Why did Willard get a title shot at JJohnson?

I suppose Willard was a true lineal champion, but only because he came around at just the right time.

 

You could say that about many Champs I think, that is the nature of the sport.

 

Very true.

 

ya

 

It was the era of the great white hope , they would have done anything to get the title back into white hands, Jack was loathed on so many levels that when a half decent farm boy as big as Jess came along , he was natures choice of bringing Jack down, there were no other qualifications needed..

 

Not to state the painfully obvious, but as we all know, Willard was a gigantic son of a ***** for the time that he lived in. What was he? 6'6", 240 lbs or something? Christ, that was unheard of in those days. Not to mention, he was a strong man who labored for 10-12 hours a day doing heavy lifting in the hot sun. He must have been as strong as a bull. I don't know how good his actual boxing ability was, but considering that Johnson had a habit of holding and wrestling with his opponents, he must have had a hell of a time with Willard.

 

Amazing Johnson didnt do much wrestling with Willard, I suppose it must of been because Willard could have been stronger in that type of boxing match(Ie could not repeat what he did to Jeff, Burns, Ketchal ete)