Jack Dempsey

William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey (June 24, 1895 – May 31, 1983) was an American boxer who held the world heavyweight title between 1919 and 1926. Known as "The Manassa Mauler," Dempsey was a tremendous puncher famous for his exciting fights, many of which set financial and attendance records.

Dempsey and Carpentier in the arena before they fight

Quotes

Jack Dempsey holding his wife, Estelle Taylor, on his shoulder

• A champion is someone who gets up when he can't.
  • Dempsey's definition of a champion. [[1]]

• Honey, I just forgot to duck.
  • To his wife on losing the world heavyweight title (September 23, 1926) - quoted by Ronald Reagan in 1981

• Nobody has to go hungry today. There is plenty of work for a man who wants to work. A kid can make plenty of dough for himself doing almost anything. I was hungry. I had to fight my way along. Freights and the like, fight, fight all the time. The life was tough, but it hardened you.
  • Jack speaking to The Ring Magazine (May 1956)

• When I was a young fellow I was knocked down plenty. I wanted to stay down, but I couldn’t. I had to collect the two dollars for winning or go hungry. I had to get up. I was one of those hungry fighters. You could have hit me on the chin with a sledgehammer for five dollars. When you haven’t eaten for two days you’ll understand.
  • Grantland Rice quoting Dempsey, Book of Boxing, page 299.

About Jack Dempsey

• He should’ve been the only heavyweight anybody ever thought of when they thought about the greatest heavyweight champion. I mean he had everything. He could punch, he could box. He was mean and determined.
  • Trainer Ray Arcel[[2]]

• There's no place for pity in the ring. Many fighters can't bear to hammer a helpless opponent in the ring. They don't want to hurt him. But look at Dempsey he was probably the greatest rough and tumble fighter who ever lived.
  • Dan Morgan, fight manager[[3]]