How much credit do you give Willard, Dempsey, Tunney ?

I give them the full credit for beating the versions of the fighters they beat. Very good wins for all 3!

 

They definitely should get some measure of credit, because all victories had impressive elements in them. I quite like Willard's right that put Johnson out, for instance. He feints well to get the opening and then lands it with some aplomb. Anyone envision Valuev landing a punch like that in a similar stage of such a fight?

It's hard to know just how competitive Johnson, Willard and Dempsey were at the the time of their losses, though. They had been fighting very infrequently and were well into their 30's (especially Willard and Johnson).

For example, I think it's doubtful if any of these wins were more impressive than Lewis' over Tyson for example. On the other hand I'd rate Dempsey's win over Willard higher than Louis' over Schmeling, I think. (EDIT: By chance I just saw Louis-Schemling II again and Joe is truly awesome in that fight, though)