JACK DEMPSEY -vs- LUIS ANGEL FIRPO - HD Documentary - Rare Footage

“Anatomy of a Fight - Jack Dempsey vs Luis Angel Firpo”, takes a deep dive into one of the most famous fights, and fight films, in boxing history, the epic 1923 match between Heavyweight Champion Jack Dempsey and his challenger, Luis Angel Firpo of Argentina.
For more about this and other fight films visit: fightfilmcollector.blogspot.com/
To my fellow boxing KZbinrs: I have set permissions so that other users may embed this video into their channels if they wish. However, I ask that you do not extract portions of, re-edit, colorize, or remove my watermarks or add your own logo into or in front of this video, or otherwise appropriate my production into a different video without my permission. Feel free to write if you have any questions. Thank you, --Carl

[@drummersagainstitk]

I'm a boxing historian. If KZbin has a better purpose I'VE NOT SEEN IT!. Thank you for your work. You are doing a great service to our sport.

[@FightFilmsGuy]

Thank you my friend. I really appreciate it.

[@josephgeorge7385]

What’s the best fight you have ever seen any weight class?

[@drummersagainstitk]

@@josephgeorge7385 Take a look at a recent Mexican blood test which was FOTY btw Paulie Ayala vs. Johnny Tapia. Drama, skill and viciousness not seen often.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

I 2nd that. Good video

[@Brian-xp3uy]

Dempsey was a beast. These films are history, they need to be preserved.

[@RDaMyth]

Absolutely the best film documentation and account of the Dempsey Firpo fight.

[@douglasgray1648]

Amazingly good footage and camera work for 1923!!

[@Lava1964]

That was terrific. I've always said this was the greatest heavyweight title fight of all time because of all the plot twists within two rounds. Your description "a roller coaster ride of thrilling mayhem" is very accurate.

[@ricardosantos4900]

Better than History Channel!

[@Pedro_Le_Chef]

Phenomenal quality. This is history. Thank you for the upload.

[@tylerfoss3346]

Wow!!! What a fight!!! Thank you, Carl and company!

[@vantheman1238]

This is an historic masterpiece. Great narration and content. 🥊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@paloomo581]

As a lifelong boxing fanatic I found this so informative. Firpo became a legend due to his name forever being associated with Jack Dempsey. His fame helped him to become wealthy and Firpo would show gratitude years later by surprising Dempsey with a briefcase full of cash. Dempsey confirmed this himself in his biography.

[@FightFilmsGuy]

Yes, Firpo turned out to be a very smart business man. Dempsey wrote how, years after their fight, Firpo invited him to visit Argentina. Dempsey said he didn't know what to expect, but Firpo was very gracious and threw Jack a big party.

[@MyRobertallen]

@@FightFilmsGuy Because both D&F were true sportsmen. 'If all people respected each other as much as fighters do, the world would be a lot better place.' Archie Moore.

[@joethaler7921]

Excellent! Superb!! A brilliant movie. I am sure that none of the 90,000+ spectators felt short-changed by the brevity of the fight.

[@whitehurstcomic]

I’ve got an old print of Dempsey going out of the ring. I saw the same print on Barney Miller and Happy days. I researched it and found it was given to US Soldiers returning from WW2 on the Queen Mary. It was from this fight. Thank you sir

[@Caskchap]

I think Firpo ran out of steam, the final punches didn’t look that hard or clean. Great footage from a legendary bout thank you for uploading.

[@Licker51]

Fascinating collection. Hats off to you. From, England!

[@2vintage68]

Well, that is about the best boxing documentary I have ever seen.

[@pugil1st]

Carl, this production is wonderful. Your narration is brilliant, esp. toward the end! Thanks for sharing!

[@MikeyD22]

Phenomenal documentary. A huge thanks for sharing. I learned a lot that the history books failed to mention. Keep up the great work!

[@jerrytraub8074]

This is wonderful! Lots of photos, and footage I've never seen, many thanks!

