How did Jess Willard beat Floyd Johnson aged 41 after a nearly 4 year lay off?

They certainly should, but I get the idea that Willard's power bailed him out.

Whatever the case, Willard is clearly in the picture long after he loses the title.

 

That's pretty good film although the camera is too distant. Too bad the KO footage is missing.

Actually, even though brutally beaten down by Dempsey, I think you can still see and source some very positive features to Willard's game in that fight - the jab, the one two and the uppercut, still able to catch the bobbing/weaving Dempsey at times on the outside and in close also, even despite Big Jess being in major physical disrepair.

Jess definitely had some tools and good executions. However,, even in the old film, his heart not really being in the game seems to come through. Not talking courage, of course. Willard had that in spades.

Does anyone know the motive behind the comeback? Jess was still pretty well off financially, or not so? Or was it a "glory" based comeback? I don't know the backstory.

 

Willard is better than giving credit for. I think beating a old Johnson and the mauling Dempsey gave him, has hurt him legacy wise. Him at his best in a 40 plus round fight would be a hand full for anyone imo.

 

I think signing on to the circus and not defending his title for 3 years doesn't help either. I know why he did it ($) but not a great look for the heavyweight champ.

 

Willard’s skills are worse than crude. He wouldn’t stand a chance against skilled heavyweights in 12 round fights

 

True, but there were guys like Corbett and Fitz who indulged in their own extended hiatuses prior to and Dempsey afterward - there were also some logistical obstacles presented by the war during Willard’s reign.

 

It was a odd era to being champ. You made more money in the long run being on the circus with people wanting to meet the champ or do some easy sparring, Why risk that taking on a dangerous contender when you can milk the title for a few years?? Sullivan did it, Corbett did it, Fitz did it, and Dempsey did later after he beat Willard. I really do not hold that against him. Now I am not saying Willard is a ATG here, but he did no worse than other champs during that time.

 

Which is pretty impressive considering he didn't start fighting until his mid 20's. Jess had size and stamina and those are usually mutually exclusive.

 

Being so lax on defences seems to be common in old champions.

 

And in a era of fights to the finish, that really made him a tough task to handle. Look, Ali could chop and cut Willard for 12-15 rounds, but I think Willard may shock people with a win in a 40 round fight under the rules of the day. You really had to blast him out early like Dempsey did.

 

Who would have guessed the best game plan against a heavyweight champion was to simply knock him the **** out?

 

Thank you,, I agree with that assessment.

 

Fair enough I see your point. I will say that I still think not defending for that long is a good look for any of the guys in that era. Again, I understand why they did it though ($$$).

 

When you see the actual $$$ they were paid for their theatre diversions and such - it was insane.

Even open training sessions commanded a considerable, tidy sum for entry and viewing.

And, tbh, you’d be literally insane to fight for $$$ when you didn’t have to.

Participation in boxing pivots itself on $$$ reward and narrow options to earn income otherwise.

The so called hunger - was removed when they hit Champion status, with much easier and alternate means to gain income - serious income.