In a division where the bigger man rules for once the smaller man ruled. This was the most brutal heavyweight championship title fights ever. Seven knock downs in the first round. By the end of the fight the floor was covered with blood, sweat, tears, and teeth. On this day two men fought until there was no fight left. One was the victor the other was a loser and the carnage ended with his corner stopping the fight.
Their names were Jack Dempsey and the champions was Jess Willard. Willard was a bruising man. His claim to fame before this fight was his match against Jack Johnson on April 5, 1915. On this date Jess Willard defeated a game Jack Johnson to win the heavyweight championship of the world. Jess was 6 foot 6 inches and weighed around 250 pounds. He remained the the title holder of the belt until his fateful match against Jack Dempsey on July 4, 1919 in Toledo, Ohio.
Jack Dempsey was one tough son of a bitch. In order to be a star in boxing you had to be back then. Cause during these times. The were no neutral corner retreats after a knock down nor were decisions given out. You either knocked your opponent out or you got a no decision or a draw. And he didn’t see that happen much with a record of 66-6-11 (51 KO).
When these to titans met it was a huge event. Even though Dempsey had a great reputation as a fighter. He was giving up 87 pounds up against the much bigger champion. That was an impossible task for most the met Jess and seemed like it was going to hold true for Jack too. The favorite going into the fight was Willard.
However as the 122 degree heat beat down on the two men and Jack Dempsey putting a wager that he was going to win in the first round the excitement was boiling over. Sit back and enjoy this great fight which featured 7 knock downs in the first round.
Their names were Jack Dempsey and the champions was Jess Willard. Willard was a bruising man. His claim to fame before this fight was his match against Jack Johnson on April 5, 1915. On this date Jess Willard defeated a game Jack Johnson to win the heavyweight championship of the world. Jess was 6 foot 6 inches and weighed around 250 pounds. He remained the the title holder of the belt until his fateful match against Jack Dempsey on July 4, 1919 in Toledo, Ohio.
Jack Dempsey was one tough son of a bitch. In order to be a star in boxing you had to be back then. Cause during these times. The were no neutral corner retreats after a knock down nor were decisions given out. You either knocked your opponent out or you got a no decision or a draw. And he didn’t see that happen much with a record of 66-6-11 (51 KO).
When these to titans met it was a huge event. Even though Dempsey had a great reputation as a fighter. He was giving up 87 pounds up against the much bigger champion. That was an impossible task for most the met Jess and seemed like it was going to hold true for Jack too. The favorite going into the fight was Willard.
However as the 122 degree heat beat down on the two men and Jack Dempsey putting a wager that he was going to win in the first round the excitement was boiling over. Sit back and enjoy this great fight which featured 7 knock downs in the first round.