[@WVF112469]

Great work!

[@carspiv]

Just…WOW. Tremendous work on this! You’ve performed an invaluable service to lovers of old time boxing! I literally gasped when you showed a tiny snippet of the Dempsey-Miske fight. I had heard that the promoter barred filiming of the actual fight, but that some footage existed of introductions, etc, up until the bell starting the first round. This was the clearest, cleanest footage I’ve ever seen of the Dempsey-Firpo fight. You did a marvelous job with what must have been like assembling a jigsaw puzzle blindfolded with your hands tied. The way these old treasures were treated by exhibitors, etc, is a crime against humanity.

[@THEnetgear]

Excellent production,Thanks Carl. Adam Pollacks recent "In The Ring With Jack Dempsey" books covers this bout and its legend in mammoth detail

[@doodeen]

Incredible footage.What a fight!

[@1thepner]

Outstanding job!!! I've collected films since the 1970s, and your work here was really appreciated by me.

[@jackgonzalez3176]

Great work explaining about the cuts in the film. Keep the good work.

[@WilliamDoyle-rb6lt]

A great piece of research and editing.What brawl!This and Hagler -Hearns will live side by side as the best first rounds ever.

[@richardobrien5895]

What a brilliant production by Carl Weingarten - an illuminating and absolutely thrilling look back in time. I've read so much about the Dempsey-Firpo fight over the years and have watched the film (first on the old Ring Classics 8-mm version) countless times. But I feel like I'm seeing it for the first time here, thanks to Carl's research and expertise and perfect narration. Thank you!

[@cldavis33]

It's fascinating to see the non-boxing footage of audiences, cars with five lanes with no markers, everyone in suits, and hats. Just really amazing how different it all was back at that time.

[@royarrigon2411]

Really enjoyed that ,read many accounts of this fight but never seen footage

[@300espartanosnaturales9]

Muchas gracias, saludos desde Argentina!!!

[@fabianasensio1168]

Thank you. Those gloves were crazy small. Good lord.

[@fld9201]

I loved the quality of the production. I also loved the analysis, especially the breakdown of the time it took for Dempsey to haul himself back into the ring following the infamous punch/push. And what a first round: more action in that one round than through many a full 12 rounder!

[@georgeduarte8627]

Great Channel, thank you for the video, was there a rematch?

[@SirLuciferVampiro]

Hmmmm, very nice mini-doc.....Fantastic, actually.....

[@frankshattuck1409]

This is excellent. Thank you

[@christophersantori5491]

Epic!!! Thank you!!

[@chriso1585]

Brilliant different showing, thanks

[@texasstadium]

Well, that was great fun! And well done by the videographer! The fight game came a long way in technique during the next few decades. Different noowadays than two guys throwing haymakers from the rafters, chins exposed and no interest in defensive tactics. The only thing Firpo did not do was to send Dempsey a written note before telegraphing those big right hands. Thanks for the video!

[@c.demircan8078]

Great job...

[@mrchitlin6255]

Hands down the best boxing KZbin channel, it’s criminal it doesn’t have more subscribers

[@vicentevelarde2855]

Wow this was really good

[@neivaldoduarte4576]

Dempsey devia ser bem forte... o Firpo caía com golpes atirados no clinche. Acabava a contagem o cara já vinha... diferente de hoje em dia, que o árbitro ainda manda o cara pro seu corner e tal... daí o boxer ganha preciosos segundos. Adoro ver esses registros de lutas antigas... dos antigos campeões do boxe; Jhon Sullivan, Jack Jhonson, Willard... e muitos outros. Muito obrigado pelo vídeo... foi bom ter visto o registro desse confronto histórico.

[@AlRedsoxFan]

Great thanks 👍🙂 Happy Saturday and Beyond 😇

[@ortho-g9826]

What a fight. Superb contest between MEN.

