Carpentier, Georges (1894–1975)

French boxer. He was world light-heavyweight champion 1920–22 and European heavyweight champion 1913–1923. He is remembered in particular for his world heavyweight title fight with Jack Dempsey 1921, which attracted the first million dollar gate for a boxing bout. An idol of the French public and a popular figure abroad, he was one of the first sportsmen to gain star status around the globe.

He turned professional at the age of 13, and progressively won all the French and European titles from welterweight to heavyweight. Serving in the French air force in World War I, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre for bravery. He stopped ‘Battling’ Levinsky 1920 to win the light-heavyweight world title. The following year, before over 80,000 spectators in a purpose-built wooden stadium in Jersey City, he fought against Jack Dempsey for the world heavyweight title, but was knocked out in the fourth round.