Wonderful story, Peter. As an aside, my sister was a Nurse in NYC and Jack Dempsey was a patient on her floor for several weeks. Despite his failing health he was charming, sweet and wanted to talk. His hands were still the size of a large ham, his ears were misshapen and his body crumbling but he always greeted her w/ a smile. Dempsey grew up in a different time than La Bell but you'd have to figure he was as much street fighter as boxer, certainly growing up. The human side of the pugilist and grappler, at least the ones from many years past, is always interesting to learn about. Looking forward to Part 2.
Gene was a unique person who lived many lives. The old catch wrestlers had a huge impact on him and he kept their traditions alive. I only trained with him once, at his cabin near Gorman, but it was memorable.
Wonderful story, Peter. As an aside, my sister was a Nurse in NYC and Jack Dempsey was a patient on her floor for several weeks. Despite his failing health he was charming, sweet and wanted to talk. His hands were still the size of a large ham, his ears were misshapen and his body crumbling but he always greeted her w/ a smile. Dempsey grew up in a different time than La Bell but you'd have to figure he was as much street fighter as boxer, certainly growing up. The human side of the pugilist and grappler, at least the ones from many years past, is always interesting to learn about. Looking forward to Part 2.
Gene was a unique person who lived many lives. The old catch wrestlers had a huge impact on him and he kept their traditions alive. I only trained with him once, at his cabin near Gorman, but it was memorable.