Dempsey had a hard life, and he fought hard as a result.
Riding the rails as a hobo and living in poverty made him tough. So, in the ring, he brought that rage to use in aggressive attacks.
And, a some have suggested, the style of the times was less civilized, to say the least.
While he was tough, it seems Dempsey had a good heart. He had a humble pride of his mormon heritage and Christian values. On his deathbed, his last words to his wife were "Don't worry honey; I'm too mean to die".
Such a man, if here alive today in our modern heavyweight division, would be a champion even if he were schooled to have modern sensibilities and followed current rules.
I have just read a book about Ali called King of the world by David remnick and said that Dempsey would dip his hand wraps in plaster of Paris .
not sure if its true.......
During this and even later, it was very common for boxers to use techniques that were not exactly legal.
Using thumbs, and elbows, rabbit punches, and low blows were common.
This was not the gentleman's sport you see today.
No.............He fought to win, as many do today. Tyson IMO was the dirtiest biting Holyfields ear off.
No, he was just a tough competitor. He did everything to win.
He made fights uncomfortable, just charged in with his head low headfirst. Kept the fight inside but did it in a way that allowed him to get in low blows without the ref seeing.
Check out his first with Jack Sharkey. DISGUSTING.
Dempsey hit him with his shoulder, the elbow and got the knock out shot thanks to an opening made by a low blow.
I give him credit for having great ko power in close quarters. He didn't need to cock his punches to knock you out.
