August 13, 2022
Jack Dempsey & Jujutsu
Boxing legend Jack Dempsey… applying a Hadaka-Jime (rear naked choke)? Believe it.
Boxing legend Jack Dempsey… applying a Hadaka-Jime (rear naked choke)?
Believe it.
While Dempsey was one of the most iconic heavyweight champions in boxing history, few realize how open-minded he was about real-world combat. His interest wasn't just sport but survival. During WWII, he embraced jujutsu and judo techniques without reservation.
In 1943, Dempsey co-authored How to Fight Tough, a wartime manual for the U.S. Coast Guard. It featured practical combat techniques: chokes, joint locks, throws, disarms, and strikes (including knife hands and knee attacks), many drawn directly from jujutsu and judo.
In these photos, Dempsey demonstrates techniques on accomplished wrestler and jujutsuka Bernard Cosneck.
Want to dive deeper into how WWII shaped jujutsu and judo? Grab a copy of our best-selling book: The Founding of Jujutsu & Judo in America!
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