Dunkhorst was a bit of a tomato can but he was still Jeff's sparring partner, and was good enough for Tommy Ryan to favour him against Fitzsimmons both in public and in private reports. Sure, he was wrong to favour him against Fitzsimmons, but Willard isn't Fitzsimmons himself. Ed was able to last 22 rounds against Ruhlin as well as make it the distance against Choynski, Childs, Maher and Armstrong. Could he beat Jess?
Well ... my late Grandfather, Djanders on these forums, once had a kid convinced that HE was Jess Willard, still alive in modern times ... that is until my Grandmother got in the middle of it, AND my Grandfather said that nobody from 1915 to 1923 could have beaten Willard, EXCEPT Dempsey, Wills, and Firpo ... sooo I am saying a strong NO to Dunkhorse!
Jess would keep Dunkhorst away with his pole like left,and as Dunkhorst would pose no threat to him,the Cowboy would not exert himself unduly,being content with a dreary dec win. Fitz took on "The Human Freight Car", methodically walked around him placing his punches as he wished,he easily derailed," The Freight Car," without working up a sweat.
Dunkhorst was a nothing. I don't recall him having his hand raised over a decent fighter. Willard at least proved he had the goods, limited as he was. He could take it and he could give it out on what was then the elite level. And while he might not have been the most scientific, he knew what worked for his physical assets and stuck to the game plan.
