Jersey Proud: 103rd anniversary of championship boxing match in Jersey City

It was July 2, 1921, when 92,000 people came out to see heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey take on France's George Carpentier.

News 12 Staff

Jul 3, 2024, 2:30 AM

Updated 97 days ago

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At the intersection of Montgomery Street and Cornelison Avenue in Jersey City, there is a concrete overpass with some buildings nearby. It is a very urban area.
The area looked a bit different 103 years ago when one of the biggest fights in boxing history took place at the intersection. They built a wooden bowl where the intersection now is.
It was July 2, 1921, when 92,000 people came out to see heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey take on France's George Carpentier. It was the sport's first $1 million box office.
Dempsey knocked Carpentier out in the fourth round.
The wooden bowl lasted for six years. It started losing fights to Madison Square Garden after that.