[@JoeCarroll-tr5hw]

l loved he’s boxing style. R.I.P JACK…

[@donhutchison4295]

AWWWWWWESOME and THANKS !!

[@kerrysupporter]

Great video

[@forestgump8357]

Dempsey was a brutal puncher for his size. 186 lbs of ferociousness.

[@MyRobertallen]

Artistically and spiritually beautiful. Does justice not only to D&F, but the Sweet Science itself. Captures its essence: manliness. Robert Allen

[@user-ft1xf8wk9m]

THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@CitizenMars999]

Sir, thank you for all the diligent work that you put into this. In the end I teared up a bit as the two old warriors came together as men of character. Well done, them and you.

[@keithmotsinger918]

GREAT JOB < THKS had the reg8mm and Super 8 films growing up and always had these edits ,cuts , jumps even as teenagers , we wondered . Dempsey films had alot and we loved the Mauler . Can one be done of Dempsey-Sharkey fight? We saw a brief clip of the fight , from a PATHE' film , and view point and the fans were sure irate . THKS again.

[@FightFilmsGuy]

Thanks Keith. As I mentioned, these early fight films went through many hands and parts were scattered. I actually came across a portion of Dempsey-Firpo on a stock footage site last week that had three seconds I had not seen before. So, the search never ends. Re Dempsey-Sharkey, I have a theatrical cut of the official fight film, and have been acquiring third party newsreel footage taken from different angles. That may be a forthcoming project.

[@THEnetgear]

Is that a clip of Dempsey vs Miske actually fighting for a second or two thrown in there?? Ive seen footage of them entering the ring and thats it! Does the fight exist fully?

[@chrispaul7849]

great stuff, I had this on 8mm as a kid... love boxing history! wild bull of the Pampas--wish I was alive in the 20s-50s!

[@paulmackiewicz9836]

That was fascinating 👏

[@bradjohnson8100]

What a BRAWL!

[@user-hz8cb7sc1r]

85,000 spectators, with no screens

[@Details8]

Awesome channel,Dempsey was a beast.

[@iconicyard1311]

this was a good fight.

[@davidmorris1446]

Very good work my friend i glad there people like you that keep the old fights alive Jack Dempsey was my 1 fighter others may have there own pick but Demspey was mine

[@scottthorning3963]

Sportsmanship, great men!

[@dangreene3895]

I had a friend who told me his Grandfather was at this fight , after the fight he changed his name from whatever it was , to Firpo , the only Firpo I ever met .

[@henrybrowne7248]

The Hagler-Hearns of its time! What a fight! Great documentary.

[@JABARDELLI]

This is the best coverage I’ve ever seen of the Dempsey- Firpo fight … bar none! Carl … However, I’ve yet to see any analysis of Firpo getting knocked down the first time in the second round. I’ve witnessed this knockdown hundreds of times over the past 30+ years and it is clear that Firpo’s forehead slammed onto the ring flooring which contributed to his inability to survive Dempsey’s attack and second knockdown punches. Take a look!

[@sinceremaverick7081]

Where's the prime Sugar Ray Robinson films? 🎥

[@padjack2616]

watching for full support

[@Norfolkbiker50]

The closest I've seen to a fight with this level of ferocity was Benn-McClellan, there would be an outrage if a referee allowed boxers to take this sort of punishment, that said I doubt if many of today's fighters could take a beating like these guys did?

[@MyRobertallen]

JD is the picture of fitness: supremely well-conditioned to compete in the most demanding Sport there is. You tell your son:'THAT'S how a man should look.' BTW, I'm recovering from hip-replacement surgery- I needed a lift like this. Robert Allen

[@vinny6685]

Wild ride for both .

[@jazz185]

Wild bull of the pampas..

[@danc2426]

Excellent video ! That ref should have been suspended.. terrible enforcement of rules of the time !

[@Eddie_Schantz]

September 14, 1923

[@swazilandirtbikes]

subscribed at 27 seconds. Liked at 32.

