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The Shelby
Stampede, produced by the Knight and Day Stampede Company from Alberta, took place in the world's largest rodeo arena, which had a seating capacity of 20,000 people. However, despite its grand scale, the event was not financially successful. The arena was eventually torn down after the
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The economic consequences of the failed event were severe. In the months that followed, four banks in Shelby went bankrupt, and the town's aspirations for prosperity were left in tatters. The financial struggles were further exacerbated by two subsequent rodeos, the Shelby
Stampede and the Marias
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The highly anticipated boxing match between Jack
Dempsey and Tommy Gibbons ended in disaster for the town of Shelby. Despite the construction of a large arena, capable of holding a crowd the size of a football field, the event failed to attract a significant number of paying fans. The high ticket
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One lasting legacy of the boxing match is the town hall building, constructed in just two months to serve as the media headquarters for the event. This building, which still stands today, is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, serving as a reminder of Shelby's brief moment in the
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To secure the fight, Shelby officials agreed to meet the demands of both fighters and their teams. Kearns required an advance for travel costs and a guaranteed purse for
Dempsey, citing the lengthy train journey from populous areas. Gibbons also received a significant payment of $ 150,000 to
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Although the fight was largely strategic, there were brief moments of intensity. In the seventh round, Dempsey reportedly hurt
Gibbons, but was unable to secure a knockout. On occasion, Gibbons landed solid punches on Dempsey's chin, but Dempsey was able to shrug them off.
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Dempsey focused his attacks on
Gibbons' head, while Gibbons targeted Dempsey's body. This approach allowed Gibbons to evade many of Dempsey's punches, but Dempsey's agility made it challenging for Gibbons to land effective shots on his stomach and ribs.
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Ultimately, Dempsey's superior skill and agility paid off, as he retained his title with a unanimous decision after the full 15 rounds. The fight, although not as action-packed as expected, showcased the tactical skills of both fighters.
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The highly anticipated 15-round bout between Jack
Dempsey and Tommy Gibbons took place on July 4, 1923. Dempsey, known for his aggressive fighting style, had a history of delivering knockouts, having previously defeated
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The first event was a world heavyweight boxing title fight, featuring the renowned Jack
Dempsey. Officials believed that Dempsey's nationwide fame, combined with the reputation of his manager,
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prices proved to be a major deterrent, with only 7,702 people attending the fight. In contrast, approximately 13,000 individuals watched the match for free.
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Article: newgeography - FIGHTING SPIRIT LIVES ON IN NORTHERN MONTANA (About the building of the Jack
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Newspaper Article: The LA Times - Town in Montana Was Overmatched : In 1923, Shelby--Population 500--Took On Jack Dempsey and His Manager
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Images of Jack Dempsey and Tommy Gibbons Worlds Heavyweight Championship Full Boxing Ticket dated July 4th 1923 from Shelby, Montana.
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Website for Champions Park, the memorial erected in Shelby, Montana commemorating the Jack Dempsey vs. Tommy Gibbons fight of 1923
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Newspaper Article: The Missoulian - Famed fight that KO'd Shelby: Fortunes exhausted to bring boxing match to small town in 1923
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Scholarly Article: Jack Dempsey Revisited (pp. 112-128), The Boxing Scene (2009), by Thomas Hauser, Temple University Press.
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Jack Dempsey (right, with white shorts) and Tommy Gibbons in their boxing match, Shelby, Montana, July 4, 1923 (MOHAI 1324)
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Archived newspaper: SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN, Mass., July 5, 1923, Jack Dempsey vs. Tommy Gibbons at Shelby, Montana...
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The fight was scheduled for July 4, Independence Day, and a large arena was constructed on a farm, now known as
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participate. Local banks provided the necessary funds, and officials were optimistic about the event's success.
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542:- Archived Photo: Jack Dempsey vs. Tommy Gibbons - Aerial View of Arena in Shelby, MT - Archive Photo - 1923
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crowds departed. The Marias Fair and Rodeo, held on the opposite side of town, suffered a similar fate.
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Book: Shelby's Folly: Jack Dempsey, Doc Kearns, and the Shakedown of a Montana Boomtown, by Jason Kelly
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that states a Knowledge editor's personal feelings or presents an original argument about a topic.
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Article: Boxing Insider - The Title Fight That May Have Brought Down A Town: Dempsey-Gibbons
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Archived video footage: Jack Dempsey vs Tommy Gibbons (Full Film), part 5/5
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Archived video footage: Jack Dempsey vs Tommy Gibbons (Full Film), part 4/5
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Archived video footage: Jack Dempsey vs Tommy Gibbons (Full Film), part 3/5
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Archived video footage: Jack Dempsey vs Tommy Gibbons (Full Film), part 2/5
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Archived video footage: Jack Dempsey vs Tommy Gibbons (Full Film), part 1/5
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336:'s world heavyweight title. It was held on July 4, 1923, in the town of
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Archived photos: Getty Images - Jack Dempsey v Tommy Gibbons -1 PICTURE
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Article: Boxing.com - Dempsey vs. Gibbons: The Fight that Ruined a Town
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Fair and Rodeo, which also failed to generate significant revenue.
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Archived video footage: Jack Dempsey vs Tommy Gibbons (July 1923)
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Article: Vice Sports - The Night Jack Dempsey Bankrupted a Town
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personal reflection, personal essay, or argumentative essay
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Newspaper article: Chicago Tribune - Heavyweight disaster
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502:Article: BoxRec - Jack Dempsey vs. Tommy Gibbons
145:but its sources remain unclear because it lacks
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357:Jack Kearns
290:Recognition
158:introducing
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39:improve it
386:The fight
45:talk page
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264:Hometown
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