Who is the better all round fighter Jess Willard or Riddick Bowe?

Sure, but if it was as simple as that then the Primo-Bowe thread never would have reached 100+ pages.

 

Well, it was definitely a troll thread. But then, Carnera was better from technical standpoint than Willard and he had some technical advantages over Bowe. Not saying that he was better of course, but I can see Carnera defenders having more arguments.

 

I’m amazed this questions been asked.

 

Resume? Bowe beat Tubbs, Biggs, hide, Cooper, Thomas, seldon, holyfield 2x. Sure some of them were past their prime and he could have fought some of the younger more deserving contenders and belt holders but he certainly had a more credible and successful career than jesse freaking Willard.

Willard beat an old jack Johnson and some barroom brawlers. I dare you to name a single heavy you think compared to the best names Bowe beat.

Longevity? Willard won the title and did nothing for 4 years then lost it to a guy 50 lbs lighter. Bowe's prime was brief but he at least was competitive in all his fights (aside from when he got his nuts smashed repeatedly).

Historical significance?

Willard will forever be known as the goliath vs David of boxing getting demolished by a guy who looks like his rebellious son on film. That's his contribution to history, being on the receiving end of an entertaining brutal 1 sided beat down. Bowe gave us one of the most memorable trilogies in the history of boxing.