Jack Dempsey never officially fought in Atlantic City. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t prepare for any of his big battles there.
The fact is, he really liked the place.
In 1921, the boxing world was anxiously awaiting what was expected to be the most lucrative fight in the sport’s history to date. This was the heavyweight championship fight between champion Dempsey and challenger Georges Carpentier, a Frenchman who, at that time, was recognized by the NYSAC (the all-powerful New York commission) as world light heavyweight titleholder.
The fight had at one point been considered a possibility for Atlantic City; in fact, mayor Edward Bader had proposed building a stadium to host it, out by the new airport.
Promoter Tex Rickard had other ideas. He had received word from the governor of New York – who was generally opposed to prizefights – that the bout would not be welcome in the Empire State. But Rickard wanted…
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