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Jess Willard

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Boxer

The Resume

    (December 29, 1881-December 15, 1968)
    Born in St. Clere, Kansas
    Professional boxer
    Professional record of 22 wins (20 by KO) 5 losses (3 by KO) and 1 draw
    Heavyweight champion of the world (April 5, 1915-July 4, 1919)
    Six foot six and fought anywhere between 220 - 265 pounds
    Nicknamed the Pottawatime Giant

Why he might be annoying:

    He never set out to be a professional boxer, but just wanted to make a few extra bucks and decided on boxing after his friends, noting his size, suggested it.
    He lost his first fight by DQ in the 10th round.
    He was rarely in shape for fights and was clearly overweight for his title fight with Jack Dempsey.
    He lost an early fight on a TKO when he quit on his stool after the fourth round because he was too out of shape and exhausted to continue.
    He killed Jack 'Bull' Young in the ring (1913).
    It took him 26 rounds to KO Jack Johnson to win the title.
    He only made one successful defense of his heavyweight title.
    He was knocked down seven times in the first round of his title defense against Jack Dempsey and quit on his stool after the third round.
    Predictably, he tried a comeback and was equally predictably knocked out.

Why he might not be annoying:

    His father died two months before he was born.
    He was charged with second degree murder after killing Young in the ring but was cleared and later put the man's children through college.
    He beat one Hall of Famer, Jack Johnson, to win the heavyweight title and lost it to another, Jack Dempsey.
    He had a tremendous punch and, when in shape, excellent endurance.
    His continuing to fight after the horrific beating he received in the first round of his fight with Jack Dempsey showed incredible courage.
    He actually had a decent chin; only Dempsey and Luis Firpo actually KO'd him, which not exactly a disgrace.
    He became a successful businessman and farmer after he retired which was all he wanted to do in the first place.

Credit: tom_jeffords


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 21 Votes: 47.62% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 15 Votes: 53.33% Annoying