(1895–1983)
a US boxer who was the World Heavyweight Champion from 1919 to 1926. His popular name was the ‘Manassa Mauler’ because he was from Manassa, Colorado , and mauled his opponents (= treated them very roughly). Dempsey was involved in the famous ‘long count’ when he knocked down Gene Tunney in a 1927 fight. The referee delayed before he began counting. Tunney got up just before he had counted to ten and went on to win the fight.