Old Harry Wills Reaches The End Of The Line

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mcvey, Jan 29, 2016.


  1. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

    98,706
    30,620
    Jun 2, 2006
    Wills in decline here, is smashed by Uzcudun.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBOUmkoI44w

    I'm sure he was a lot better than this, but his upright style and slow movements do make him look a perfect foil for Dempsey imo.
    I repeat he is an old fighter here,[38] ,so no attempt is being made to pass him off as prime.
     
  2. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    15,603
    9,189
    Oct 8, 2013
    I agree. Dempsey did his legacy a great disservice by not forcing the match with Wills all these years later. From the limited footage we have of Wills (Madden, Firpo, Uzcudun) I feel stylistically he would be at a big disadvantage against Dempsey. I know some disagree and defend their position strongly but to me, the Dempsey of the Firpo bout takes Wills out.
     
  3. Berlenbach

    Berlenbach Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,191
    1,255
    Sep 27, 2011
    By way of comparison, here's a 37 year old Dempsey getting bashed up by Kingfish Levinsky.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5VKDH15t2o

    I know he was old, but look how easily Levinsky picks him off and neutralises his bull rushes. Just imagine what a prime Wills would have done to him.
     
  4. foreman&dempsey

    foreman&dempsey Boxing Addict banned

    4,805
    149
    Dec 7, 2015
    Lmao!! Great answer
     
  5. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

    42,723
    279
    Jul 22, 2004
    Yet you're posting well known video by everyone to show him in a negative light when we have better video of him.
     
  6. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

    42,723
    279
    Jul 22, 2004
    Something tells me a reply won't be forthcoming to this unless it's 'Dempsey was clowning to the cameras'
     
  7. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

    98,706
    30,620
    Jun 2, 2006
    We have him against Firpo ,Sharkey, and Madden, how much better do you think he looks?
     
  8. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

    98,706
    30,620
    Jun 2, 2006
    Reply delayed while I answered your other post.
    Dempsey had his last fight in Sep 1927, he had that exhibition with Levinsky in Feb 1932.That's 4 and half years of inactivity and accumulated ring rust by my reckoning.
    Wills fought Sharkey 9 months before Uzcudun.

    Spot the difference?
     
  9. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

    98,706
    30,620
    Jun 2, 2006
    See my reply!

    BTW

    Dempsey was night clubbing and bedding starlets for 4.5 years Wills was a health nut who neither smoked or drank and used to fast 1 month a year, plus he was still an active fighter, ranked in the top 6 as late as 1926. Who do you think was in better shape?
     
  10. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    15,603
    9,189
    Oct 8, 2013
    Great answer!!
    Btw is there footage of Wills vs Sharkey or did you mean Madden??
     
  11. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. Full Member

    55,255
    10,363
    Jun 29, 2007
    Agreed.
     
  12. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

    98,706
    30,620
    Jun 2, 2006
    No ,sorry to raise your hopes, my glitsch.:oops: Madden and Firpo can be seen on You Tube.
    As I've been accused of having an agenda with this thread ,despite twice reiterating Wills was "in decline" and including "Old" in the threads title ,and also stating his age. Here is the available footage on Harry.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-BsVEa9H-Y
     
  13. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. Full Member

    55,255
    10,363
    Jun 29, 2007
    No apologies necessary in this department. You often don't know what you're watching. That much has been proven.
     
  14. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

    42,723
    279
    Jul 22, 2004
    Allot better, I've discussed it on this forum before in threads you've read.

    Yea Wills was younger. Dempsey was clearly training and trying to launch a comeback to regain the title.

    Dempsey if he won would have probably got a title shot, where as Wills was told he'd never get a title shot. Spot the difference?

    Maybe that's why he got ko'd by Gunboat Smith, schooled by a fat midget, hurt by a C class Brennan, hurt by a tiny middling fighter in Carpentier and knocked out the ring by a bodybuilder. Interesting theory.
     
  15. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

    98,706
    30,620
    Jun 2, 2006
    Dempsey wasn't relevant to boxing in1932, he hadn't been the Manassa Mauler since Firpo in1923, 9 years earlier.
    Dempsey had the opportunity to try and reclaim the title, and make a mint when Rickard proposed a third match with Tunney ,he declined, he knew he was finished , he was out on his feet at the end of their second fight, over 15 rds Tunney might have stopped him .
    It's not the age it's the inactivity and their respective life styles.