Isle of Palms Winter-Spring 2018-19

15 www.IsleOfPalmsMagazine.com | www.ILoveIOP.com | www.IOPmag.com B efore heavyweight boxing greats such as Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, there was the man who went by the name of the “Manassa Mauler” – Jack Dempsey. The world heavyweight boxing champion from 1919 to 1926, Dempsey was at first controversial but later one of the most beloved and popular fighters of all time. In a sport that traditionally takes its practitioners at a young age, Dempsey lived to a ripe, old 88, passing away in 1983. So why do we write about Jack Dempsey in this magazine? Well, Publisher Bill Macchio, with the help of “the islands” history buff Hal Coste, discovered several photos of Dempsey boxing in an exhibition match in Isle of Palms. It is believed the event was held in 1929 and staged at Center Beach. Despite determined efforts, nothing more could be ascertained about the fight: We were left hanging with questions as to why Dempsey came to Isle of Palms, whom he fought and if he won. It is quite likely, however, that if the fight was indeed held in 1929, as the photo indicates, Dempsey walked out of the ring the winner – and probably relatively unscathed. Despite not knowing all the details, we choose to believe that legends such as Dempsey who set foot in Isle of Palms could be believed to have set the stage for boxing greatness. After all, boxing exhibitions were very common for years in the area, and a number of boxing clubs sprang up in the Lowcountry, including one in Isle of Palms. Perhaps one of the best fighters to come out of the Charleston area was Johnny Boyd Sr., who grew up in West Ashley and moved East Cooper when he was a child. He still lives in Mount Pleasant and is the owner of Coliseum Motor Cars in North Charleston. He boxed with the Isle of Palms Boxing Club, starting as a youngster in the late 1960s until the late 1970s, becoming such a skilled pugilist that he pondered a professional career. He was ultimately Life in the Ring Boxing in Isle of Palms By John Torsiello Crowds gather at the old Isle of Palms boxing ring, where Jack Dempsey is thought to have competed. Jack Dempsey was among the most popular fighters of all time. Photos courtesy of Hal Coste.