[@justthink5854]

by far the most dramatic fight of the first 1/2 was Louis/Schmeling 2.

[@Johnl1800]

Pretty good breakdown especially the part where Dempsey was knocked/pushed out of the ring. For the last century the legend was that Firpo could or should have won and that Dempsey was "saved" by a combination of a long count and friendly reporters helping him back into the ring neither of which was the case based on this footage. Some random comments: 1. Firpo could hit but was unpolished, wild and awkward. That being said the first knockdown was actually a pretty good punch. Firpo was backing up and caught Dempsey coming in with a good short right inside. 2. Dempsey was a much better infighter, threw shorter punches and had superior head movement and defense which consistently allowed him to get inside Firpo's looping shots. 3. Firpo was primarily a right hand puncher (which he telegraphed). He would follow up with the left but the right was his main offensive weapon. This made things easier for Dempsey when he was in trouble because as might be expected Firpo went right hand crazy so Dempsey knew what was coming. 4. The legend that Firpo was close to finishing Dempsey after Dempsey was knocked out of the ring isn't born out by the films. While he did get clipped a few times Dempsey was able to avoid any significant damage from Firpo's follow up attack and was actually on the offensive and backing Firpo up at the bell.

[@Andy-mi1ok]

Not really any boxing skills just raw aggression.

[@Tanamarito]

At an older age in Argentina, Firpo had a mountain lion that one day tried to attack him. Luis threw a wild punch that hit the animal,. Then, he got the lion under control.

[@williamlawlor7445]

Dempsey was vicious. Dempsey vs Marciano would have being the fight of the century. One of them could have died.

[@steventhorson4487]

👍👌

[@boxingacct378]

Imagine being knocked down and Dempsey is in the non neutral corner barely a metre away from you waiting for you to get up again !

[@garymorris1856]

Some of the seats in the Polo Grounds appear to be so far from the ring, how could they even see the fight, did people take binoculars?

[@martinscalona-clarinet9042]

The story I always heard in Argentina, and also some old timer from Philadelphia confirmed, was that when Dempsey flew out of the ring, they shut down the lights. That might be the reason why the original movie lacks some precious seconds.

[@johnwilliams4541]

That was a lot of action for such a short fight. I don't think I have ever seen this. I surely would have remembered Jack getting knocked thru the ropes

[@snivelinj7612]

Thanks for this wonderful documentary. How did a bum like Firpo deserve a shot at the Heavyweight Championship? It's so obvious that he had no boxing skills at all, just clubbing and swinging wildly. But, I guess I'm judging by today's standards.

[@davidwhite2949]

This was a horrible ref. Not only the neutral corner issue, but punches being thrown during brakes, etc.

[@anthonyperno1348]

Some claim Doc Kearns doctored/cut the film. I doubt this. Tex Rickard and Kearns were at odds with one another and Rickard, not Kearns had control of the film. Unlike the Carpentier fight, the Firpo fight had a limited New York release due to the interstate restrictions of the Sims Law. I suspect that the absence of a good print today is due to this limited release and the few number of copies printed. But that is just my conjecture. Tex Rickard had been more successful in getting the Carpentier fight, in 1921, (Harding Administration) past the Sims restrictions, with help from a friendly federal judge and a few bribes. The film was viewed in multiple cities. With the Firpo fight in 1923, Coolidge had taken over in August and the system was less corrupt and Rickard was less successful in his bribes.

[@FightFilmsGuy]

You're correct, Kearns never had control of the film. I'm sure the original release was uncut. What remains today is a film that went through many hands over a number of years. And over those years the film was damaged and mishandled by various people who were not interested in true preservation.

