Joe Louis vs Jack Dempsey Bare knuckle 20 rounds.

Wills fought Sam Langford to a draw in May of 1914. Newspaper decision for Wills from New Orleans Times-Democrat and The Daily Picayune, INS.

Langford was in trim fighting shape at 187lb and 31 years old. He was coming off a long winning streak. Take note Wills fought to a draw with both Top Rated Jeanette in 1913 in his 13th Pro Fight and # 1 rated Langford in only his 18th pro fight! Has anyone heavyweight champion in history taken such tough competition before his 20th pro fight?

Who was Dempsey fighting in his 13th and 18th pro fights? He certainly wasn't tackling near prime versions of Jeanette and Langford. Dempsey was busy getting his butt kicked by 2nd rate John Lester Johnson, and knocked out cold in 1 round by 37 year old journeyman fireman flynn.


Wills officially got beat Sam Langford in 1915, once Wills had matured. I would argue a 1915 Sam Langford is a better opponent than anyone Dempsey every beat(With the possible exception of J Sharkey). He also beat top contender Sam McVea in 1915.


Wills victories over Jeanette, Langford, McVea are better wins than anything Dempsey has on his resume

 

Which reinforces the notion that wills was an Excellent fighter for destroying Fulton, and him and no other fighter should have got a mandatory crack at Dempsey.

 

I posted what Wills did DURING Dempsey's reign .I've already said his rep rests on what he did BEFORE it. Jeannette was 40 years old!

 

Actually,

Norfolk BEAT billy miske TWICE in 1917 and 1919. Miske got the title shot against Dempsey instead.

Norfolk also beat Harry Greb. Greb beat Brennan, Miske, Gibbons, Tunney.

Wills has already beaten Langford several times before Fulton he even got to him in 1917.

Funny Gibbons lost badly to Greb in 1922, then got the title shot against Dempsey instead of Greb. He also lost to Greb in 1920.

"Tommy Gibbons lost the decision after a 15 round bout last night with Harry Greb, that was expected to develop the next opponent for Jack Dempsey. His arms flying around like the spokes on a speedster, Greb tore into the St. Paul boxer from the opening gong and set such a pace that Gibbons couldn't keep up with him and could never set himself for one of the punches that were expected to drop the jumping jack in front of him or take some of the steam out of what seemed to be a perpetual motion machine. As a fight it was a disappointment. It was furiously fast and hotly contested, but the impression stood out all over that either one would be easy for Dempsey. Neither Greb nor Gibbons was punished. Both bled a little around the mouth. Beyond puffed lips neither was marked at the end of the battle. Gibbons looked as if he had left himself in the gym. He has more speed than he showed. Against the flying Pittsburgh boy he looked slow and awkward. He allowed Greb to do the leading and set the pace and he seemed unable to get started." -United Press

Unofficial UP scorecard - 9-3-3 Greb
Unofficial INS scorecard - 8-5-2 Greb

 

There were no mandatories and I've never said Wills did not deserve a title shot.What I say is he was never the number one contender for 7 years.And that during Dempsey's reign he feasted on past it fighters like Langford ,Jeannette , smaller light heavies like Norfolk and Clark, and recycled Dempsey ko victims. That is undeniable and the papers castigated him for it.

 

This is my favorite part.


Prior to the Wills-Fulton match, World Heavyweight Champion Jack Dempsey said he would like to meet the winner, even if it were Wills. The very next day, it was announced that Dempsey would fight Billy Miske.

 

Then you give me a chronological order of who the number 1 contenders should have been each year.


I say Wills was the number one contender for 7 straight years since he did nothing to LOSE that ranking he had earned with wins in several title eliminators

 

Then you have Jack Dempsey taking on recycled Harry Greb victims like Gibbons, Miske, Carpentier Brennan instead of his top challenger.

Miske, Brennan, Firpo, Gibbons, Carpentier had done NOTHING to earn a title shot over Wills and Greb.

 

Look we all know you hate Dempsey it isn't a secret.Who Dempsey fought instead of Greb is not the issue.

During Dempsey's reign Gibbons fought 61 times and only lost 4 , to Greb,Tunney,Dempsey and a DSQ to Miske.

Wills didn't fight Gibbons Greb,Miske ,Brennan,Tunney or Godfrey. He sat on his **** waitng to be given a title shot on the basis of what he did before Dempsey was champ.
If you want to come down on someone for ducking Wills ,come down on Willard.!

 

A case can be made Wills should rate higher all time than Dempsey

 

Why didn't Wills fight them? Instead of picking over the leftovers of Jeannette Martin Smith,and Langford. Why didn't Wills fight Greb?

 

He didn't need too. Wills was the number 1 contender, not these guys. He had won several title eliminators and was the clear cut number 1 guy.

 

I repeat

Miske, Brennan, Firpo, Gibbons, Carpentier had done NOTHING to earn a title shot over Wills and Greb.

 

Why didn't DEMPSEY fight Greb? And Wills? His top 2 challengers of the whole era. Clear cut and dry.

Dempsey avoided his 2 biggest challengers and took on the middle of the pack fighters.

 

You sure would be the one to make it.

A case can be made that the slow Wills would be cake for Dempsey and I whole heartedly believe it.