Jess Willard in today's heavyweight division

I have heard a lot of different things about Willard as a man and a fighter. Some say he was a bum that was overhyped and not a skilled fighter who merely relied on his size and physical stregth, while others claim he was a genuinely good heavyweight. I'm curious to know all of your guys' thoughts on Willard, and if you could, please share some interesting stories/facts about the man.

Also, how do you feel a prime Willard would fare in today's heavyweight landscape? Thanks.

 

willard wouldn't fare very well at all.

 

:think Interesting first response. Would you care to elaborate as to why you think so?

 

i never call boxers bums and try not to disrespect them, but look at those films and try to compare them with modern fighters
having said that the klit brothers seem to have all the charisma of an orange

 

What have you got against oranges?

 

nowt.i like oranges

 

You like the Klits?

 

NO.thet're dull and only fight fat american heavies over and over.

 

He'd win a title. Look at Valuev... Look a the titlists of the past 30 years. He'd stand a chance against many of them.

Willard at his best had a stout chin, a good right hand and he carried his power late into a fight.

He's at least evens against many of the paper champs...

 

He's not as good as the Klitschko brothers, but he'd beat most, perhaps all, of the others.

 

He has no chance against the Titlists, I think all of the top10 beat him tbh

 

He'd fit in very well with the Klitschkos,sizewise. He'd win a belt in today's division. Whereas in the 70's he would n't have got a look in. Big strong guy,though.

 

Jess Willard is one of the great misunderstood stories in heavyweight history ...

The man had terrific physical gifts. He had great size, strength, chin, heart and power. He simply started to box way too late and was never trained as a professional boxer. He developed a fine jab and a dangerous uppercut ... Imagine if the man did not lace on a pair of gloves for the first time until his late 20's ?

If the question is if the same Willard of Havava stepped in the ring he'd lose a decision .. however if Willard was brought up properly and trained and maximized his skill set, likely far better ...

 

BLAH BLAH BALH JESS WILLARD,, blah blah blah...

Not even top 100 in the WBF.
He's famous for throwing ONE right hand... more so for recieving 100 from an exhausted, un-aerobic puncher.

 

you're being far to charitable to those od timers