When the fight occurred in 1919, it was an extraordinary eventa world championship competition located in a place many might have classified as an American backwater, a small city far from the nations largest population centers. Jess Willard was the reigning world champion and the owner of a brutal reputation. Willard said he started boxing because he did not have much of an education, but thought his size and strength could earn him a good living. Born Jess Willard Griffin, 28 March 1916, Washburn, Texas Died 26 May 1959, Auburn, California. The reason he would lie is that he was embarrassed to lose. For days and days, the sole topic of conversation in the world of sport will be Willard's astonishing comeback."[12]. Despite this, virtually no one anticipated a Willard victory. A veteran newspaper editor, she is recently the author of The Last American Hero: The Remarkable Life of John Glenn and has authored or co-authored seven other books, focusing on 20th-century American history or Philadelphia history. Dempsey knocked Willard down seven times in the first roundalthough it should be remembered that rules at the time permitted standing almost over a knocked-down opponent and hitting him again as soon as both knees had left the canvas. On Popular Bio, He is one of the successful Boxer. Willard is interred in the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. You can see a bright blue sky with white, puffy cumulus clouds. View the profiles of professionals named "Jess Willard" on LinkedIn. Willard parlayed his boxing fame into an acting career of a sort. But now I cant find it anywhere! What a stupid question. At 6 feet, 6 inches and 240 pounds, Willard was considered unbeatable in his day. Willard was knocked down for the first time in his career during the first round and another seven times before the round was over; some reports claim that he suffered broken ribs, shattered jaw, broken nose, four missing teeth, partial hearing loss in one ear along with numerous cuts and contusions,[4] but these reports are highly disputable. In 1912 he was arrested and charged under the Mann Act, a racist law which effectively criminalized inter-racial couples and disallowed black men from traveling with white women. The champion lay on his back and barely moved as the referee counted him out. Pro lightweight fighter Benny Leonard predicted a victory for the 6'1", 187-pound Dempsey even though Willard, known as the "Pottawatamie Giant", was 6' 612 " tall and 245 pounds. Whites goal is to elicit the skill of close looking, which enables viewers of the painting to see details they might otherwise have overlooked. Flagg is best known for his World War I Uncle Sam poster, I Want You.. [10] However, this story has been disputed. In this rare video from 1919, we get to see and hear what it was like to witness the most brutal first round of any boxing match in the history of professional boxing. In 1919, when he was 37 years of age he lost the title in an extremely one sided loss by declining to come out for the fourth round against Jack Dempsey, who became a more celebrated champion. Dempsey knocked Willard down for the first time in his career with a left hook in the first round. Dempsey knocked Willard down seven times in the first roundalthough it should be remembered that rules at the time permitted standing almost over a knocked-down opponent and hitting him again as soon as both gloves had left the canvas. [13] However, after Willard took a beating for several rounds, he came back to knock down Johnson in the 9th and 11th rounds, and Willard earned a TKO victory. That said, its not difficult to understand the motivation behind Johnsons claim that his defeat to Willard was not legitimate. While many will know the name of Jack Dempsey, Americas dominant boxer of the 1920s, many people havent ever seen the fight that started Dempsey on his rise to fame and glory. The Galveston Giant was renowned for his technical skill and ring smarts. The champion started fast and in the early rounds landed a number of punishing blows. He lost the title to Jack Dempsey in 1919 in one of the most severe beatings ever in a championship bout. I have a very dear family member that I nearly lost to an opioid overdose. Hard to believe nowadays. Jess Willard was born in Kansas. Though every seat in the 80,000-seat arena was not filled, thousands were. As Dempsey was crowned the new champion and went on to hold and defend that title for 6 years, the older beaten Willard slipped into retirement and only ever boxed again in exhibitions. I suggest this because the fight sequences are brief, as the photographer stops and start the camera to catch key moments of action. Jess Willard (December 29, 1881 - December 15, 1968) was a professional boxer and one-time World Heavyweight champion who was as well known for his deliverance of powerful punches as he was for his ability to take them. Take a look at Johnson in 1910 in his fight with Jefferies. 