I was watching the fight this morning a few observations. Willard did not look as bad as I had thought from memory he was beaten so thoroughly I usually focused on Dempsey. His jab and 1-2 look pretty fast, straight and hard. He was cracked hard from Dempsey's first right hand to the head before the first KD then Willard seem to wake up and started throwing harder looking for the big right. Dempsey was so quick on his feet I have a hard time seeing middleweights dealing with his speed that fight. He hit Willard hard with every punch I can see why he was accused of having loaded gloves because Willard looked like he was being hit with bricks like every punch hurt. This Dempsey in that fight was the perfect fighting machine and I have a hard time picturing any other heavyweight in the ring with Dempsey in that situation beating him. I feel bad for Willard his corner woke him up and sent him back out for round 2 and from the looks I don't think Willard quite knew what was going on he just fought on instincts. Dempsey punished him as a tiger like that was expected to do. Hats off to Willard, he was a mans man few would have taken it like that. Matching greats against each other at their greatest moments no fighter could have beaten Dempsey that day. Comments.
Does anyone know if Willard (or both) were given odd or very direct instructions regarding clinching before this fight? He acts quite weird in the clinches during this fight.
The performance gets better every time I watch it. I love the calm before the storm, the quick feet and the quick jabs, hunting for an opportunity. I love the defensive poise as he makes his first attack. Obviously the destruction that followed speaks for itself.
Great post! It's not only a marvel that Willard lost standing up, he also came back from the knockdown streak to land some hard punches! But, as you said, Dempsey was a perfect fighting machine. Can't see him losing that night to too many people.
Willard surprises a lot of viewers watching him against Frank Moran and Floyd Johnson for the first time. Moran was no match for Willard's speed, and there were instances where Jess would dart in and out with a shot after Frank started throwing one.
One oddity from watching this bout since 1970 iOS a reaction by Willard just prior to the first KD. They are in a clinch and it looks like Dempsey throws an innocuous body shot. Does not appear hard and they are at very close quarters but Willard appears to grimace vividly. Never quite understood what was going on here. Odd.
Placement can be crucial here, like if it was on the short ribs. Timing also matters, as if it landed right when he was exhaling, it might blow the air out of him. A monster shot might do nothing if he was inhaling, but if he was breathing out, it might have a Heimlich Maneuver type effect in a certain location. Ali gave away body shots, but usually when and where he was prepared to. (One of the few times he was caught by surprise was when Mildenberger, not known for his power or body work, doubled Ali over with a left cross to the gut just before getting stopped.)
Yes I am aware of the Mildenburger body shot. That was a strong blow to the pit of Ali's belly. Watch the first minute of Dempsey Willardand look for the reaction of Willard to what appears to be an innocuous blow. Let me know what you think.
