Nowadays, a million-dollar gate in boxing would be a disappointment for many. Back in 1921, it made history.
Boxing was really taking off in the early 20th century, with Jack Dempsey front and center of this exciting sport that was becoming one of the richest in the land.
He had reigned as world Heavyweight champion since 1921, where Dempsey broke Jess Willard’s jaw, teeth, and ribs en route to his impressive title win.
After two more impressive wins to defend his title, the American fighter took on a French war hero in the biggest boxing match the world had ever seen.
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Jack Dempsey battled Georges Carpentier in the first million-dollar gate in boxing history
The 1921 fight between Dempsey and Georges Carpentier has gone down in history as a record-breaking bout in boxing.
Dempsey defended his title belt against Carpentier, a World War 1 veteran who was hailed as a hero in his home country, before returning to boxing after a stint playing Rugby Union.
He fought all over the world and by 1921 had an 82-12-5 record, making him next in line to take on the impressive Dempsey. The fight had huge interest when held in New Jersey on July 2, 1921, with one of the biggest crowds in history turning up to watch this early superfight.
Named the “Fight of the Century”, it drew over 80,000 paying customers to Boyle’s Thirty Acres in New Jersey, smashing the record for the most money drawn for a single fight.
No other bout had earned more than $1 million. This smashed that, producing a $1,789,238 gate, owing to the incredible popularity of Dempsey and his unexpected fandom from women, a first in the boxing world.
Both men were very well paid for their work in the ring, although Carpentier was the much more unhappy fighter by the end of the bout.
Georges Carpentier was knocked out by Jack Dempsey in the fourth round
The 80,000 paying fans in attendance got their money’s worth, as they were treated to another famous knockdown by Dempsey in the fourth round of the fight.
He knocked the battling Frenchman down a minute into the round with a left-right combination, who was only just able to answer the referee’s count at nine.
His Christ-like resurrection at the final moment was impressive, but Dempsey would not allow this second-coming to go unchallenged.
He immediately went back in for the kill with another slick combination, knocking Carpentier out to the delight of the paying fans to collect his bumper winner’s purse.