How Much Of A Beating (prolonged), Would Prime Jack Johnson, Have Given Willard!?

I don't think much of Willard's skills but he did have size and heart. And his mauling style was wrong for Johnson even though JJ was dishing out most of the punishment. Over a 40-50 round fight it's possible that Willard always gets him along the way. Of course if JJ doesnt tire then Willard gets beaten to a pulp.

 

I suspect this Johnson eventually gets Willard out. But if Jess is still there as the fight goes into its second half, then who knows?

Willard said that, before the fight, he'd seen a bird sail in from the sea and land exhausted in Cuba. He took it as an omen, and said that he had just about enough in him to endure Johnson before the champion ebbed.

 

What a fantastic quote - I hadn't heard/read that before. Thank you. Not to over sell Big Jess but I do think he sometimes gets undersold. Johnson was old and inactive, we know that, but Jess successfully relied upon two very legitimate attributes in boxing - stamina and durability. Versus the Manassa Mauler, he also tagged Dempsey a few times before the savagery of the first round began - and though in horrible disrepair, he also caught Dempsey several times during rounds 2 and 3. It took exactly what Jack Dempsey did to see Jess off..anything less, then who knows?

He might just well have out lasted Dempsey also. Ah, I just remembered and checked on Boxrec - Dempsey vs Willard was scheduled for just 12 rounds (33 rounds less than Johnson vs Willard!!, lol). In terms of stamina, Jack would've likely seen it through - but that first round and, to a lesser degree, the following two rounds would've depleted Dempsey quite a bit and if Jess had somehow remained viable, the later rounds would've been interesting.

 

Pug ,I think it should be remembered that Willard ,whatever his fights were scheduled for only went over 20 rounds once v Johnson and only went 20 rds that one time Johnson went 20rds 11 times! So imo, it's possible Jess fades before Jack in a prime for prime battle

 

Thanks for your take Mc. Much appreciated.

Though Willard did look good coping with the distance and punishment while it lasted, Johnson was very well versed over the 20 round limit himself, as you stated - and that Johnson even lasted into the 26th rd age 37 and not in the greatest shape, was amazing.

Wind the clock back to the 1910 version (even then, he was already 32), you have to allow Johnson quite a few more rounds in the bag before he even begins to tire - and that also means more punishment and fatigue along the way for Big Jess.

No biggie but you sent this reply to BCS8 - he more or less mused the same thing as me anyway re the possibility of Jess outlasting Jack - so you’ve killed two birds.

 

Another thought: 37 year old, living very irregularly Johnson, meeting Willard over 45, pretty much had to try for a KO or TKO of Willard if he hoped to win. He might have actually, for that reason, been more active in the first 15 rounds --and burnt more gas (with a smaller tank) -- than a 32-yr old (1910 Reno) would have, if the younger Johnson took the attitude 'In for the duration, close it if the chance arises'.

 

Of course this was not "Prime" Jess either, both men where 30 plus going in this fight lol. Still I think had 1910 Johnson been there, I think the fight turns out about the same, with Johnson taking the "Early" rounds( Rounds 1-15 in this case is early) Jess takes over about round 30, and stops Jack in round 37.

 

Willard was in the shape of his life ,he was prime alright!

 

But was there an argument over some stocky slugger fighter that no fighter over 30 is prime lol.

 

No that was over a 38 years old fighter.name of Mr Cream who had had 68 fights and been fighting for 22 years.
Not one who had had only 29 fights and only been fighting for 4 years!
Its called wear and tear,or mileage on your clock!lol

 

Yeah Ferg. Imagine how a less than perfectly conditioned, 37 yo Big Jess felt before the fight - "A "mere" 12 rounds vs this little fella - if the little fella can even last that long with me? Too easy!"

I've never seen a more relaxed (= heavily complacent) and cheerful Champ than Jess was, prior to a title defense. Poor basterd had no clue as to the tornado that was just about to hit him. No one wonder Jess consoled himself after the fight with the facts that he still had $100,000 and a farm in Kansas. Like Dorothy said, "There's no place like home", though "home" (Kansas) of course, is well known for its own twisters. Jess should've worn red boxing shoes for that fight - so he could click them together to get the hell out of there when the Manassa Mauler began ramping it up.