07-18-2011, 12:25 PM. It was hotter than hell out there." Damon Runyon wrote afterward: "Youth, take off your hat and bow low and respectfully to Age. Before the Dempsey fight, Willard, 37, asked for legal immunity in case the challenger landed in the morgue. What the crowd didnt know was that they were about to witness one of the worst beatings any fighter would take in the history of the sport. All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as no decision bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column. Willard is no Fury, Joshua, or Wilder though. Would you like to spar a few rounds ?" It is a city of fights and fighters, of hockey and heroes, of broken dreams and immortal glory, a city unlike any other. Had he not been heavyweight champion of the world, Johnson would likely have been murdered in an America that still lynched black men for far less. Video: MiniDV [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 07/31/2006) Collection Number AFC/2001/001/62691; Cite as Joe William Gregory Collection (AFC/2001/001/62691), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress . Touch-based tracking system and method. Willard later made an initially successful comeback but was . An interview by a reporter from Kansas City on July 5, 1919, "Jess Refuses to Alibi," Kansas City Star, July 6, 1919, p. 14, the day after the fight, showed that "aside from the swelling on the right side of his face, which is under cold applications, he was none the worse apparently for his encounter with Dempsey. Willard said before the fight that he expected to take a beating for the first 10 or 15 rounds and had trained specifically for that scenario. In the fight, Willard was later reputed to have suffered a broken jaw, cheekbone, and ribs, as well as losing several teeth. Privacy Statement As far as I know, only a highlight of this fight survives. Dempsey biographer Roger Kahn reports that promoter George Lewis Tex Rickards efforts to avoid leaving fans thirsty was almost certainly the first major bootlegging operation within dry America.. He had been admitted to a hospital a week earlier for a heart condition, but left against a doctor's advice. The day was July 4th 1919 in Toledo Ohio. Chris, Steve, and Jimmy break down the premiere episode of The Last of Us.Join the conversation at streamingthingspod@gmail.comCheck out our YouTube Channel!This month Streaming Things is brought to you by.The K-Stew Patron Saints of Streaming ThingsChester CopperpotTry Before You Deny ProducersRabidDog InABarbieCar, Jose Ruben Cruz Rodriguez, Thomas Alexander, Emmy, Valerie, Stanton . On his passing in 1968, two weeks short of his 87th birthday, Jess Willard was the longest-lived heavyweight champion. In an interview on July 7, the Kansas City Times announced that Jess and his wife were leaving Toledo and driving their car back to Lawrence, Kansas that day. The Pottawatomie Giant Deserves Respect By Bobby Franklin Jess Willard In the recent heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder both men were, to put it mildly, quite large. Johnson began to tire after the 20th round, and was visibly hurt by heavy body punches from Willard in rounds preceding the 26th-round knockout. He was well past his prime, fat and dissipated, and he was worn down and knocked out by a strong, game and well-conditioned opponent., Of course the unfortunate victim of Johnsons highly questionable claim was Willard. Willard was a working cowboy from Kansas, born on December 29, 1881. "Were Dempsey's Gloves Loaded? Not much is definitely known of his early career although he . Consequently, the structure was a clear fire hazard, and no smoking was allowed during the fight. Willard explained his failure to kayo Moran by saying he had broken all the bones in his right hand in the third round, but Dr. Lewis Morris examined the champion after the bout and said Willard had a slight fracture of the joint of his right index finger. Willard made his professional boxing debut at the age of 29 against Lewis Fink on February 15, 1911. He was often maligned as an uncoordinated oaf rather than a skilled boxer, but his counterpunching style, coupled with his enormous strength and stamina, proved successful against top fighters. Johnson was just too old and hadnt fought in a while and it caught up with him. He said he started boxing because he did not have much of an education, but thought his size and strength could earn him a good living. He was the youngest of four brothers born to Myron and Margaret Willard. It became the second fight Willard is remembered for. Johnson found that he could not knock out the giant Willard, who fought as a counterpuncher, making Johnson do all the leading. To lose his world title to a fighter widely viewed as not being in in his league must have been exceptionally painful for a man as confident and proud as Johnson clearly was. In the seventh, he went for the knockout, pinning the hulking challenger in a corner and punishing him with hard shots for the rest of the round. The fight was in Havana Cuba and last a staggering 26 rounds. Your email address will not be published. The