Jack Dempsey

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	"Dempsey's too small to take Willard," Kelly said.      "A good little man can often trim a big guy," Studs said, hoping they'd think of himself."
-	James T. Farrell (The Young Manhood of Studs Lonigan)

Most everyone who remembers William Harrison Dempsey - better known as Jack - knows he lost the heavyweight title to Gene Tunney on September 22, 1927 in Chicago's Soldier's Field. That was when Jack knocked Gene down for the "long count". But instead of Gene having ten seconds to get up after the knockdown, because Jack forgot about a new rule, the count lasted an extra five seconds. Then Gene got up and went on to win.

But Jack's first big fight was in 1919 when he took on the then heavyweight champion of the world Jess Willard. And yes, Jess was much heavier and taller.

As far as Jack's fightname, many people mishear it and think Jack was from ...

Well, to learn about Jack's real monicker - plus a bit about his life, where he was from, and his times - just click here.