September 1998
by Barry Stagg
JACK DEMPSEY: NOVEMBER 21, 1963
Idle t.v. viewing in Toronto in late August 1998 led me to a November 21, 1963 broadcast of Front Page Challenge. It was the History Channel, I believe, that featured a youthful looking image of the late Fred Davis adroitly hosting a panel that included the late inimitable Gordon Sinclair and Canadian literary icon Pierre Berton.
The day of the original broadcast and the guest caught my attention. The day, being November 21, 1963, meant that this broadcast was on a Thursday night. It also meant that the western world would be changing forever, the next day, Friday, November 22, 1963. That was the day President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. So Front Page Challenge broadcast its way into immortality on the last evening before a significant portion of the innocence of the 1960's was to vanish forever.
Jack Dempsey was the guest. The great, retired heavyweight boxer was in his late sixties but was still a master of tact and finesse in handling questions from Berton, Sinclair and guests. It was truly a voice from another era as Dempsey fielded questions about his ability to maintain a public profile and his general attitude toward boxing and professional sports.
It was evident that Jack Dempsey, one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of all time was a cosmic universe away from the attitudes of today's media managed prima donnas. For one thing, Dempsey indicated, in response to a question from Sinclair, that he had no press agent. He stated that he managed to maintain a high public profile by going about his business, promoting good causes and honestly and legitimately presenting himself to the public as a reasonable and responsible fellow.
When boxing at the heavyweight level these days means Mike Tyson, it is all too clear that heavyweight boxing has probably gone the way that Dempsey predicted on that Thursday evening. Then Mr. Dempsey was adamant that heavyweight boxing would vanish as a sport. While I strained to hear any mention of that last great champion, Cassius Clay, none was to be overheard. There was talk of the champion of the day, Floyd Patterson, but none of Sonny Liston, who eventually demolished Patterson, nor of course of the brash young Clay who would defeat Liston on a "TKO" in 1964.
Doubtless if Dempsey had known that Cassius Clay would become the later day Muhammed Ali he would have reconsidered his opinion on the demise of boxing. But in retrospect, Clay and the legitimate celebrity that he brought to boxing only delayed the descent of the sport into the cesspool now defined by Mike Tyson and notorious promoter Don King.
It was all such a poignant event-the airing of a long ago program that in itself was a Canadian institution but featuring a sports champion who rivalled Babe Ruth in fame and fortune.
Whether young or old, the day after Front Page Challenge featured Jack Dempsey, all were overcome by the horrid reality of the death of the American president. Thirty-five years later both Jack Dempsey and President Jack Kennedy remain American icons.
Until next month, be proud, be prosperous.