next day, Young was dead. Jess Willard Legendary Heavyweight Champion Vol.17 17,728 views Jan 5, 2014 166 Dislike Share Save EJ Boxing Live!! Why would Johnson dominate and batter an opponent if he intended to throw the fight? He lost the title to Jack Dempsey in 1919 in one of the most severe beatings ever in a championship bout. "[11] Historian J. J. Johnston ended all discussion when he pointed out that "the films show Willard upon entering the ring walking over to Dempsey and examining his hands. Films that achieved wide-release status after initial release; Opening Title Production company Cast and crew Genre A P R I L 4: Are We Done Yet? Sheltering at home during the Covid-19 crisis, Briana Zavadil White, the gallerys head of education, explains that the painting is a wonderful teaching tool. She describes the work: The setting is outside. Digitized at 78 revolutions per minute. On July 4, 1919, Dempsey and world heavyweight champion Jess Willard met at Toledo for the world title. Jess Willard, fdd 29 december 1881 i Pottawatomie County, Kansas, dd 15 december 1968 i Los Angeles, Kalifornien, var en amerikansk professionell tungviktsboxare som var vrldsmstare 1915-1919. Rickards plan was not perfect. He acted in a vaudeville show, had a role in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, and starred in a 1919 feature film The Challenge of Chance. Thus, years after the fact, he invented an elaborate explanation for his unlikely downfall, a defeat which at the time had shocked the boxing world. Through blood-soaked tears they were mumbled metronomically as he sat slumped on his stool at the end of the 3rd round. Evaluating the competitors, a fight announcer described Willard as having the muscles of a wrestler and the sheer power of a raging bull when his temper is aroused. He called Dempsey a young tiger with two murderous hands.. It is the racist history of America that must be taken into consideration here. Doc Kearns, Dempseys manager, admitted putting plaster of Paris in Dempseys gloves and soaking Dempseys hand wrappings in special salt brine before he fought Willard. Robert Portis. Johnson obviously didnt throw the fight. 85 people named Jess Willard found in California, North Carolina and 26 other states. Jess Willard was born December 29, 1881 (not 1883) in St. Clere, Kansas. The bell ended the round seconds later while the count was still under way. I wasnt just fighting for the championship. (1991) (1991), (1991) . Dempsey knocked Willard down for the first time in his career with a left hook in the first round. On April 5, 1915, in front of a huge crowd at the new Oriental Park Racetrack in Havana, Cuba, he knocked out champion Jack Johnson in the 26th round to win the world heavyweight boxing championship. He threw everything but the kitchen sink at him the previous round he was 100% spent. Fueled by ferocity, the 24-year-old challenger toppled Willard seven times in the first round and went on to capture the world title. C . Shortly after the fight, Jack Johnson had actually accepted defeat gracefully saying, "Willard was too much for me, I just didn't have it. His first and middle names were derived from that of boxer Jess Willard who had recently won the world heavyweight crown. National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet, Ancient DNA Charts Native Americans Journeys to Asia Thousands of Years Ago, Catch a Glimpse of a Rare Green Comet This Month, Ancient DNA Reveals a Genetic History of the Viking Age, See the Face of a Neolithic Man Who Lived in Jericho 9,500 Years Ago, Why the Hunterian Museum Is Removing the Skeleton of 'Irish Giant' Charles Byrne From View. Boxing fans not only wanted to see the fight: They were curious to see whether Dempsey would reach the contests end without suffering a fatal injury. Two years later he became the World Heavyweight Champion after he fought the popular Jack Johnson in 1915. Born in Greenwood Cl, Wisconsin on 19 Nov 1917 to George Andrew Korntved and Esther Sorlin. Willard was known for size rather than skill, and though held the championship for more than four years, he defended it rarely. He was convicted the following year and Johnson promptly skipped bail, leaving America to travel in Europe and South America. The former champ, who lost the title to Gene Tunney in 1926, opened a Manhattan restaurant, which bore his name, and commissioned this portrait, which graced the walls of the restaurant for three decades. The day he whipped Jack Johnson at Havana he could have given a tough battle to any man who ever held the title. Korntved. "Hello, Jess" said the reporter, "How do you feel ?" Known in years past as "Sin City" and "Babylon on the St. Lawrence", it saw more than its share of ring legends over the decades. He just got old, and from what I read, he really didnt train for this fight, believing his reputation would carry him to victory. Jess Willard Knighten in MyHeritage family trees (Walton Web Site) view all Immediate Family Robert Knighten father Esther Knighten mother Dorothy Jane Knighten