Description

Book Synopsis

Jess Willard, the Pottawatomie Giant, won the heavyweight title in 1915 with his defeat of Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion. At 6 feet, 6 inches and 240 pounds, Willard was considered unbeatable in his day. He nonetheless lost to Jack Dempsey in 1919 in one of the most brutally one-sided contests in fistic history. Willard later made an initially successful comeback but was defeated by Luis Firpo in 1923 and retired from the ring. He died in 1968, largely forgotten by the boxing public. Featuring photographs from the Willard family archives, this first full-length biography provides a detailed portrait of one of America''s boxing greats.

Jess Willard

    Product form

    £23.74

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £24.99 – you save £1.25 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Wed 17 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback by Arly Allen

    Out of stock


      View other formats and editions of Jess Willard by Arly Allen

      Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc
      Publication Date: 1/30/2016 12:12:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9781476664446, 978-1476664446
      ISBN10: 1476664447

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Jess Willard, the Pottawatomie Giant, won the heavyweight title in 1915 with his defeat of Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion. At 6 feet, 6 inches and 240 pounds, Willard was considered unbeatable in his day. He nonetheless lost to Jack Dempsey in 1919 in one of the most brutally one-sided contests in fistic history. Willard later made an initially successful comeback but was defeated by Luis Firpo in 1923 and retired from the ring. He died in 1968, largely forgotten by the boxing public. Featuring photographs from the Willard family archives, this first full-length biography provides a detailed portrait of one of America''s boxing greats.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account