This would have been one of the super heavyweight fights back in the day. I mean, Willard was 6 foot 6, and Firpo was no slouch either at 6 foot 2. The fight was damn annoying tho. The commentator started by saying that it was a slugging match. Then the film skipped to round 8 when Willard gets knocked out. It was not a special knockout at all. I might have been able to appreciate it more if I had seen what a tough fight it was, but oh well... One thing's for sure. Willard never should have attempted a comeback.
I wasn't able to find any of this fight prior to the 8th round. Off research, Firpo had won 6 of the first 7 rounds with a body attack with Willard fighting a passive, defensive fight. In the 8th Willard is described as going on the offensive, but I didn't see much offense on the film. Willard was still fighting in the old, passive pre-Dempsey style. I found a very clear version of the 8th round with Spanish narration. Nothing much happens until Firpo suddenly explodes with a series of clubbing rights and Willard falls into a squat in the corner and stays in the squat for the full ten count. This sudden explosion from Firpo was similar to his performance in the 12th round against Brennan and when he knocked Dempsey out of the ring. Most of the films on you tube of this fight actually consist mainly of film of the Willard-Floyd Johnson fight at Yankee Stadium. (still photos showing the ring and the looming triple-decks are dramatic). Johnson shows nothing much. He didn't seem to have much skill and lacked the power to hurt Willard. Willard in 1923? Big but what else? Firpo doesn't show much skill but was a dangerous puncher who would suddenly erupt with a dangerous volley of punches which could put a man out, as with Willard in this fight. The 8th round footage is well worth watching for a boxing fan.
Yeah, but look at how many people were at the Willard fights in his comeback. Record setting up to then I believe. Willard was a massive draw.
Well Willard was consider the guy that saved the white race from the menace of Jack Johnson. I am pretty sure for a white man in the early 1920's, that would sell a ticket.
