Boxing History: April 5, 1915 Jess Willard KO 26 Jack Johnson
Wins World Heavyweight Title.
The longest heavyweight title fight of the 20th Century.
On April 5, 1915 in front of a huge crowd at the new Oriental Park Racetrack in Havana, Cuba, in the 26th round he knocked out champion Jack Johnson to win the world heavyweight boxing championship.
Johnson later claimed to have intentionally lost the fight, but Willard is widely regarded as winning fairly which is evident from the recorded footage, the comments Johnson made to his cornermen between rounds and that he bet $2500 on himself to win. Willard said, “If he was going to throw the fight, I wish he’d done it sooner. It was hotter than hell out there.” Johnson didn’t followup on his claim after footage of the fight was made available.
Panorama of Willard’s title fight against Jack Johnson in Havana, Cuba, 1915
Johnson found that he could not knock out the giant Willard, who fought as a counterpuncher, making Johnson do all the leading. Johnson began to tire after the 20th round, and was visibly hurt by heavy body punches from Willard in rounds preceding the 26th round knockout.
On April 5, 1915 in front of a huge crowd at the new Oriental Park Racetrack in Havana, Cuba, in the 26th round Jess Willard knocked out champion Jack Johnson to win the world heavyweight boxing championship.On April 5, 1915 in front of a huge crowd at the new Oriental Park Racetrack in Havana, Cuba, in the 26th round Jess Willard knocked out champion Jack Johnson to win the world heavyweight boxing championship.
The longest heavyweight title fight of the 20th Century.
