Jack Dempsey was a iconic man during the 1920's along side Babe Ruth. In the boxing world he was known to be a fierce competitor and held the world heavyweight championship from 1919-1926. He was known as the "Manassa Mauler".

His boxing Career

Jack Dempsey started his career at a young age mainly fighting in mining towns. His trainer or teacher was his older brother. One reason why he was so hard to beat was because he grew up being a farm hand, a miner, and a cowboy. In 1919 he won the world heavyweight championship from Jess Willard. He defended his title 5 times before losing in 1926 to Gene Tunney.

Childhood

He was born to Hyrum and Celia Dempsey in Manassa, Colorado in 1895. His dad worked as a schoolteacher. Around 1880 a missionary group of Mormons converted his parents to Mormonism. As he grew up he was converted to this belief too. His dad actually later abandoned it but his mom stayed faithful and Jack was raised in the church.

Older years

He dropped out of 8th grade to take care of his struggling family. By age 17 he had became a skilled fighter and went under the name Kid Blackie. In his Salt Lake City saloon debut he knocked his opponent out, a boxer by the name One Punch Hancock. His brother Bernie went under the name Jack Dempsey, but when his brother became ill, Jack filled in and won the fight. The nickname stuck with him from there and on. Jack Dempsey actually skipped the draft to instead box.

Becoming a champion

Dempsey became a champion on Independence Day in 1919. He then defended his title 5 times until losing it to Gene Tunney in 1926. He then a year later challenged him again but lost. He would´ve won, but didn´t know about a new rule that made him return to his neutral corner, allowing Gene another 5 seconds to get up, ultimately costing his win against him.

Personal Life

Dempsey retired after his second fight and then focused more on his personal life. He married four times during his life and had 7 children with 3 of the women, one was adopted. He died of heart failure in 1983. He was ranked as the second top athlete of the 1920´s behind Babe Ruth. He was inducted to the boxing hall of fame in 1954 and is still ranked in the top ten greatest boxers of all time.