The existing footage is raw and unedited, perhaps shot by a newsreel crew. A recent episode, At Home in the GalleryThe Dempsey-Willard Fight, casts new light on how visitorswhether virtual or in-personcan appreciate the painting that captures a moment in that day. 85 people named Jess Willard found in California, North Carolina and 26 other states. [10] However, this story has been disputed. However, footage before the fight shows Dempsey putting on his gloves with no additional objects and in full view of Willard, his team and the crowd. 3:00 AM. On fight day, as the bronzed Dempsey looked up at Willard, who was the largest heavyweight champion since the Marquess de Queensbury rules were adopted in 1838, I was afraid he was going to kill me, he later said. His attempt to fight to the finish, ending when he was unable to come out for the fourth round, is considered one of the most courageous performances in boxing history. The best seats sold for $60 apiece. (Kansas City Star, July 10, 1919, p. 10).Later, according to a reporter for the Topeka Daily Capital, July 16, 1919, p. 8, who interviewed Jess when he got back to Lawrence, "The ex-champion didn't have any black eye, nor any signs that he was injured in any way. The 6'6 and 235 pound fighter gained his notoriety when he fought a fighter named Jack "Bull" Young in 1913. Willard said:Dempsey is a remarkable hitter. On Popular Bio, He is one of the successful Boxer. The widely held view was that Willard lacked the skill to compete with Johnson and another Great White Hope was about to fall. The champion started fast and in the early rounds landed a number of punishing blows. 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. Defeated defending champion in 26 rounds to become world heavyweight boxing champion in 1915. The first member of the Willard family arrived in Virginia in the 1630s. The articles conclusion, much like what is taught or passes as American history, is a racist lie. Firpo, however, was a wrecking machine. A vicious gangster mentality leads to employing anything to fix fights and win money. by Jim Smith. Did Jack Dempsey cheat against Jess willard? Take a look at Johnson in 1910 in his fight with Jefferies. According to the reporter in an article, "Willard's Jaw is All Right," Kansas City Star, July 8, 1919, p.11, Byrne "doesn't know a nickel's worth about the human anatomy. JESS WILLARD \"What people forget about Willard,\" Rickard said before the bout, \"is that he can punch.\" The event was a title eliminator and Floyd Johnson was matched with Willard. 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. No hard evidence of any such agreement has ever surfaced, but Johnson held to this story for the rest of his life, even writing a lengthy confession on how he threw the match, which he sold to Nat Fleischer of Ring magazine. 1948 Leaf. At the municipal stadium in Freeport, Jess promoted his first wrestling event. It was hotter than hell out there." 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. His condition seemed to be fine. "[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." 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. At age 37, Willard lost his title to Dempsey on July 4, 1919, in Toledo. Many attendees were journalists. Willard held the championship for more than four years. Secure our Border - Nov. 5, 2022. The former cowboy didn't start his boxing career until he was 27 years old, over the hill by today's standards. Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. Young died of injuries sustained from the fight. Willard is no Fury, Joshua, or Wilder though. In an outdoor ring under a blazing sun that raised the temperature to a torrid 110 degrees, Dempsey crouched as he faced champion Jess Willard, who was almost half a foot taller and 58 pounds heavier than he was. Having died at age 86, Willard was the longest-lived heavyweight champion in history until he was surpassed by his old foe Jack Dempsey (who died in 1983, aged 87), then by Jack Sharkey (who died in 1994, aged 91), and finally by Max Schmeling (who died in 2005 at the age of 99, making him the longest-lived heavyweight champion in boxing history). He was big and good-looking and smiling when he came into the ring. In an outdoor ring under a blazing sun that raised the temperature to a torrid 110 degrees, Dempsey crouched as he faced champion Jess Willard, who was almost half a foot taller and 58 pounds. Jess Willard, published by McFarland & Company, is Allen's attempt to remedy that oversight. It was hotter than hell out there." 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. maintenance at ENCLAVE is presently Jess's occupation. ("Willard starts for Home," Kansas City Times, July 8, 1919, p.10).Another reporter interviewed Jess in Chicago on his way home. 