Jack Dempsey essays

Jack Dempsey essays During the 1920s people in the United States turned out in masses to witness various sporting events throughout the country. Professional boxing was arguably the most popular attraction for the sporting crowd and fighters like Harry Greb, Benny Leonard and Mickey Walker consistently brought out fans by the thousands every time that they fought. However, no one could fill the seats the way that Jack Dempsey could. Jack Dempsey was born in Manassa, Colorado on June 24, 1895. He grew up in the various mining towns of Colorado and it was there that he got his first taste of professional boxing. From 1911 until 1914 Dempsey had hundreds of barroom fights and it is not certain when his first professional bout occurred, but whenever it was he fought using the moniker of Kid Blackie. From August 18, 1914 up to July 4, 1919, Dempsey left a trail of beaten heavyweights in his wake, most by early round knockouts. Due to the fact that most champions avoided most of the better colored fighters of the era, Dempsey was the logical contender to receive a shot at Jess Willards heavyweight title. On July 4, 1919 in Toledo, Ohio Jack Dempsey stepped into the ring weighing 187 pounds, opposing him was the 245 pound champion Jess Willard. For the three rounds that the fight lasted, Dempsey administered one of the fiercest beatings in ring history. Willards face was mask of gore as Dempsey ruthlessly attacked his prey. At the end of three rounds, Willard sat on the stool in his corner a beaten man. In the opposite corner sat the new heavyweight champion of the world. After winning the title Dempsey fought mostly exhibitions electing only to defend the title ever so often, but when he did defend new arenas had to be built because most could not hold the gigantic crowds that filled the seats. On July 2, 1921 Dempsey fought Georges Carpentier, the European heavyweight champion in what would become ...