#jess willard

[rockincountryblues]

Jess Willard

[oldschoolwrestlers]

1923: (Left to right) Former World Heavyweight wrestling champion Stanislaus Zbyszko, former World Heavyweight boxing champion Jess Willard, and current World Heavyweight wrestling champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis (who had beaten Zbyszko for the title).

[interpretingtexas]

This Week in Texas History

July 4th, 1910 Jack Johnson Defeats James Jeffries to Become the First Undisputed African American Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World

James Jeffries (left) and Jack Johnson (right) during the “Fight of the Century,” 1910 [source]

Jack Johnson was born Arthur John in Galveston, Texas in 1878. He dropped out of school after the fifth grade to help support his family with odd jobs, including sparring. He became a professional prizefighter in 1897. After he was jailed for boxing in 1901 (which was illegal in Texas), he left Galveston for good. In 1903, he won the Negro Heavyweight title, but the white heavyweight champion, James Jeffries, refused to fight him. Despite Johnson's taunting, Jeffries would retire in 1905, undefeated and without facing Johnson. Jeffries successor, Tommy Burns, did face Johnson in 1908. Johnson won and claimed the title of Heavyweight Champion. However, many whites objected to the title, claiming that since Jeffries had retired undefeated, Burns was not the true Champion. Eventually, Jeffries was badgered out of retirement as the "great white hope" to defeat Johnson.

On July 4th, 1910, the two men faced off in Reno, Nevada, in a stadium specially built for the "Fight of the Century." Tensions were running high and, for public safety, guns were not allowed inside the stadium, nor was alcohol served. The fight lasted 15 punishing rounds before Jeffries threw in the towel, finally giving Johnson the undisputed claim to the title of Heavyweight Boxing Champion. After the fight, riots broke out in 50 cities across the US. Blacks were overjoyed at Johnson's win, while whites were humiliated and furious. Twenty people were killed, with hundreds more injured.

Johnson held on to the title until 1915, when he lost to Jess Willard. Jack Johnson remained a celebrated - and controversial - figure until his death in 1946.

[mindsetmoviereviews]

[hussard-des-caves]

The only worthwhile event on the 4th of July.

[detroitlib]

Happy Birthday William Harrison “Jack” Dempsey!

AKA the “Manassa Mauler”

June 24, 1895 - May 31, 1983

1.  Portrait of boxer Jack Dempsey, autographed for actor Brace Beemer. Handwritten on front: "To Brace Beemer. Best always from your pal Jack Dempsey, 3/8/40." Handwritten on back: "Beemer, Brace, 1903-1965." 

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

2.  View of boxing match between Jack Dempsey and Jess Willard; spectators in background. Printed on front: "Jack Dempsey knocks out Jess Willard, Toledo, O., July 4, 1919 and becomes champion of the world. James Montgomery Flagg." Printed on back: "May I play host and say 'hello' to you in my restaurant where food and friendliness are knockouts. On Broadway bet. 49th & 50th Sts., New York City. A Colourpicture publication, Boston 15, Mass., New York office, 489 Fifth Avenue." Also printed on back is facsimile signature of Jack Dempsey.

Courtesy of the Ernie Harwell Sports Collection, Detroit Public Library

[secretdiatribe91]

[makai-knight-ryuga]

Jess Willard - I'm Still Standing Since it's still Throwback Thursday in my country, let me share with you an important song to me. I was listening to this while recovering from a knee injury I got around July 2012. I actually watched 'Undisputed 3' while recovering, and the movie, and this song, gave me enough strength for a quick recovery.