How would he do in either decade? Being the no. 1 contender for like 8 years isn’t something you’ll find in every era. 6’2 210 pounds with a very long reach, an effective infighter, has good defense and quick reflexes, good at countering, crazy strong though who knows how it’d hold up in the roid era. Though he’s also pretty flat footed though it’s at a late stage in his career, and doesn’t jab as much as you’d hope for a man with that reach. Prime Wills of the late teens sounded more well rounded. How would he do? Would he be at the top with the likes of Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Norton, Holmes, Liston, Patterson, or further down with with the likes of Quarry, Bonavena, Ellis, Martin, Shavers, etc?
Wasn't Wills 6'4 from memory? 6'4 and about 220 lbs? Harry Wills His size and power alone would likely make him a top contender. Question is: was he an enormous puncher or more of a cumulative puncher? Also, how quick was he? Could he genuinely cope with fast fighters as quick as Ali? Too many unanswered questions due to lack of video.
The only footage I’ve seen of wills demonstrating decent speed was when he was toying with his sparring partner when Dempsey negotiations began in 1925-26. This content is protected Also a bit against Bartley Madden in 1925 but he’s far less mobile This content is protected
In the 60s he’d be Ali’s rival Liston would be the 3rd best guy of the era, well provided he can perform as well as he did in his own era with the rule adjustments.
He looks very good. But its very hard to tell how good/quick he was at his peak. He still looks pretty good while clearly past his prime.
His KO rate might be inflated because boxing rec doesn't count NWS's. His main feat is a power feat with Fulton and as pseudo champ he got Weinart outta there quick. But you could say the same with Ali against Liston and Foreman and no one would call him an enourmas puncher. The problem with Wills resume is its mostly him fighting the same 6 top guys over and over and the Fulton win. Wills started fighting white fighters regularly at 35 once he became the clear number one contender. While he clearly wasn't washed at the same time its very hard to draw any conclusions about him as a fighter from those 6 fights.
Wills style included a lot of clinching, holding, leaning, and fouling, particularly against smaller opponents. Doubt he fairs much better than Ellis or Bonavena.
