July 2, 1921 – It was a title fight of title fights in the sport of boxing’s first million-dollar-plus gate. The grand total was right around $1.7 million in fact. The participants had something to do with the hype and popularity of the match. World heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey would face a worthy challenger Frenchman Georges Carpentier.
The Champ knocked out Capentier in round 4 of his 3rd title defense in front of a cheering crowd of 91,000 spectators at Boyle’s Thirty Acres in Jersey City, New Jersey. Nicknamed the Manassa Mauler, Dempsey competed from 1914 through 1927 and reigned as the HeavyWeight Title holder for much of that, 1919 through 1926.
Jack would definitely throw punches and in doing so so often and the power he had behind them it is no wonder that he is one of the most popular boxers in history.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Roll With The “R” – R.I.P. Razor Ramon
This summer I was totally enthralled by the audiobook BLOOD, SWEAT & CHROME by Kyle Buchanan. The
December 7, 1947: The Jekyll and Hyde of the NFL (Chicago Cardinals)
As we kick off our bonus coverage of the 1947 Chicago Cardinals championship run,
Bears vs. Cardinals: The NFL’s Oldest Rivalry Book Preview
In this episode of “When Football Was Football’” Joe Ziemba previews his latest book,
Blue Corner Pro Boxing Returns to Kansas City in January 2026
Kansas City fight fans are preparing for a major moment as Blue Corner Pro
Broadway Joe’s Lasting Impact on the NFL
Does Joe Namath deserve to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? To
Bob Lilly a.k.a. “Mr. Cowboy” – (Mark and Dave’s All-Time Favorite Player)
After an All-American career at Texas Christian University, Bob Lilly was the first-ever draft
1-on-1: Magic Johnson vs. Rony Seikaly
Doing a good deed is always a good thing. It shows others that we
When Machine Gun Jack Met The Galloping Ghost!
Some may claim that Chicago has a bad reputation…and not necessarily just in football!