Tyson Fury & Jess Willard

[sleazyfellow]

Don't think Willard would translate well into the modern age. Hands down, face open to be hit at will. The jump from the early 1900 fighters to Joe Louis Era of fighters is a bigger leap than Louis's Era to Alis. Willard struggled with an older out of shape Johnson and it took 25 rounds. Fury would embarrass him.

[The Old LefHook]

Not sold on Fury just because he has beaten a few of today's top galoots. We already knew they were scrubs.

[billeau2]

Not sold on Fury just because he has beaten a few of today's top galoots. We already knew they were scrubs.

I like Fury as a talent... But I agree with Lefty's sentiments. I will say this about Fury, he uses his size to his advantage, but does not depend on it. He doesn't necessarily have to get into a grapple with Willard.

The problem is something i think I will name the "Martian problem" after Bradbury's Martian Chronicles. The Martians and the Earthlings are not able to really see, or hear each other... and Willard fought in a style that is totally different, makes different assumptions about combat, technique, etc... so we have essentially two big men coming from two different traditions.

Willard would not want to be anywhere within 3 feet of Fury, or he would want to be inside. Fury would want Willard to be in front of him. Willard, as was the way, would be on his back leg until he made a spirited attack, while fury would have a choice... So who knows?

[QueensburyRules]

Don't think Willard would translate well into the modern age. Hands down, face open to be hit at will. The jump from the early 1900 fighters to Joe Louis Era of fighters is a bigger leap than Louis's Era to Alis. Willard struggled with an older out of shape Johnson and it took 25 rounds. Fury would embarrass him.

- -Fury couldn't handle an outdoor arena 40 round fight in Havana vs JJohnson like Willard did if we use the same out of context logic that you have belabored yourself with.

Time to study up son. Just because your Toyota Corolla has A/C and faster than what Barney Oldfield drove when he raced Jack Johnson and whooped him badly don't make you a better driver than Barney. Jack found that out the hard way.

[The Old LefHook]

Time to agree with Queensbree once. He accidentally got one right.

Fury, I staunchly believe, could not fight fifteen rounds in the Ohio sun on Fourth of July, or the blazing sun of Havana, either. Old time conditions would be the boxing bane of him. He does just fine in air conditioned arenas. He has had a mere thirty-one fights and most of the opponents were third or fourth or fifth tier, in any AT sense.

Neither do I believe that Fury's body is made for the long haul of a career. Big boys fade fast as well as die early. He may have a few fights left in him. There is no one for him to beat that would prove he is an ATG. Joshua is now a proven scrub who will be tied up in rematches for his foreseeable future.

I admit Fury is pretty good. I don't know how good. What I am sure of is that Clay wipes him out. Marciano would, too, unless he got cut badly, which is a distinct possibility with paper mache skin.

[Willie Pep 229]

Just as much as I complain that the old timers' greatness should not be evaluated by today's standards nor should Fury be judged by the standards of the past.

He has proven himself a champion and that should be respected.

He needs to beat a few more top ranked HWs and we can start to think a about the ATG label. Not yet.

Still some proving needs to be done, but so far he has shown grit and power. He now needs to show he can handle a top shelf technician.

[JAB5239]

Just as much as I complain that the old timers' greatness should not be evaluated by today's standards nor should Fury be judged by the standards of the past.

He has proven himself a champion and that should be respected.

He needs to beat a few more top ranked HWs and we can start to think a about the ATG label. Not yet.

Still some proving needs to be done, but so far he has shown grit and power. He now needs to show he can handle a top shelf technician.

Bring on Usyk!

[travestyny]

If anyone believes Jack Johnson would be remotely competitive against Fury, then they can't count out Willard. Tough to say how Willard would fair against a larger opponent since he was usually the bigger man. I would have to favor Fury if I were betting money on it.

Over how many rounds? I'm pretty sure Willard didn't win any of the first 12 rounds of the fight with Johnson. He may have won a round out of the first 15.

[ShoulderRoll]

Jess Willard was horrible.

Tyson Fury would outbox him with ease or knock him out just like he did with Wilder. It would be up to the Gypsy King's whim on that particular day.

[GhostofDempsey]

Over how many rounds? I'm pretty sure Willard didn't win any of the first 12 rounds of the fight with Johnson. He may have won a round out of the first 15.

Maybe that raises the question as to whether or not fighters would have fought any differently knowing they only had 12 rounds to win? All hypothetical.