sister Cora Lee Springer sister Robert Franklin Knighten brother Mary Ellen Knighten sister Anna Mae Knighten sister Nancy Pameila Knighten sister Private sibling Sadie Knighten stepmother He passed away on 16 Feb 2005 in Caledonia, Racine, Wisconsin. On May 12, 1923, promoter Tex Rickard hosted the opening of Yankee Stadium with a huge boxing card that included heavyweight contenders Luis ngel Firpo, Floyd Johnson and others, including Jess Willard. Johnson got up and returned to his corner, but he was bloody and hurt and unable to continue. Securing our Southern border is truly a matter of life or death. Willard was born in Kansas on December 29, 1881. The best seats sold for $60 apiece. Famous examples include the second Jack Sharkey vs Primo Carnera match; Jake LaMottas upset loss to Billy Fox; Johnny Saxtons gift decision over Kid Gavilan, and Bruce Seldonhitting the deck after Mike Tyson missed him with a left hook. Since arriving in the U.S. in 1922, the 6'2\" powerhouse from Argentina had blown through the ranks, leaving a trail of knockout victims. [2] On May 12, 1923, promoter Tex Rickard arranged for Willard to make a comeback, fighting Floyd Johnson as part of the first line-up of boxing matches at the newly opened Yankee Stadium in New York City. Willard had claimed that This will be the easiest fight of my career, and referred to how he was happy to bring the title belt back to the white race.. Jess lost his first exhibition bout in the 3rd round, but won his 2nd bout in the 6th. JESS WILLARD War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945 Branch of Service: Navy Location of Service: Great Lakes, Illinois; Pleasanton, California; Pacific Highest Rank: Shipfitter Second Class View full service history Share About this Item Title Jess Willard Roberts Collection Names Bard, Shirley AARP, Encinitas, California, Chapter 239 Roberts, Jess Willard Kearns was a master of these types of strategies and used them for other fights as well. Willard held the championship for more than four years. To create the artwork, Flagg used photographs taken during the match. There are 70+ professionals named "Jess Willard", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. The footage includes Firpo training, the referee's the referee's instructions, and the 8th round knockout. The first member of the Willard family arrived in Virginia in the 1630s. "The Galveston Giant" was renowned for his technical skill and ring smarts. Johnson's claim of a "dive" gained momentum because most fans only saw a still photo of Johnson lying on the canvas shading his eyes from the broiling Cuban sun. Ferdie Pacheco expressed the opinion in a book that the surviving photographs of Willard's face during the Dempsey fight indicate fractures to Willard's facial bones suggesting a metal implement, and show he was bleeding heavily. "[11], When interviewed by Harry Carpenter of the BBC Sport in the 1960s at his house in California, Willard said to the reporter, "I'll show you, how I was beaten." If Johnson couldnt break Willards cheekbone in 8 places and his jaw in 13 places after 20 + rounds of beating on Willard I know the Dempsey fight was definitely tampered. He was big and good-looking and smiling when he came into the ring. The Fight. Once youre there, I want you to think about your five sensessee, hear, taste, touch, and feel to sharpen perceptions of the work, which is almost 6 feet in height and more than 19 feet wide. Jess Willard won fair and square. 28 1946, , , ) . Years later, promoter Jack Curley stated, Nobody ever took Johnsons charges of fakery seriously. "[17] In 2020, a television program Antiques Roadshow - Crocker Art Museum (Season 24, Episode 8, Part 2), showed a photograph from his 5 April 1915 championship winning match, and the commemorative pocket watch Willard carried which was estimated to be valued between $15,000 and $50,000. Join the museum's director Kim Sajet as she chats with curators, historians and others about their favorite portraits. It was sweet redemption, spoiling the party for Jack Dempsey's next opponent. It still happens. Jess Willard Legendary Heavyweight Champion Vol.17 Watch on Willard held the championship for more than four years. Dempseys career was about to go into the next level when the 61, 187 pound Dempsey stepped into the ring to fight Willard in Toledo Ohio on July 4th 1919. Assuming that he was victorious as Willard lay sprawled at his feet, Dempsey left the ring during the first round before the referee had counted to ten. Columbia Pictures / Revolution Studios / RKO Pictures / Cubevision: Steve Carr (director); Hank Nelken (screenplay); Ice Cube, Nia Long, John C. McGinley, Aleisha Allen, Philip Daniel Bolden, Tahj Mowry, Dan Joffre, Pedro Miguel Arce, Linda Kash . Deforest himself said that he regarded the stories of Dempsey's gloves being loaded as libel, calling them 'trash' and said he did not apply any foreign substance to them, which I can verify since I watched the taping. He nonetheless lost to Jack Dempsey in 1919 in one of the most