[@jonjenkins]

Terrific doco - More a unskilled brawl than a boxing contest

[@MyRobertallen]

You don't get it. And loudmouth Clay was dismissive of Dempsey-Willard for the same ignorant reason. It was a FISTFIGHT, my friend. They climbed into the ring to 'settle it'- not spar: 'May the best man win.' Neither you nor I nor any other spectator has the right to bring up proper form or elegance in the face of such stouthearted, manly resolve. Robert Allen

[@jonjenkins]

@@MyRobertallen I wasn’t being “dismissive“ in any way - Of course it was a “ fist fight “ Durh & an official World Heavyweight Championship bout, irrespective of how the participants ( Dempsey & Firpo ) may have felt about it - No ignorance on my part ( or Muhammad Ali ) I simply made the observation that it was conducted like it was a barroom brawl - Your aggressive tone was quite uncalled for

[@vgr112261]

@@MyRobertallenAli

[@Caskchap]

Seemed to be more of a push than a punch that caused Dempsey to exit the ring.

[@broderickwallis25]

Yes, but off the end of a punch...

[@nsr60ster85]

One account said Firpo half-hit, half-shoved Jack out of the ring. This sounds like the best description.

[@user-ee8yn7ky6g]

One of the MOST dramatik Fights ever....many years later..Hagler Hearns

[@smartbomb7202]

dempsey is wearing lifts or he's taller than 6.1

[@anthonyperno1348]

FIRPO -- "Fear"- fo or "Fur-po"

[@1KuKo]

Firpo pushed out of the Ring with his right hand on the neck, Dempsey took 3 seconds to return, but there is an urban myth in Argentina that it took him 20 seconds to return, min 6:57

[@1KuKo]

🤣🤣

[@NickolasFigler-fi3wj]

Today that fight would have been stopped in Dempsey's favor

[@Americaone1]

Dempsey made boxing what it is first million dollar gate against Carpentier and the wild fight against Firpo did he get help back into the ring after Firpo knocked him out of the ring🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@johnnyzee383]

Good stuff...terrible officiating, fouls galore, and not up to snuff for a fight of this caliber.

[@Aristotelezz]

11:46 "Many protested that the referee did not enforce the neutral corner rule" Can that really be true? IMO that rule came four years later in effect, with the famous long count fight, wherein Dempsey, after knocking down Tunney, ignored that (new) rule.

[@raulguzman196]

Exacto aún no existía según sé

[@FightFilmsGuy]

My friend, yes the neutral corner rule did exist in 1923. I researched it and the New York Times verified this on September 18, 1923. As I mentioned in the video, the referee was barely able to control the fighters. And you do see Dempsey walking to a corner, at least once, in the second round. The rule came to the forefront when Dempsey, as you mentioned, did not immediately obey the rule against Tunney in 1927, and on that occasion the referee enforced it. The rest is history!

[@walkergillette3918]

shouldn't matter how long it took Dempsey to get back in the ring, because he was pushed out, a very bad referee

[@user-gx2yy1df6f]

I love the sport and these guys are tough but they have about as much skill as two drunks at closing time in a barfight, every sport has evolved but none like basketball and boxing .

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

The name is pronounced “Car-Pon-Tee-A”

[@TheLeppus28]

Looks like referee would do anything to make sure than Dempsey wins.

[@charlenehastings4840]

This fight look more like wrestling the boxing. I can’t help with the laugh. It’s ridiculous. Some of the punches of heart to the back of the head would be illegal. I mean, I don’t even know who trained these fighters. That’s why you have to admire the beauty of Muhammad Ali the way he danced around the floor and the way he punched.

[@agrrb7]

Well, not much of the sweet science there, more like a barroom brawl! swing and hope for the best! They wouldn´t live with future heavyweights.

[@dalecarliacarcajou5268]

Dempsey was HELPED UP in the ring! Should have been disqualified according to the rules.

[@johnnyzee383]

I agree..you see his body moving up but his arms were free for second and his legs prone... Seems clear to me someone pushed him up

[@williamanderson6006]

If he fell on you your instinct would be to push him off they weren't helping him rather natural instincts