Willard vs. Schmeling

Given 45 rounds and a hotter than hell climate, I might be encouraged to lay some money on Cuban Jethro. Yee-Haw!

 

Schmeling had enough defence to avoid most of Jess' offence. He had enough pop in his punches to make Jess feel them too. Over a shorter distance give me Schmeling everytime. Can Willard grind out a win over 45? Maybe. He was a huge guy with great chin, stamina and heart. Max doesn't have Dempsey's big guns to absolutely wreck Jess fast. It could be that the much smaller man tires and gets ground down late much like Johnson. Or, it could also be that the fight is one long beatdown, where Willard struggles to land his crude offense and Max feeds him counterpunches all night long in a horrific beating.

 

Willard in his prime, was very underrated. He had a good jab, could tie up and had an absolute devastating right hand. And the biggest point..an iron chin and unlimited Stamina. Also..jess through his punches straight down the middle..no looping or wide swinging Haymakers. Straight down the middle and kind of fast. Willard k.o 8 rounds.

 

I also love how Joe louis bum of tge month opponents are suddenly being elevated to legendary status

 

Willard would have a very sore if not broken jaw from Max's right hands.

 

Neither Schmeling fights were part of bum of the month tour. The very title bum of the month had nothing to do with the quality of the opponents, it was about signifying that Louis was so good even good contenders looked like bums next to him and that he fought once a month for 13 months straight. Schmeling is the only man to hold a legit win over prime Louis, which makes it one of the greatest wins in the sport's history imo, right next to the FOTC, Brawl in Montreal, or LaMotta's win over Robinson. Louis' resume is deep, and he fought in a good era for the HW division. He was an important figure for the recognition and acceptance of black people in the U.S. and Louis has a very arguable case for being the greatest ever HW and he did fight some great opponents in his 25 defences.

 

LOL you need to actually watch Willard footage. Here he is vs Frank Moran, who, let's be honest, sucked:

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I see no boxing mastery from Willard. He had a pawing left jab and some useful uppercuts on the inside. But beyond that his punches are cuffing hooks thrown from the shoulder. His defence is in the Joe Joyce mould of eating everything the other guy cares to throw at him.

 

Frank Moran did not suck. He beat Jim Coffey twice going into that fight and Commonwealth champion Wells. He probably did not deserve two title shots over everyone else but he was a solid elite fighter.

 

Max by decision.

 

Max. Don't know if it's a KO or UD but either way he dishes out a beating.

 

Yeah I reckon I'll take Allen Babic to beat him

 

Schmeling outboxes and punishes Willard enough to grant a stoppage around the 10th frame. Max wasn't the most sophisticated but he minded his P's and Q's and was plenty sufficient in skill and power to punish Willard.