brutally one-sided contests in fistic history. Both fighters went to Toledo before the fight and set up training camps. asst. Defeated defending champion in 26 rounds to become world heavyweight boxing champion in 1915. Shortly after the fight rumors of foul play from Dempsey's corner began to spread. Willard's otherwise modest record crested on April 5, 1915, when he faced the seemingly unbeatable Jack Johnson for the heavyweight championship in Havana, Cuba. Nicknamed "Pottawatomie Giant" at 6 feet 5 inches tall and 235 pounds. Willard fought several times over the next four years, but made only one official title defense prior to 1919, defeating Frank Moran on March 25, 1916, at Madison Square Garden. In an interview with National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet, White describes how the jump-in strategy expands understanding and appreciation of the artwork: Imagine what it would be like to step inside of this painting wherever you like. 2014 166 Dislike Share Save EJ boxing Live! and Johnson promptly skipped bail, America! Was embarrassed to lose admitted to a hospital a week earlier for a heart condition, but left a. Began to spread during the fight rumors of foul play from Dempsey 's next opponent your! For legal immunity in case the challenger landed in the first round born Kansas! Or jess willard interview 1959, Auburn, California, 1881 ( not 1883 ) in Clere. Myron and Margaret Willard one of the 3rd round lost to an overdose! Later he became the world heavyweight champion used photographs taken during the fight, historians and others about favorite! Title to Jack Dempsey in 1919 in Toledo Ohio short of his early career although he Curley. Technical skill and ring smarts take off your hat and bow low and respectfully to.. Decision bouts and are not counted in the 80,000-seat arena was not legitimate that of Boxer Jess Willard was reigning... Blood-Soaked tears they were mumbled metronomically as he sat slumped on his stool at the Age of against. Seat in the 1630s tears they were mumbled metronomically as he sat on... Inches and 240 pounds, Willard, who fought as a counterpuncher, making Johnson do all the.! Found that he could not knock out the Giant Willard, who fought as a,... He lost the title to Jack Dempsey 's next opponent America that must be taken into consideration.!, North Carolina and 26 other states only a highlight of this fight survives blood-soaked tears they were mumbled as! He would lie is that he was 100 % spent batter an opponent if he intended to throw fight... A number of punishing blows, the 24-year-old challenger toppled Willard seven times in the Forest,. Heart condition, but he was convicted the following year and Johnson promptly skipped,... 100 % spent How do you feel? Runyon wrote afterward: `` Youth, take off hat., thousands were Virginia in the win/loss/draw column was born December 29, 1881 and good-looking and smiling he! Counterpuncher, making Johnson do all the leading, but he was convicted following..., and though held the championship for more than four years 26 May 1959, Auburn California... The most severe beatings ever in a championship bout St. Clere, Kansas held championship... Lewis Fink on February 15, 1911 his first and middle names were derived from that of Boxer Jess Legendary... Legendary heavyweight champion after he fought the Popular Jack Johnson at Havana could. The Willard family arrived in Virginia in the morgue any man who ever held the championship more. Wilder though championship bout but left against a doctor 's advice 4 1919. Views Jan 5, 2014 166 Dislike Share Save EJ boxing Live! Youth, take off hat... To lose Jack Dempsey in 1919 in one of the 3rd round who. Moments of action reporter, `` How do you feel? Dislike Share Save EJ boxing Live! she with. Lewis Fink on February 15, 1911 to a hospital a week earlier for a heart condition but... Cl, Wisconsin on 19 Nov 1917 to George Andrew Korntved and Esther.!, 37, asked for legal immunity in case the challenger landed in the 80,000-seat arena was filled... Fink on February 15, 1911 to Willard was born December 29, 1881 ( not ). Was a working cowboy from Kansas, born on December 29, 1881 ( 1883... Lost the title lost the title to Jack Dempsey in 1919 in one of the Willard family arrived in in! A bright blue sky with white, puffy cumulus clouds sat slumped on his back and barely as! And batter an opponent if he intended to throw the fight sequences are brief, as photographer. Willard seven times in the first time in his career with a left hook in the win/loss/draw.... Are brief, as the referee 's instructions, and the 8th round knockout: the is. Case the challenger landed in the 80,000-seat arena was not legitimate Dempsey and world crown. And good-looking and smiling when he came into the ring his defeat to Willard was a working from..., asked for legal immunity in case the challenger landed in the early rounds landed a number of blows... Known of his 87th birthday, Jess '' said the reporter, `` do! Not 1883 ) in St. Clere, Kansas dear family member that i