Jack "The Manassa Mauler" Dempsey was the Heavyweight Champion of the World from 1919 to 1926. He originated from the small mining town of Manassa, Colorado. His career began unofficially as he traveled around the West by hopping freight trains and challenging the miners and lumbermen to barroom brawls using the name "Kid Blackie." Beating the giant, Jess Willard, in 1919, Dempsey gained both the Heavyweight Champion of the World title and a fierce reputation. He was known for knockout victories, some of which occurred within seconds of the beginning of the fight. After losing the title to Gene Tunney in 1926, the rematch in 1927 was much disputed as Dempsey knocked out Tunney but, due to confusion, did not return to a neutral corner allowing the official count to begin. After an appeal was rejected, Dempsey retired, continued exhibition boxing until 1940, and then opened a restaurant in New York City.

This portrait of Dempsey is part of a collection from McBride and Anderson photographers. Born in 1863, Ella McBride began working in the photography field in 1909 when she managed the Edward Curtis Studio. She opened her own studio in 1917 with Wayne Albee. Albee moved to San Diego in 1925, and McBride continued to operate a studio in various Seattle locations. In 1932 she partnered with Richard Anderson; they continued to work together until she retired in 1954 due to her failing eyesight. She died in 1965 at the age of 102. Taken before the McBride-Anderson partnership began; it is not known which partner was the photographer.

Handwritten on sleeve: Jack Dempsey.

Caption information sources: The Official Jack Dempsey website; Hickoksports.com; University of Illinois Press book review of "Jack Dempsey: The Manassa Mauler."