Prime Mike Tyson vs. Jess Willard...Does Tyson take Willard out in 1?

This is a valid point I confess myself to overlooking, Dempsey being a taller and longer armed fighter than Tyson. Perhaps Mike will have to work harder to find the money punch?

 

Well, I don't think Jess Willard would fight like Mike Jameson either.

I do think Tyson is quite unpredictable in how successful he would be against a variety of fighters, in his prime. Against big lumps especially.

Willard held against Dempsey, but they broke quickly and broke extremely cleanly.

It's really impossible to make comparisons because Tyson was a completely different fighter to Dempsey, in style and in physical dimensions. The way Dempsey started against Willard, and the way Willard responded, don't help any it figuring out how Willard-Tyson would look.

I would consider quite an early KO or TKO win for Tyson as a likely result. Not necessarily as quick or quicker than Dempsey did it though.
But a 1st round KO is certainly possible.

 

Smith had a more muscular body but I do not think he was better, Green was garbage, Tucker may have been better but he fought on even terms with 5'11 Orlin Norris and KO'd in 2 by Herbie Hide at about the same age that Willard was KO'd by Dempsey ....Willard may have been inactive but he was amazing the way he kept getting up vs Dempsey with broken facial bones and ribs......He was heroic and courageous and tough

 

No, no, and no. If anything, it's the other way around.

As far as skill and punching ability goes, Dempsey trumps Tyson.
As for size, they're roughly equal if you factor height, weight, and reach in.

As for Willard-Tyson, I think Tyson wins a 15 round decision, but Jess would finish on his feet.