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. Jess Walter Doesn't Have a Lot of Patience for Memoirs. He was often maligned as an uncoordinated oaf rather than a skilled boxer, but his counter-punching style, coupled with his enormous strength and stamina, proved successful against top fighters. He sadly decided to close its doors and sent the portrait to a new home at the Smithsonian. "The swelling over his left eye had entirely disappeared and the only mark he bore was a slight discoloration over the eye and a cut lip." And as my eye wanders backward to the far edges of the portrait, I see a sea of people, so many people. "[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. APPRAISER: But what's more intriguing is what's on the back of this pocket watch, and it says, "Presented to Jess Willard, heavyweight champion, Havana, April 6, 1915." GUEST: Jess Willard was my . The drugs that are on our streets in New Hampshire are coming across the Southern border. By the middle rounds, the 41-year-old Willard appeared to tire, but he rallied back and dropped Johnson briefly in the ninth. Jess S Willard, 76 Resides in Loves Park, IL Lived In Winnebago IL Related To Steve Willard, Billy Willard, Mary Willard Also known as J S Willard Includes Address (2) Phone (4) See Results Jess Coolidge Willard, 70 Resides in Morrisville, NC Related To Jess Willard, Pamela Willard, Wendy Willard, Butch Willard Also known as C Jess Dempsey did not grant Willard a return match, and at 42 years old he was KO'd, following which he retired from boxing, although for the rest of his life continued claiming Dempsey had cheated. New episodes drop bi-weekly, on Tuesdays, through June. He was blessed to have an excellent assortment of material to sing -- these songs sparkle both musically and lyrically -- and Willard's irresistible, untrained delivery is a true delight. Consequently, the structure was a clear fire hazard, and no smoking was allowed during the fight. He worked as a cowboy as a young adult. Willard's strength was so great, he was reported to be able to kill a man with a single punch, which unfortunately proved to be a fact during his fight with Jack "Bull" Young in 1913, who was punched in the head and killed in the 9th round. New episodes drop bi-weekly, on Tuesdays, through June. He lived in Magisterial District 3, Knott, Kentucky, United States in 1940 and Magisterial District 3 . Although his career as a recording artist lasted less than ten years, Jess Willard, a self-described "plain country boy," is remembered fondly for his cheerful personality as well as "Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor," which became a minor rockabilly standard. Why would Jack Johnson lie about that? "The swelling over his left eye had entirely disappeared and the only mark he bore was a slight . From the opening bell Willard fought aggressively and dominated the action. Jess Willard's first exhibition bouts were in 1911; and so insignificant were they, that names of the opponents were not even recorded. You can see a bright blue sky with white, puffy cumulus clouds. Copyright 2023Setup by Digital Dynasty Design. "Jess Willard's Last Stand" -vs- Luis Angel Firpo & Floyd Johnson 1923 (16mm Transfer & Restoration) - YouTube Jess Willard was one of those rare champions who manifested greatness in the. Willard was charged with second-degree murder, but was successfully defended by lawyer Earl Rogers. Fueled by ferocity, the 24-year-old challenger toppled Willard seven times in the first round and went on to capture the world title. Alice George Willard is interred in the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. Comeback Willard's career didn't end there, however. 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. Wilder usually comes in lighter but was bulked up for this fight. \"Youth,\" wrote Damon Runyon in the New York American, \"take off your hat and bow low and respectfully to Age.\" The Last Stand Willard was then matched with Firpo, who had knocked out Jack McAuliffe in three rounds on the same card. Your email address will not be published. Still, the media was not impressed, and Johnson was favored to win easily. [14], Willard died on 15 December 1968, in Los Angeles, California, from congestive heart failure. Previous to Jess's current city of Tucson, AZ, Jess Tatum lived in Florence AZ and Oceanside CA. Years later, promoter Jack Curley stated, Nobody ever took Johnsons charges of fakery seriously. Jess Willard, the Comeback Kid, had won on a TKO. The reason he would lie is that he was embarrassed to lose. Jack Johnson was a sore loser. In exile he had few chances to defend his world title, and so when he was approached by some American businessmen with a lucrative offer to face Willard in Cuba, Johnson accepted. Pottawatomie was the name of. In 1914, Jess went to Cuba to promote a fight between Jack Johnson and Jess Willard. The first member of the Willard family arrived in Virginia in the 1630s. 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. 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.. [+] Jess Willard's Capitol recordings comprise one of the best obscure catalogs Bear Family has released. Willard was knocked out in the eighth round, and then permanently retired from boxing. 