Jack Dempsey Had Learnt That Gangster Al Capone Was a Big Fight FanThe second rematch fight between world heavyweight champion Gene Tunney and the former world heavyweight boxing champion "Manassa Mauler" Jack Dempsey was known as the "long count fight" was held on the 25th September 1927, at soldier field in Chicago. Exactly 364 days before, on the 26th of September 1926, Gene Tunney had beaten Dempsey by a ten round unanimous decision to lift the world heavyweight title, in Philadelphia. Ironically, the first fight between Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey was moved out of Chicago because Jack Dempsey had learnt that the big time gangster man Al Capone was a big fan of his, and he did not want Al Capone to be involved in the fight. Despite the fact that Gene Tunney had won the first fight by a wide margin on the scorecards, the rematch created much more interest as the boxing fans had expected their hero Dempsey to win the re-match. Jack Dempsey was one of the so called big five sporting legends of the 20s, and it was widely rumoured that he had refused to participate in the military during World War I. Tunney Was a Former Marine Corps, Who Enjoyed Literacy and Fine ArtsIn actual fact, Dempsey had attempted to get enlisted in the army but he was turned down by the United States Army. Gene Tunney, who enjoyed literacy and the arts, was a former member of the United States Marine Corps. Tunney's moniker was "The Fighting Marine." Days prior to the fight, quite a few of the boxing rules had changed. The new rule was that if a fighter was knock down by his opponent The referees from then on would, order the fighter that delivered the punch to go to a neutral corner. Then the referee would issue a mandatory eight seconds count. If the fighter who dropped his opponent did not move a neutral corner the referee would not continue with the mandatory 8 count if fighter if the fighter who knock down his opponent did obey the rule to go to a neutral corner. These changes were made so that fallen fighters could have a chance of recuperating and avoid worse injuries. Jack Dempsey, in his wisdom leading up to the final days of training prior to the rematch, it appears as if Jack Dempsey had presumably ignored the setting of these new boxing rules. Dempsey Unleashed a Combination of Punches That Floored TunneyDuring the rematch fight, Gene Tunney was, by most accounts, dominating the fight from rounds from the first round to the sixth round, using his own familiar style of boxing from a distance while looking for openings and, at the same time, building points lead. Up until the end of round six, nothing indicated this fight would be far different from their first meeting. But in round seventh round however, the 104,000 in attendance witnessed a moment that would live on in the annals of boxing history forever. With Gene Tunney trapped against the ropes and near a corner, Jack Dempsey unleashed a combination of punches that floored the champion. Two rights and two lefts landed on Gene Tunney's chin and staggered him, four more punches deposited him on the canvas. Gene Tunney was dizzy and disoriented form Jack Dempsey's flurry of punches. Gene Tunney grabbed on to the top rope with his left hand. Instead of Jack Dempsey going to a neutral as he should have done as the new rules stated, he stood over his man looking down at him. Before the rematch with jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney the new boxing rules did not apply to boxing then. Gene Tunney Was Given The Long Count. Jack Dempsey was in the habit of standing over an opponents and then would rush right back at them just after they got up. In this rematch fight that was not allowed. Referee Dave Barry ordered Jack Dempsey to move to a neutral corner, but the referee order was to no avail as far as Jack Dempsey was concerned. He just stood there holding his ground while he continued observing his opponent. This act of Dempsey gave Gene Tunney precious seconds in which he recapture his senses. By the time Dempsey finally walked to a neutral corner, Gene Tunney had been down for around between 3 and 7 seconds enough time for him recuperate. All this time referee Dave Barry could not begin a count on Gene Tunney until until the foolish and arrogant Jack Dempsey had gone to a neutral corner, had he done as the referee ordered Jack Dempsey would have been standing tall. However, Dave Barry was still able to count up nine before Gene Tunney rise to his feet, hence, "the long count." Had Dempsey respond to the referee's orders in time. Jack Dempsey would have most likely regained his world heavyweight crown with a seventh round knockout over Gene Tunney. |
In Boxing Jack Dempsey Was A Star AttractionThe Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney re-match was the closing chapter in one of boxing's greatest stories. Before the 1920s there had never been a million-dollar gate. Jack Dempsey was the star attraction in his first five fights, all of which were promoted by Tex Rickard. There were only four more boxing matches between 1930 and 1960. Tex Rickard, who had built Madison Square Garden into one of the major sports arena in the world, died in early 1929. Gene Tunney fought just once more, defeating Tom Heeney in 1928, and became the first heavyweight champion to retire undefeated. with Rocky Marciano is the only other boxing champion to retire as undefeated champion and stayed retired. | |
