Jess Willard in today's heavyweight division

I haven't seen Prime Willard, but I assume he'd be at least on-par with Dimitrenko, who is currently rated #9 by The Ring.

 

Willard reminds me a great deal of Vitali...where Vitali would have a advantage is in lower body mobility.....Wllard tended to be in cement.

 

I have to conclude that he almost certainly would, with any half way competent manager.

You really don't have to beat anybody verry good to crack the top 10 today. Fighters like Audley Harrison and Matt Skelton have done it without beating an y opponent who was better than commonwealth level. Today we have Areola at #10 and Dimetrenko at #9, and neither has beaten anybody who would pose much of a threat to Willard.

You don't have to beat anybody in the top 10 to get into the rankings and if you do you generaly secure a top 5 ranking. Tomas Admek and Eddie Chambers got their current rankings by beating #10 Chris Areola and #5 Alexander Dimitrenk respectivly and I don't think either of these guys wouls have brought too much to the table for Willard. You also have to consider that #4 Admek and #5 Chambers themselves would have presented a fairly favourable stylistic match for Willard and would be verry beatable.

In summary, I suggest that Willard almost certainly cracks the top 10, probably cracks the top 5 and probably fights for a title. The fact that he was a white American heavyweight, who would be hyped by the press, could not hurt him.

 

i have to agree.this current heavyweight division stinks.

 

David Haye would almost certainly avoid him.