1919 Jess Willard vs. 1988 Larry Holmes

OK - Both 1919 Willard and 1988 Holmes were around the same age, coming off an extended layoff, and facing a young, fast, explosive, and murderous puncher in his prime. Willard lasted three rounds and Holmes into the fourth in each of their most devastating career losses. Yet, each demonstrated some attributes that give a hint as to how they might have fared against each other at this point in their careers.

1919 Willard suffered seven crushing knockdowns in the first round at Toledo, yet displayed an almost inhuman gameness in getting up for more. Despite that first round carnage, Willard remained on his feet during the next two rounds before retiring in his corner between rounds. While a decent puncher, Holmes was never a deadly, devastating puncher, even in his prime. Therefore, I would not expect a 1988 Holmes to stop Willard inside the distance. Nor would I expect a 1919 Willard to stop Holmes. We really didn't get to see how much Big Jess had left in 1919 since he was so completely overwhelmed by Dempsey. But against Johnson and Moran he had been content to let the other fighter force the action and counter with his jab and right uppercut. That probably would have been the same strategy he planned to use against Dempsey - hope that Jack came swarming forward in order to catch him with the uppercut. But Dempsey boxed carefully in the early moments of the round, waiting and feinting for the opening he wanted.

1988 Holmes could still box well. In fact, he was doing well against Tyson until the fateful fourth round. He even got up on his toes for a while and showed good movement. Getting his arm caught in the rope gave Tyson the opening he needed and that was it. Tyson probably would have stopped him anyway, but it may have taken longer.

So, I see these versions of Willard and Holmes going the limit with no knockdowns. Holmes would box and move, not giving Jess and his uppercut anything to hit. Another factor is conditioning. Willard in 1919 was poorly trained and something like 20 pounds heavier than when he took the title from Johnson. Holmes doubtless was better trained. I see Holmes winning a comfortable decision.

 

Big Jess had a lot less miles on the clock in reality and i struggle to see the Holmes of that night getting through 15 rounds so this could be interesting i think - only a savage puncher in blistering form is stopping Willard so Holmes doesnt have a hope in hell of doing that? You know what i'm leaning towards Willard late in this one haha i think Holmes would be surpised with how well Willard could jab with him too - Willard is very tall and very long and also very awkward - Carl The Truth was fairly competetive with the Holmes of a few years before?

 

Willard KO 3. Whatever Tyson could do, big Jess could do better.

 

stick to Heavyweight blog

 

I agree that Holmes had more in the tank and was better to begin with.

 

Holmes would easily outbox Willard

 

Nothing I could say would improve on JWSoats.

Holmes by easy decision, but not likely by KO, except possibly by cuts.

Don't see Willard having much of a chance, unless Holmes somehow runs into one of Willard's uppercuts.

 

Do you get an alarm bell each time Tyson is typed on this forum??

 

Okay, how about Howard Cossell calls the match loaded up on liquor.

 

Even a joke sends you off the edge when your idol gets mentioned.

What a sad little fanboy you are.

 

"All past heavyweights were CWs, no way could they beat modern day fighters"

And then you go and pick Willard over Holmes.

So that's Klitsckos, Calzaghe, Kovalev and now Willard, compare that to all your posts bashing Hopkins, Ward, Mayweather, Tyson and Ali.

No pattern there.

 

Whatever Willards weaknesses, he was unequivocally a lot better than C00ney.

 

I've never made that statement. Stupid for you to say that because Willard was a giant HW for his day, bigger than Holmes.

It was obviously a joke you moron. You're only up and arms about it because I mentioned Tyson, a fighter you happen to have a sick obsession over.

You're just trying to piece together some connections to fit your agenda.
I am not concerned about something as trivial as race, you seem to be.

It's quite the contradiction that Azzer85 aka azzir aka Azzer is making thinly veiled accusations of racism....

 

:think

No pattern there.