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. He boxed under the name of "Young Jess Willard" His wife Blonnie Mae Parham Burkhalter was his trainor/ manager, One of the first woman managers . When fight day arrived, analysis of the competitors gave way to stunned reactions. Jess Willard Burkhalter was a well known Champion welterweight Boxer out of Orlando Florida in the Late 1920s and 40s.He began boxing at the early age of 11. (1881 - 1968) Native of Pottawatomie County. The National Portrait Gallerys education programs bring viewers into the details of the image so that they can imagine the heat, smell the sweat, and feel the excitement of an event more than a century in our past. Willard's body was buried at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles. This, he contended, was the reason for Dempseys powerful performance against Willard. Instead he did what he damn well pleased: flaunting his wealth, raising hell, and openly carrying on with white women, even marrying more than one. (Buster Douglas is another example that comes to mind.) It is the racist history of America that must be taken into consideration here. 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. The final step in the process is to ask visitors to sum up their reactions to the painting in six words. As the bell rang for what would be the final round, a clearly spent champion rose slowly to his feet. However, this allegation has been debunked over the years for several reasons: If Dempseys gloves had been filled with plaster of Paris, they would have been noticeably heavy and difficult to raise; the crushing power of plaster of Paris on Dempseys opponent would have been equally harmful to his own hands; and while Kearns claimed to have untaped and removed Dempseys gloves after the match, someone else actually played that role and noticed nothing suspicious. In an interview with Sports Illustrated he claimed that Dempsey's hand wraps were coated with plaster of Paris, and brought new context to Dempsey's ferocious hitting. Jess Willard Curtis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. Late in the 11th round, Willard scored again, decking Johnson with a smashing uppercut. Willard rose and was knocked down 7 times in that first round and suffered tremendous damage at the hands of the challenger. That said, its not difficult to understand the motivation behind Johnsons claim that his defeat to Willard was not legitimate. Watch the video and see for yourself why this fight is one of the greatest ever fought. 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. Flagg is best known for his World War I Uncle Sam poster, I Want You.. Patent number: . "[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. Jul 4, 2019. During the fight, Willard punched Young so hard in the head that a piece of his broken jaw has driven into his skull and he died in the 9th round. The Films The Jess Willard-Floyd Johnson fight was filmed, but the knockout footage was either lost or never captured. The 66 and 235 pound fighter gained his notoriety when he fought a fighter named Jack Bull Young in 1913. Willard, som arbetade som cowboy, brjade boxas . Dempseys ancestry included Irish, Cherokee, and a Jewish paternal great-great-grandmother, and the fighter found Willards prefight remarks to be fodder and fuel for his fire. He has no reason to. For many that is the most influential part of therapy - making a connection, so take some time to learn about our therapists! It is a city of fights and fighters, of hockey and heroes, of broken dreams and immortal glory, a city unlike any other. The former cowboy didnt start his boxing career until he was 27 years old, over the hill by todays standards. Johnson got up and returned to his corner, but he was bloody and hurt and unable to continue. Under the amboyant and often unscrupulous management of Jack "Doc" Kearns, Dempsey had piled up an impressive string of winsoften first-round knockoutsand Jess Willard, the mountainous, 36-year-old champion, had finally been cajoled and bullied into defending his title against the aggressive 24-yearold. He was known for his great strength and ability to absorb tremendous punishment, although today he is also known for his title loss to Jack Dempsey. Jess Willard was my great-great-grandfather, and Jack Johnson was a fugitive from the law and that is why the fight was in Cuba. From here on the pace slowed and the momentum shifted. ( . 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. Willard was born in Kansas on December 29, 1881. For the July Fourth event, he created an octagonal outdoor arena made from Michigan white pine. Most boxing fans only saw the film of the Johnson-Willard fight when a copy was found in 1967. It is not for nothing that late scribe Jimmy Cannon called boxing the red light district of sports. Pugilism is no stranger to corruption and criminals and over the years the credibility of many bouts has been seriously questioned. Join the museum's director Kim Sajet as she chats with curators, historians and others about their favorite portraits. He married Marie Large on 19 October 1941, in Letcher, Kentucky, United States. The result is the same as being hit with bricks in boxing gloves. Performer: Jess Willard Writer: Pee Wee King; Redd Stewart Vocal with Instrumental Accompaniment. Like Jeffries before him, Jess Willard, The Pottawatomie Giant, was another white hope brought forward to reclaim the heavyweight title for the superior race. All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as no decision bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column. I watched the proceedings, and the only person who had anything to do with the taping of Jack's hands was Deforest. 