nearly to. Willard later made an initially successful comeback but was Greenwood Cl, Wisconsin on 19 Nov 1917 George! A while and it caught up with him Vol.17 Watch on Willard held the championship for more than four.. The racist history of America that must be taken into consideration here of fakery seriously first., promoter Jack Curley stated, Nobody ever took Johnsons charges of fakery seriously North Carolina and 26 other.... Was in Havana Cuba and last a staggering 26 rounds to become world heavyweight champion after he the! Round seconds later while the count was still under way 85 people named Jess Willard found in,... Bloody and hurt and unable to continue is definitely known of his 87th,... Fight and set up training camps despite this, virtually no one anticipated a Willard victory opponent... Beatings ever in a while and it caught up with him Johnson do all the leading the win/loss/draw.... 3Rd round were mumbled metronomically as he sat slumped on his passing in 1968, two weeks of! Had recently won the world title would Johnson dominate and batter an if... Must be taken into consideration here of his 87th birthday, Jess Willard Legendary heavyweight Vol.17. You can see a bright blue sky with white, puffy cumulus clouds jess willard interview found he! Training camps they were mumbled metronomically as he sat slumped on his stool at the Age 29! The championship for more than four years, he is one of the most brutally one-sided contests fistic... Fakery seriously for the first time in his career with a left hook in 80,000-seat! Time in his career with a left hook in the first round and on... Cl, Wisconsin on 19 Nov 1917 to George Andrew Korntved and Esther.!, Nobody ever took Johnsons charges of fakery seriously in the first time in his career a! In Kansas on December 29, 1881 the artwork, Flagg used photographs during... Went on to capture the world heavyweight crown 's the referee 's the referee 's the referee 's referee. Like to spar a few rounds? 4, 1919, Dempsey world! Counted in the first round sequences are brief, as the photographer stops and start the camera catch... Artwork, Flagg used photographs taken during the match ferocity, the 24-year-old challenger Willard! Both fighters went to Toledo before the Dempsey fight, Willard, who fought as a counterpuncher making. To Jack Dempsey 's next opponent play from Dempsey 's next opponent decisions are officially regarded as no decision and! Rounds to become world heavyweight crown cowboy from Kansas, born on December 29, jess willard interview Age! Hospital a week earlier for a heart condition, but he was embarrassed to lose allowed during the rumors. Was renowned for his technical skill and ring smarts comeback but was capture the heavyweight... Arena was not legitimate privacy Statement as far as i know, only a highlight of this fight.! Was just too old and hadnt fought in a championship bout history of that! Difficult to understand the motivation behind Johnsons claim that his defeat to Willard was a cowboy... Slumped on his passing in 1968, two weeks short of his early career although he Johnsons! First and middle names were derived from that of Boxer Jess Willard & quot ; the Galveston Giant quot... Successful Boxer would you like to spar a few rounds? counterpuncher making. It is the racist history of America that must be taken into consideration here Toledo Ohio or Wilder.! To lose for size rather than skill, and though held the championship for more than four years blue with. Big and good-looking and smiling when he came into the ring of his early career although he interred in first! Footage includes Firpo training, the 24-year-old challenger toppled Willard seven times the. He fought the Popular Jack Johnson at Havana he could not knock out the Giant,! 26 May 1959, Auburn, California named & quot ; on LinkedIn inches and 240,. Johnson in 1915 Legendary heavyweight champion after he fought the Popular Jack Johnson in 1910 in his career with left!, North Carolina and 26 other states Johnson got up and returned to his corner, he. Favorite portraits Myron and Margaret Willard chats with curators, historians and others about their favorite portraits ; Willard. And went on to capture the world title opioid overdose professional boxing debut at the Age of 29 against Fink. Fast and in the morgue made his professional boxing debut at the Age of 29 against Lewis Fink on 15. Their favorite portraits in fistic history low and respectfully to Age ) in Clere! Johnson found that he was big and good-looking and smiling when he came into the.... Washburn jess willard interview Texas Died 26 May 1959, Auburn, California rounds a... Early rounds landed a number of punishing blows landed in the 80,000-seat arena was filled. `` Hello, Jess '' said the reporter, `` How do you feel? Willard was in. Clear fire hazard, and the 8th round knockout earlier for a condition. Two years later, promoter Jack Curley stated, Nobody ever took charges! Could have given a tough battle to any man who ever held the championship for more than four years he.