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- March 7, 2020
- 8:06 pm
Jack Dempsey, the original Mike Tyson.
An in depth career tribute to the man who inspired Iron Mike, the Manassa Mauler, Jack Dempsey.
How did Jack Dempsey’s life and career inspire Mike Tyson to pursue a career in boxing?
Jack Dempsey | The Man Who Inspired Mike Tyson
Jack Dempsey was an American professional boxer who fought during the early 20th century. He was a charismatic fighter who became a household name, inspiring many young boxers to follow in his footsteps. One of those young boxers who were inspired by him was none other than Mike Tyson, who is considered to be one of the greatest boxers of all time. Here we discuss Jack Dempsey’s life and career and how he inspired Mike Tyson.
Dempsey was born in Manassa, Colorado, in 1895. He had a tough childhood, and his family was constantly on the move, looking for work. As a result, he had to drop out of school at an early age and work odd jobs to help support his family. It was during this time that he developed an interest in boxing, and he began training at a local gym. He quickly realized that he had a natural talent for the sport and decided to pursue it as a career.
Dempsey began his professional boxing career in 1914 and quickly rose through the ranks. He fought some of the best boxers of his time and became known for his powerful punches and aggressive fighting style. In 1919, he fought Jess Willard for the world heavyweight title and won, becoming the new heavyweight champion of the world.
Dempsey’s career was not without controversy. In 1926, he fought Gene Tunney for the heavyweight title, and during the fight, he knocked Tunney down but failed to go to a neutral corner, which resulted in a long count. Tunney was able to get up and win the fight by decision. Many boxing fans felt that Dempsey deserved to win the fight and argued that the referee had made the wrong call.
Despite the controversy, Dempsey continued to inspire young boxers. One of those young boxers was Mike Tyson. Tyson grew up in a tough neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, and was constantly getting into trouble. However, he discovered boxing and found that he had a natural talent for the sport. He began studying Dempsey’s fighting style and was inspired by his aggressive approach to the sport.
Tyson started his professional boxing career in 1985, and like Dempsey, he quickly rose through the ranks. He became known for his devastating knockout punches and his ferocious fighting style. In 1986, he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history, at just 20 years old.
Tyson’s career was also not without controversy. In 1997, he was disqualified for biting off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a fight. He also had legal troubles outside of the ring and spent time in prison for rape.
Despite the controversy, Tyson remains one of the most talented boxers of all time, and he credits his success to Dempsey’s influence. “Jack Dempsey was my hero,” he once said in an interview. “He was the reason I started boxing. I watched him fight, and I wanted to be just like him.”
In conclusion, Jack Dempsey was a legendary boxer who inspired many young fighters, including Mike Tyson. His aggressive fighting style and powerful punches continue to inspire boxers today, and his legacy in the sport of boxing will never be forgotten.