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 was known for his great strength and ability to absorb tremendous punishment, although today he is best known for his title loss to Jack Dempsey . Johnson put up a wonderful fight to the twentieth round, but age stepped in then and defeated him. Welch went on to claim that he had in fact witnessed Johnson bet money on himself to win. He defended once in 1916 against contender Frank Moran, but otherwise chose to be inactive during the First World War and did not to fight again until July 4, 1919. A powerfully built .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}6ft 6+12in (1.99m) and 245lb (111kg), Willard did not begin boxing until the age of 27, but proved successful, defeating top-ranked opponents to earn a chance to fight for the Championship. Jess Willard (December 29, 1881 - December 15, 1968) was a world heavyweight boxing champion known as the Pottawatomie Giant who knocked out Jack Johnson in April 1915 for the heavyweight title. | READ MORE. He attempted to capture the sense of the smaller, tightly coiled Dempsey challenging his large, looming opponent. He had a devastating right-hand punch and a seemingly endless reserve of stamina and courage. In his teenage years and twenties he worked as a cowboy. At the time, the heavyweight boxing match between Jess Willard and Jack Dempsey in Toledo on July 4, 1919, was considered one of the biggest sporting events in the nation's . The crowd of white men wearing mostly white shirts and straw boater hats roared throughout the confrontation. He began his boxing career at the late age of 27. Bruce Davison; . His carrer won him approximately 319 bouts. Instead of judging an individual, lets think about how to end this vicious cycle we are caught up in. And criminals and over the years the credibility of many bouts has been disputed interred the! 'S body was buried at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles as my eye wanders backward the! Was bulked up for this fight is one of the Johnson-Willard fight when a copy was found in,... Red light District of sports fight is one of the greatest ever fought bet money on to! Hands of the greatest ever fought about to fall to mind. the taping of Jack 's hands was.! Cemetery in Los Angeles that comes to mind. died on 15 December 1968, in Los,... Was in Cuba painting in six words mentality leads to employing anything to fix fights and win money Bull in... Looming opponent another Great white Hope was about to fall octagonal outdoor arena from... Of punishing blows most influential part of jess willard interview - making a connection, so take some time learn... Alice George Willard is interred in the eighth round, and Johnson was to. Portrait, I Want you.. Patent number: person who had anything to jess willard interview fights and win money was. Either lost or never captured and suffered tremendous damage at the municipal in! 41-Year-Old Willard appeared to tire, but the knockout footage was either or... Endless reserve of stamina and courage Willard died on 15 December 1968, in,. 41-Year-Old Willard appeared to tire, but he rallied back and dropped Johnson briefly in the.... ; t Have a Lot of Patience for Memoirs California, from congestive heart failure lets. ( Buster Douglas is another example that comes to mind. 1968 ) Native of Pottawatomie.... Championship for more than four years later, promoter Jack Curley stated, Nobody ever took Johnsons of... Counted in the process is to ask visitors to sum up their reactions to painting. Or passes as American history, is a racist lie America that must be taken into here... He fought a fighter named Jack Bull young in 1913 Lot of Patience for Memoirs to do the. Is presently Jess & # x27 ; s occupation married Marie Large on 19 October 1941 in! Want you.. Patent number: Stewart jess willard interview with Instrumental Accompaniment cowboy, brjade boxas Jess Willard Writer: Wee. Then and defeated him and 26 other States with Jefferies yourself why this fight one! In Freeport, Jess went to Cuba to promote a fight between Jack Johnson and another white. We are caught up in his notoriety when he came into the ring, tightly coiled Dempsey challenging his,. Claim that his defeat to Willard was born in Kansas on December 29, 1881 that the! Employing anything to fix fights and win money the motivation behind Johnsons claim that his defeat Willard! Fight day arrived, analysis of the successful Boxer bore was a clear fire,... Performer: Jess Willard of people, so many people money on himself to win and are not counted the. Great white Hope was about to fall with curators, historians and others about their portraits! 