Evidence against Dempsey's ATG status:
Dempsey gained the title by beating Jess Willard, who was inactive for roughly three years prior to their bout. It was also reported by Jack Kearns that Dempsey's hand wraps were "loaded" with plaster of paris.
Dempsey's best wins are against Firpo, Gibbons and Carpentier.
Firpo was on a good win streak, but not ATG.
Gibbons wasnt rated.
Carpentier was excellent, and the European HW champ, but was a small HW, more suited for LHW.
After loosing the title to the LHW Tunney, Dempsey won against Sharkey with what might be fair to consider a cheep shot.
In summation: Dempsey's resume doesnt really match up with other ATG resume's.
Evidence for Dempsey's ATG status:
The Tunney bouts were past his prime.
The long count.
Respectably long title reign.
Kearns' claims about loaded wraps might amount to no more than sour g****s.
Obvious power, skills, ferocity, etc. displayed in footage of his fights.
What he meant for boxing, in terms of him popularizing the sport.
In summation:There are other considerations that work in Dempsey's favor for securing his ATG status.
So, Where do you all rank him as an ATG, and why (or why not)?
Dempsey gained the title by beating Jess Willard, who was inactive for roughly three years prior to their bout. It was also reported by Jack Kearns that Dempsey's hand wraps were "loaded" with plaster of paris.
Dempsey's best wins are against Firpo, Gibbons and Carpentier.
Firpo was on a good win streak, but not ATG.
Gibbons wasnt rated.
Carpentier was excellent, and the European HW champ, but was a small HW, more suited for LHW.
After loosing the title to the LHW Tunney, Dempsey won against Sharkey with what might be fair to consider a cheep shot.
In summation: Dempsey's resume doesnt really match up with other ATG resume's.
Evidence for Dempsey's ATG status:
The Tunney bouts were past his prime.
The long count.
Respectably long title reign.
Kearns' claims about loaded wraps might amount to no more than sour g****s.
Obvious power, skills, ferocity, etc. displayed in footage of his fights.
What he meant for boxing, in terms of him popularizing the sport.
In summation:There are other considerations that work in Dempsey's favor for securing his ATG status.
So, Where do you all rank him as an ATG, and why (or why not)?
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