By Jose Corpas
On November 1st at an event previously postponed because of weather, the city of New York and the sport of boxing, via the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the World Boxing Council, paid tribute to the historic heavyweight championship match between champion Jack Dempsey and challenger Luis Angel Firpo of Argentina that took place 100 years ago at New York’s Polo Grounds. Originally scheduled for September 23, a commemorative plaque was installed at the very site of the match where NYCHA’s Polo Grounds Towers and Community Center stand today.
- READ MORE: Part 1: Firpo, ‘Wild Bull of the Pampas’
- READ MORE: Part 2: Firpo, ‘Wild Bull of the Pampas’
Mauricio Sulaiman, President of the World Boxing Council, along with State Senator Cordell Cleare and the Consulate General of Argentina, led the ceremonies which included a mock sparring session between golden glove boxers and a jump rope demonstration by former contender Michael Olajide Jr.
Present for the event were former boxing champions Iran Barkley and Junior Jones along with actor Holt McCallany and Raging Bull actor Kevin Mahon as well as boxing promoter Lou DiBella. A world championship belt was also presented during the ceremony at the Polo Grounds Community Center.
At the end of the event, there was a viewing of the historic match, which was won by Dempsey but not without controversy. Several knockdowns occurred in the first round including one where Firpo – a big underdog – sent the champ tumbling out of the ring head-first. Officially, Dempsey was out of the ring for less than 10 seconds but ringsiders with stopwatches timed it at 14 seconds. Adding to the confusion was the fact that ringsiders helped push Dempsey back into the ring.
More than 88,000 paid spectators watched the controversial and exciting match 100 years ago. About 35,000 more waited on the streets outside for updates. And in Latin America, millions gathered in front of the offices of the local newspaper offices, also waiting for updates of the fight. At this commemorative event one hundred years later, about 200 more watched the fight once more over the very ground where it originally took place.
Video by: Broadway Joel
“Let no legend or historic event be forgotten,” WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman stated. Now there’s a plaque at the site of that fight to help everyone remember, including the very residents of the towers, many of whom were unaware of the rich legacy of the Polo Grounds, right beneath their feet.