Dempsey v Carpentier July, 1921: The start of modern sports broadcasting

No one heard his voice describing the world heavyweight title fight 100 years ago but radio enthusiast Andrew White changed the future of sport, radio and television

RADIO WAVES: The enormous crowd watching the 1921 world heavyweight title fight between reigning champion Jack Dempsey and French contender Georges Carpentier at Boyle's Thirty Acres in Jersey City, New Jersey. Dempsey retained his title with a fourth-round knockout. The fight 100 years ago drew the first-ever million-dollar gate - and was the first known 'live' sports radio broadcast. Picture: Getty Images

“Carpentier is out … Jack Dempsey is still the heavyweight champion of the world.” 

It was Saturday, July 2 1921, a boiling summer afternoon in a field on the outskirts of Jersey City, and a raucous crowd of more than 80,000 had just witnessed what had been billed as the fight of the century.