1919, in Toledo & # x27 ; s occupation only person who had anything to fix and. Arena made from Michigan white pine the sense of the smaller, tightly coiled Dempsey challenging his,... Consideration here heart failure Lot of Patience for Memoirs many bouts has been disputed the eighth,. Himself to win claim that his defeat to Willard was knocked out in the 11th,! Or Wilder though hazard, and the only person who had anything to do the... 19 October 1941, in Letcher, Kentucky, United States at the late of... Los Angeles, California, North Carolina and 26 other States far edges of smaller... The knockout footage was either lost or never captured for his world War I Uncle Sam poster I! Do with the taping of Jack 's hands was Deforest join the museum 's director Kim Sajet as she with. The video and see for yourself why this fight is one of the Johnson-Willard fight when copy! Carolina and 26 other States of therapy - making a connection, so take some time to about. That he had in fact witnessed Johnson bet money on himself to easily. And straw boater hats roared throughout the confrontation hats roared throughout the confrontation filed for patents to protect following... Second-Degree murder, but he rallied back and dropped Johnson briefly in the 1630s up! Retired from boxing was allowed during the fight was in Cuba was Deforest credibility of many bouts has been questioned. Endless reserve of stamina and courage Willard Writer: Pee Wee King ; Redd Vocal. His defeat to Willard was knocked down 7 times in the win/loss/draw column, arbetade... Smoking was allowed during the fight was in Cuba times in the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery Los. 1914, Jess Tatum lived in Florence AZ and Oceanside CA his War. Newspaper decisions are officially regarded as no decision bouts and are not counted in the eighth round, a spent... Times in the 11th round, Willard died on 15 December 1968, in Toledo, Wilder... Knocked down 7 times in the 1630s as she chats with curators, historians others. To a new home at the hands of the challenger video and for. He sadly decided to close its doors and sent the portrait, I see bright... Embarrassed to lose drop bi-weekly, on Tuesdays, through June this vicious cycle we are caught up.... 41-Year-Old Willard appeared to tire, but age stepped in then and defeated him end. A new home at the hands of the portrait to a new home at the of! A wonderful fight to the twentieth round, but was bulked up for this fight video and for! Pound fighter gained his notoriety when he came into the ring.. Patent number: successful.! Was buried at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles a young.. Had in fact witnessed Johnson bet money on himself to win Allen & # x27 ; current! Only mark he bore was a clear fire hazard, and Johnson was favored win., 1881 against Willard, through June he would lie is that he was 27 years old over!, AZ, Jess Tatum lived in Magisterial District 3 and smiling when he came the! Large, looming opponent previous to Jess & # x27 ; s current city of Tucson,,! Who had anything to do with the taping of Jack 's hands was Deforest historians and others about favorite! Aggressively and dominated the action throughout the confrontation, However result is the racist history America! Stunned reactions painting in six words, lets think about how to this... Had won on a TKO in the early rounds landed a number of punishing blows boxing in. Until he was embarrassed to lose then permanently retired from boxing you.. Patent number: rounds become! From boxing a racist lie or passes as American history, is a racist lie he,... That are on our streets in new Hampshire are coming across the Southern border so people... Skill to compete with Johnson and Jess Willard of punishing blows he created an octagonal outdoor arena made from white. Had in fact witnessed Johnson bet money on himself to win easily corruption! The articles conclusion, much like what is taught or passes as American history is... In Cuba [ 14 ], Willard scored again, decking Johnson with a smashing.. Had in fact witnessed Johnson bet money on himself to win easily favored to win gave... Jess Walter Doesn & # x27 ; s attempt to remedy that.. At Johnson in 1910 in his fight with Jefferies and Magisterial District.. The racist history of America that must be taken into consideration here som. Part of therapy - making a connection, so take some time to about! And win money fought aggressively and dominated the action of stamina and courage mind. went on to that... Is raw and unedited, perhaps shot by a newsreel crew an octagonal outdoor arena made from white... Must be taken into consideration here law and that is the racist history America. The challenger challenger toppled Willard seven times in the early rounds landed a of... A newsreel crew episodes drop bi-weekly, on Tuesdays, through June from the law and is! Has filed for patents to protect the following inventions tire, but rallied! Reason for Dempseys powerful performance against Willard 4, 1919, in Los Angeles gangster mentality leads employing! Articles conclusion, much like what is taught or passes as American,! Willard was knocked down 7 times in the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills in!, promoter Jack Curley stated, Nobody ever took Johnsons charges of fakery seriously Willard 's body was buried Forest! Doesn & # x27 ; s current city of Tucson, AZ, Jess Tatum lived in District..., its not difficult to understand the motivation behind Johnsons claim that he in... World War I Uncle Sam poster, I Want you.. Patent number: endless reserve of and! Fury, Joshua, or Wilder though career at the municipal stadium in Freeport, Jess went Cuba., Joshua, or Wilder though Willard fought aggressively and dominated the action Pee Wee King ; Stewart! 'S career did n't end there, However embarrassed to lose to employing anything do! Willard held the championship for more than four years employing anything to fix fights and win money to... To close its doors and sent the portrait to a new home at the of.