Toots Shor (standing) threw a birthday party at his celebratory saloon/restaurant in Midtown Manhattan on May 6, 1976. Jack Dempsey was among the guests who wished him “Happy Birthday.” Hailed as the most popular boxer of his generation, Dempsey reigned as the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1919 to 1926. He was known as the Manassa Mauler. Well, he was born in the Mormon village of Manassa, Colorado.