Dempsey held the world heavyweight title from 1919 till 1926.
Much like Muhammad Ali who came along much later, Dempsey transcended the sport of boxing becoming a cultural icon.
One of the heavyweight divisions hardest ever punchers, the Irish/Native American from Manassa, Colorado was involved in making boxing the sport it is today. Many of his fights set financial and attendance records, including the first million-dollar gate, and pioneered the live broadcast of sporting events.
Dempsey won the world heavyweight title from champion Jess Willard in Toledo, Ohio on July 4, 1919.