those that chose Louis primarily felt Louis hit harder(?) than Dempsey.

Fleischer’s opinion was interesting and filled in a “blank” I had regarding this opinion.

If you read his book dated late 50’s..50 Years at Ringside Nat rated Dempsey as the 4th greatest heavyweight and Louis 6th. He does not state who would win this fight but intimates Dempsey as he mentions Dempseys fast start, Louis being a slow starter off the blocks, Dempsey being quicker and having the better chin.

Fast foreword to the late 1960’s during the radio broadcast of an all time computer heavyweight boxing championship Fleischer is asked his opinion prior to the computer generated fight. Nat stated that Louis would knock out Dempsey in six rounds as both hit equally hard but Louis the better boxer (although Dempsey could box well).

Within the 1940 article Fleischer stated that Dempsey would win by ko in two rounds under his eras knockdown rules whereas Louis wins by ko in 6 rounds under the knockdown rules of his era.

Both Joe Jacobs and Mike Jacobs picked Louis due to his tremendous punching power.

I would pick Louis, I totally agree though, the rules matter. dempsey grappled a lot more. if dempsey came to Joes era and had to only shoot from the shoulders im sure Louis skillset is better. If hes being grabbed and butted though its hard to say. dempsey had decent defense for an agressive fighter

[QueensburyRules]

I would pick Louis, I totally agree though, the rules matter. dempsey grappled a lot more. if dempsey came to Joes era and had to only shoot from the shoulders im sure Louis skillset is better. If hes being grabbed and butted though its hard to say. dempsey had decent defense for an agressive fighter

- - Dempsey wasn't a head butter, but U better butter that toast in U noggin before it burns.

[HOUDINI563]

I’m not seeing lots of grappling inside with Dempsey. Just rapid fire punching inside. He was able to slip an opponent’s blows and get inside very quickly. Quicker than any other heavyweight I’ve watched. He would then unload to his opponents vital areas with both fists once positioned in between his opponents arms. He would also shift quickly to his left and right to keep his opponent out of position to hit him. Dempsey was vastly superior both in terms of intrinsic physical athletic gifts and skill than both Marciano and Frazier that came after him.

[them_apples]

- - Dempsey wasn't a head butter, but U better butter that toast in U noggin before it burns.

he wasn't a butter but it was common strategy back then to pin your head underneath the other mans head all night so he cant see what hes doing and hes slamming his face into your head all the time. I saw dempsey do this a lot

[them_apples]

- - Dempsey wasn't a head butter, but U better butter that toast in U noggin before it burns.

https://*************/watch?v=BPiaV2BUyIw

id say he only head butts for about half the rounds lol

[HOUDINI563]

Some of the best infighting/body punching in boxing history being exhibited by Dempsey here.

[Incapable]

Jack was a great 4-5 round s killer. Joe could be hurt early.
I say Dempsey by 4.

[QueensburyRules]

https://*************/watch?v=BPiaV2BUyIw

id say he only head butts for about half the rounds lol

- - Head to head fighting common back then and not uncommon to see today. Within the the 1st 30 sec Sharkey combines a shove and butt to get Dempsey with his body shots off him...you're welcome...

[cfang]

Dempsey looked impressive against the fat, slow Willard but struggled with Brennan, gibbons etc then lost to Tunney. Louis made 26 title defences and what would that have been without the war? 40? Louis a cut above and he’d beat Dempsey.