BoxRec

After the first Tunney fight Dempsey knocked out Jack Sharkey in seven rounds and prior to that he fought an exhibition with Schmelling, I believe.

Then he lost to Tunney again in the fight of the famous "Long Count".

Then after one more title defense Tunney left, and Dempsey fought over a hundred or so exhibitions. But never made an official comeback after he was beaten severely by Kingfish Levinsky.

But in my opinion had Dempsey of returned and Sharkey's reign was on, Dempsey would have been the first man to have regained the title and not Patterson.

Do you agree that the 'Manassa Mauler' could kick 'The Boston Gob(s)' ass?

I doubt it. He was past his prime and his first win over Sharkey he was losing before a controversial blow that ended the fight. Pressure fighters when passed their prime tend to lose it fast because they rely on reflexes and athletic ability (Tyson and Frazier come to mind). So i dont think he could have pulled it off at his age if he stayed in and fought Sharkey.

Shortly after the second Tunney fight, Dempsey said he didn't want a third one because he was afraid he might go blind...Tunney's punches were so sharp and accurate. He also said that in the rounds before the knockout Sharkey was the best fighter he ever fought. So, I think Dempsey's decision to stick to exhibitions was a good one as he himself doubted if he could be champion again. Smart move, as he remained popular througout his life and there are no films of a plodding has been with shot reflexes. Instead,the image seen most of him from old films is him standing over Tunney dujring the "long count."

I saw a film of the Sharkey fight. Dempsey was losing and threw a low blow. Sharkey turned to complain to the ref, and Dempsey knocked him
out when he turned his head. Dempsey does not beat Sharkey, Schmeling, etc. if he keeps fighting. Sharkey was handling him quite well.