If Dempsey is a modern LHW what other modern LHWs beat Willard?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Kamikaze, Feb 25, 2021.


  1. Chuck1052

    Chuck1052 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Keep in mind that the world heavyweight championship bout between Jess Willard, the champion, and Jack Dempsey, the challenger, was a no-decision one. That meant Willard would have retained the title if the bout went the distance, even if he took a terrible beating and was knocked down repeatedly.

    - Chuck Johnston
     
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  2. FrankinDallas

    FrankinDallas FRANKINAUSTIN

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    I would have loved to have seen Willard vs Primo Carnera. Multiple knockdowns, final KO of monumental proportions. Like Godzilla vs Kong.
     
  3. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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    An interesting factor might be if the modern guy wore 10 ounce gloves and Willard wore the gloves of his era, which I believe were 4s.
    How would the modern guy take the punches from a 245 pound guy with tiny gloves? Would Willard even notice punches from a light heavy in 10s? Keep in mind that Gunboat Smith said that, in that era, they sparred with 8s.
     
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  4. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    If we are talking about Toledo Willard, the guy who sluffed off training and sparring, I would say many, many, many cruisers and lightheavies would take him.

    Many, many, many.
     
  5. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    How would that be even remotely fair? Why would two opponents wear different ounce gloves? They should both be the same.
     
  6. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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    Because the op specifies the Willard that fought Dempsey- and he wore 4s- and a modern light heavyweight, and the modern guy wears 10s every time he fights.
     
  7. LoadedGlove

    LoadedGlove Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I'd back Bob Foster, D.ck Tiger and Michael Spinks. Oh, and Archie Moore of course.
     
  8. Kamikaze

    Kamikaze Bye for now! banned Full Member

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    Well by his own admission in his book Jack says he was 180lbs for the fight against Jess.
     
  9. Kamikaze

    Kamikaze Bye for now! banned Full Member

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    Pardon- They would be under the modern rule sets also.
     
  10. Kamikaze

    Kamikaze Bye for now! banned Full Member

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    Why do you add the

    -Chuck Johnston?
     
  11. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    I'd add James Toney as well.
     
  12. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    LHW James Toney would not beat Jess Willard.

    None of the modern examples provided in this thread would. Nope. Nuh uh.
     
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  13. Boilermaker

    Boilermaker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Bob Foster is a huge call, with his record against Heavyweights. I cant see it.
     
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  14. Kamikaze

    Kamikaze Bye for now! banned Full Member

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    Dempsey at his best was just under 190lbs? but possibly about 180lbs by his own mouth.
    He could easily have shed off the water weight to make LHW, plenty of LHWs today come in heavier then Dempsey.
     
  15. ron davis

    ron davis Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Billy Conn......

    Jack Dempsey would have beaten Joe Louis.

    Fighting with 6 oz. gloves in that era, you had to be awful tough and crazy.

    Question? If the mitts have extra bandages/gauze, two or three times the limit, would he hit harder, wearing 6oz. gloves?
     
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