I dont know much about Willard or what happened to Johnson after his title reign Willard- How much of a hero did he become for his win over Johnson? And what were the opinions going into the Dempsey fight, was he favored? Johnson- Did he ever get close to getting another title fight? (well i mean i bet they would never let him get another shot) but did he do good after the loss?
Not sure how much of a hero Willard was regarded overall - no doubt he was greatly hailed after winning the title. He did not fight much as champion - he fought a 10-round no-decision bout with Frank Moran in 1916 and did not fight again until he faced Dempsey in 1919. Between those two fights he declared that he would not defend the title while the first World War was still on. Still, he was regarded as being virtually unbeatable. He was the betting favorite over Dempsey. Tex Rickard told Dempsey before the fight that if Willard knocked him down to stay down, fearing that Dempsey might be killed. (Willard had previously killed a boxer, Bull Young, in the ring.) Willard himself approached either Kearns or Willard about immunity in the event that he killed Dempsey. Hard to believe in view of what actually happened in Toledo, but that was the feeling among many at that time. Legendary lawman-turned sports writer Bat Masterson was a big Willard fan. Dempsey's father even picked Willard to win. Regarding Johnson, he continued fighting and went undefeated until 1928. I know of no serious talk of him getting another title shot, and in his autobiography he admits being resigned to this fate. He worked briefly as a sparring partner for Luis Firpo in early 1923, and was fired for showing off by making Firpo look bad in sparring sessions. During this 12-year period, he really didn't face any top contenders, but after winning a 15-round decision over prospect Pat Lester in 1926, he issued a challenge to champion Jack Dempsey saying that he would eagerly step into the ring with him. His challenge was ignored, as well as a similar challenge to Tunney after the latter won the title from Dempsey. In 1928 Johnson was stopped by both Big Bill Hartwell and Bearcat Wright. By this time he was 50 years old. After losing the title, Johnson's skill kept him winning after his speed deserted him and for a time that was enough. He continued with a few more bouts and exhibitions off and on until his exhibition with Joe Jeannette in 1945. As a side note, it is interesting that both Johnson and Sam Langford fought bouts on July 4, 1919, the day Dempsey took the title from Willard.
