Willard is being writting off too easy imo. Willard will have the size, jab, and strength to trouble or even perhaps beat Charles. Willard was not a bad fighter(Not great mind you) But when Willard was on, he was a tough task to handle. He out box Moran pretty easy imo.
Johnson was terribly fat, he was around 37 years old, and extremley rusty and he still easily outboxed willard for 20 rounds before his age and condition gave out on him. Ezzard Charles in his prime is far better than the fat old unmotivated version of jack johnson willard faced. He is also a far more talented boxer than 180lb Gunboat Smith, who willard couldn't win a round against.
Of course Willard had his limitations but he should not be underestimated. Gunboat Smith beat him but he couldnt hurt him, while he had Dempsey out on his feet. Willards strengths were as outstanding as his limitations.
Charles would batter him, probably a late stoppage Willard's face would be messed up with the amount of punishment he would take.
Charles would have to do a lot of jumping to hit Willard's face. I dont know why you guys say stoppage here, Charles doesnt relly have Dempsey power here.
Gunboat didnt have a problem tatooing Willards face. Gunboat is 180lb. he doesnt need dempseys power. charles was a great accumalitive puncher, he could break durable guys down with his sharp pinpoint shots and stop them late. Willards face will be cut to pieces. World Class Boxer always defeats Big Farmer with Pitchfork
Like the time Johnson beat Willard Or Corbett beat Jeff Or Gibbions beat Dempsey I recall the time when Robinson lost to a farmer by the name of Carman.
I'm forced to assume that if Gunboat Smith could outpoint Willard, so could Charles. Willard's only chance is if the fight is scheduled for 45 rounds, then maybe he can hang in their long enough to out-tough Charles down the stretch and catch him late. Even in this scenario, though, it more the fight more likely gets stopped in about the 29th round due to Willards eyes hanging out of their sockets.
I'll give Willard his dues, but Charles was simply several classes higher in terms of talent and ability. And Willard's enormous size still isn't enough to compensate for the difference, despite dwarfing Charles. This is a mismatch.
I kinda like a Ezz Dec. win. Two questions to be answered by the experts,YOU GUYS: Isnt going 26 rounds with Jack Johnson saying something?Isnt beating Frank Moran a achievement showing ability?atsch
And had they never actually fought, who'd have thought Fred Fulton would go 2-0 against Sam Langford and put him in the hospital?
No-one sensible thinks that Willard didn't have ability; the question is, does he have the kind of ability or style to beat Ezzard Charles?
In fairness to Willard he had only 18 fights to Smiths 57 ,Jess was still rather green.But I must pick Charles in this thread.DEC