Dempsey, Jack (1895-1983), became one of the most popular heavyweight boxing champions of all time. He was also one of the most fearsome with over 25 first-round knockouts, more than any fighter in history. He knocked out Jess Willard in 1919 to win the title. Dempsey lost the title in 1926 to Gene Tunney. Their second fight, in Chicago in 1927, featured the famous “long count.” Dempsey knocked Tunney down in the seventh round. But he did not go to a neutral corner immediately, so referee Dave Barry delayed starting the count over Tunney. Tunney rose at the count of 9, but observers estimated this was equal to a count of 14. Tunney went on to win the fight by a 10-round decision.
William Harrison Dempsey was born on June 24, 1895, in Manassa, Colorado. He started fighting professionally in 1914. Dempsey was nicknamed the Manassa Mauler by sports journalist Damon Runyon. Dempsey discussed his boxing career in his autobiography, Dempsey (1977). He died on May 31, 1983.
