WILLARD, JESS

born Dec. 29, 1881, Pottawatomie County, Kan., U.S. died Dec. 15, 1968, Los Angeles U.S. prizefighter, world heavyweight boxing champion from April 5, 1915, when he knocked out Jack Johnson in 26 rounds in Havana, to July 4, 1919, when he was knocked out by Jack Dempsey in three rounds in Toledo, Ohio. A wheat farmer in Kansas, Willard, at a comparatively advanced age, entered professional boxing in the White Hope era, when promoters were seeking white contenders for the title held by Johnson, a black who was the focus of much racial animosity. At 6 feet 6 1/4 inches, Willard was the tallest man to win the heavyweight championship. Willard was not an active champion, defending the title successfully against Frank Moran (another leading White Hope) in 1916, and subsequently fighting only a few exhibition matches until his bout with Dempsey. Aged 37, and not well trained, he was an easy mark for Dempsey's furious attack. In 1923, at the age of 41, Willard returned to the ring. He scored one knockout and then fought well against the powerful Luis Angel Firpo before being knocked out in the eighth round. From 1911 to 1923 Willard had 36 bouts, winning 24, 20 by knockouts.