Jack Dempsey vs Bill Brennan

25 year old, 6’1“, 188½ lb Heavyweight Champion Manassa Mauler Jack Dempsey vs 27 year old, 6’1“, 197 lb challenger KO Bill Brennan. Dempsey’s second defense. Dec 14, 1920. Sold out crowd of 17000 fans at Madison Square Garden (dwarfed by the over 80 000 fans Dempsey would draw in his next fight against Carpentier). Scheduled for 15 rds, Brennan lasted longer against Dempsey than any other man. In 1918, contender Dempsey KO’ed contender Brennan in 6 rds, but Brennan fought 30 more fights in 29 months earning a title shot. Brennan closed out his career in 1923 with 48 KO’s and 102 fights. Brennan was murdered in 1924. Dempsey’s manager, Doc Kearns, blamed the tough Brennan title defense on Dempsey violating the fighters’ celibacy rule during training camp. Dempsey bled from the right ear throughout the fight. Brennan was ahead on points going into rd 12.