Jack Dempsey, Boxing Legend, Hero - Martial Arts Instructor?

In 1917 nobody thought that Jack Dempsey would winIn 1917 nobody thought that Jack Dempsey would win
the title, but with a 77 inch reach and his unorthodoxthe title, but with a 77 inch reach and his unorthodox
stance he would destroy heavy weight champion Jessstance he would destroy heavy weight champion Jess
Willard. In the first round alone he would knock WillardWillard. In the first round alone he would knock Willard
down seven times, and by the third Willard was toodown seven times, and by the third Willard was too
badly hurt to continue. Over his professional career hebadly hurt to continue. Over his professional career he
would amass some 60 wins (51 by knockout) and ofwould amass some 60 wins (51 by knockout) and of
those 51 knock outs, 26 happened in the first round Hethose 51 knock outs, 26 happened in the first round He
only had 7 losses, 8 draws and 5 no decisions over hisonly had 7 losses, 8 draws and 5 no decisions over his
career. While that was impressive, Dempseycareer. While that was impressive, Dempsey
understood that boxing was only a combat sport andunderstood that boxing was only a combat sport and
real fighting required you to abandon any sense of fairreal fighting required you to abandon any sense of fair
play. He proved time and time again in the ring that heplay. He proved time and time again in the ring that he
was a great athlete, but in World War II he wouldwas a great athlete, but in World War II he would
show the Navy what real fighting was all about.show the Navy what real fighting was all about.
Jack Dempsey was born William Harrison DempseyJack Dempsey was born William Harrison Dempsey
on June 24th 1895 in Manassa, Colorado the 9th of 11on June 24th 1895 in Manassa, Colorado the 9th of 11
children. By the age of 16 he was fighting for drinks inchildren. By the age of 16 he was fighting for drinks in
local saloons. Before settling down in New York City,local saloons. Before settling down in New York City,
he bounced around the country doing everything fromhe bounced around the country doing everything from
digging ditches to cutting timber. He even worked asdigging ditches to cutting timber. He even worked as
circus roustabout (workman or laborer). During thiscircus roustabout (workman or laborer). During this
time, he still managed to refine his art. In addition to atime, he still managed to refine his art. In addition to a
powerful punch, Dempsey could also move fastpowerful punch, Dempsey could also move fast
enough to dodge an opponent's blows.enough to dodge an opponent's blows.
Dempsey treated every fight like a street fighter not aDempsey treated every fight like a street fighter not a
boxer. He didn't fight dirty, but he knew he had to endboxer. He didn't fight dirty, but he knew he had to end
things quickly or he would only increase his chances ofthings quickly or he would only increase his chances of
getting hurt. Dempsey had an outstanding career andgetting hurt. Dempsey had an outstanding career and
would even do a number of exhibition bouts after hiswould even do a number of exhibition bouts after his
retirement, but finest moments would not come in theretirement, but finest moments would not come in the
ring, but wearing a United States military uniform.ring, but wearing a United States military uniform.
In 1917 when Americans were going off to fight WorldIn 1917 when Americans were going off to fight World
War I Dempsey kept boxing and working in a shipyard.War I Dempsey kept boxing and working in a shipyard.
After the war people accused him unfairly of draftAfter the war people accused him unfairly of draft
dodging despite several attempts to enlist in the armydodging despite several attempts to enlist in the army
and being told to keep fighting. Even though he wasand being told to keep fighting. Even though he was
vindicated, it still bothered Dempsey personally. Sovindicated, it still bothered Dempsey personally. So
when World War II rolled around he jumped at thewhen World War II rolled around he jumped at the
chance to serve. He was first commissioned as achance to serve. He was first commissioned as a
Lieutenant in the New York State Army NationalLieutenant in the New York State Army National
Guard, but he resigned and took a commission UnitedGuard, but he resigned and took a commission United
States Coast Guard and would advance to the rankStates Coast Guard and would advance to the rank
of Commander. He was made Director of Physicalof Commander. He was made Director of Physical
Education at The Coast Guard's Manhattan BeachEducation at The Coast Guard's Manhattan Beach
training facility in Brooklyn New York.training facility in Brooklyn New York.
Instead of just teaching physical fitness DempseyInstead of just teaching physical fitness Dempsey
taught the new recruits how to fight. He worked withtaught the new recruits how to fight. He worked with
B.J. Cosneck, who was the Coast Guard'sB.J. Cosneck, who was the Coast Guard's
hand-to-hand combat expert and a college wrestlinghand-to-hand combat expert and a college wrestling
champion. Dempsey and Cosneck would prepare thechampion. Dempsey and Cosneck would prepare the
recruits to fight it out on the battlefield or in a barroomrecruits to fight it out on the battlefield or in a barroom
brawl. They would teach recruits self defensebrawl. They would teach recruits self defense
techniques from come-alongs to strangles.techniques from come-alongs to strangles.
During his time with Cosneck, Dempsey would write hisDuring his time with Cosneck, Dempsey would write his
first book titled appropriately How to Fight Tough. Thefirst book titled appropriately How to Fight Tough. The
book was easy to follow guide that told soldiers andbook was easy to follow guide that told soldiers and
sailors how to fight. It included boxing, wrestling, andsailors how to fight. It included boxing, wrestling, and
jujutsu techniques. B.J. Cosneck would write his ownjujutsu techniques. B.J. Cosneck would write his own
book called American Combat Judo after the warbook called American Combat Judo after the war
which is also another less known but no less importantwhich is also another less known but no less important
work in the field of martial arts and close combat.work in the field of martial arts and close combat.
Training countless sailors would have been enough forTraining countless sailors would have been enough for
Dempsey to silence most critics, but while serving as aDempsey to silence most critics, but while serving as a
morale officer in the Pacific he would achieve heroicmorale officer in the Pacific he would achieve heroic
status. During the invasion of Okinawa the laststatus. During the invasion of Okinawa the last
Japanese strong hold before Japan Dempsey wasJapanese strong hold before Japan Dempsey was
serving on the attack transport USS Arthur Middletonserving on the attack transport USS Arthur Middleton
as the morale officer which was a non-combatas the morale officer which was a non-combat
assignment. When Dempsey then age 49 saw menassignment. When Dempsey then age 49 saw men
he trained going into combat he insisted he go alonghe trained going into combat he insisted he go along
and join the fight. For that act he would make himself aand join the fight. For that act he would make himself a
Coast Guard hero. After the war he would continue toCoast Guard hero. After the war he would continue to
serve with Coast Guard Reserve until 1952. As aserve with Coast Guard Reserve until 1952. As a
solider and a world class competitor, Dempseysolider and a world class competitor, Dempsey
understood the difference between sport combat andunderstood the difference between sport combat and
real combat, and made sure every man he trainedreal combat, and made sure every man he trained
knew it.knew it.