105 years ago

Date: 4th July 1919

Title: World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: Tex Rickard

Tv: Cinematic Film

Jess Willard
( 24 - 5 - 2 )
Weight: 245 lbs

Jack Dempsey
( 51 - 4 - 9 )
Weight: 187 lbs

On the 4th of July, 1919, in a sweltering Bay View Park Arena in Toledo, Ohio, the World Heavyweight Title was contested between champion Jess Willard and challenger Jack Dempsey. Despite the arena's significant seating capacity, only 19,500 spectators managed to witness the spectacle, due in part to the ringside temperature of 110 degrees. The disparity in their weights was staggering - Willard tipped the scales at 245 lbs, dwarfing Dempsey's 187 lbs, a fact that seemed to solidify Willard's status as a 6 to 5 favorite.

Notwithstanding the pre-fight odds, the bout commenced in a storm of violence. Dempsey, hailing from Salt Lake City, Utah, and with a record of 51-4-9, unleashed a torrent of punishment on Willard, flooring the champion seven times in the opening round. This bout would have ended swiftly, with the referee Ollie Pecord counting out the defending champion Willard, if not for the immense noise from the crowd. The blaring whistle signaling the round's conclusion went unheard, leading to confusion that saw Dempsey briefly declared the winner and departing for his dressing room before being recalled to continue the fight.

Willard, from Pottawatomie, Kansas, and carrying a record of 24-5-2, rallied his stamina to stay upright during the second and third rounds. However, it was evident that the champion was continuing to absorb a merciless barrage from Dempsey. The champion's resilience saw him remaining on his feet, yet he was hardly capable of mounting any significant counter-offensive.

The cumulative damage finally took its toll on Willard. His corner deemed it necessary to intervene for the champion's safety, halting the bout after the third round. This ending deprived Dempsey's manager, Jack Kearns of seeing his wager of a first-round knockout win materialize, however, his charge, Jack Dempsey was the new World Heavyweight Champion.

Despite the less-than-capacity crowd, the event still amassed gate receipts totalling $452,224, providing the city of Toledo with earnings of $28,751.25. The promoter Tex Rickard, who also donned the hat of a judge for the fight, walked away with a considerable profit of $85,732. The fighters, too, had their share of the lucrative pot with Willard earning a purse of $100,000 and Dempsey $27,500.