All boxers

Jess Willard

“Pottawatomie Giant”

Boxing · Deceased
25-7-2RECORD
19WINS BY KO / TKO
6WINS BY DECISION
34PRO FIGHTS

Profile

Full nameJess Myron Willard
NicknamePottawatomie Giant
Date of birth29 Dec 1881
Died15 Dec 1968
NationalityAmerican
BirthplaceSaint Clere, Kansas, US
Based inNot added yet
Weight classesHeavyweight
TrainersNot added yet
Height199 cm (6′6″)
ReachNot added yet
StanceOrthodox
Years active1911–1923
StatusDeceased
Pro debut15 Feb 1911
Last fightLoss vs Luis Angel Firpo, 12 Jul 1923

Details on this page were compiled from public information on 11 Oct 2026 (the record is as of that date). Is this you? Claim this profile to correct anything and add your photo and bio. Claim this profile

Titles and honours

Background

American heavyweight known as the Pottawatomie Giant who began boxing at age 27. He won the world heavyweight title from Jack Johnson in Havana in 1915 and lost it to Jack Dempsey in 1919.

Fight history

34 professional fights. Newest first.

ResultOpponentMethodRoundTimeDateLocationNotes
LossLuis Angel FirpoKO81:5512 Jul 1923Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New Jersey, US
WinFloyd JohnsonTKO1112 May 1923Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, US
LossJack DempseyTKO (corner retirement)34 Jul 1919Bay View Park Arena, Toledo, Ohio, USLost world heavyweight title
WinFrank MoranDecision (points)1025 Mar 1916Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USNewspaper decision; retained world heavyweight title
WinJack JohnsonKO261:265 Apr 1915Oriental Park, Havana, CubaWon world heavyweight title
WinGeorge RodelKO628 Apr 1914Orpheum Theater, Atlanta, Georgia, US
WinDan DaileyKO913 Apr 1914Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
LossTom McMahonDecision (points)1227 Mar 1914Grand Opera House, Youngstown, Ohio, USNewspaper decision
WinGeorge RodelKO929 Dec 1913Casino, New Haven, Connecticut, US
WinGeorge DavisKO212 Dec 1913Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
WinCarl MorrisDecision (points)103 Dec 1913Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USNewspaper decision
WinJack ReedTKO224 Nov 1913Princess Rink, Fort Wayne, Indiana, US
LossGeorge RodelDecision (points)1017 Nov 1913Elite Rink, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USNewspaper decision
WinBull YoungKO1122 Aug 1913Pacific A.C., Vernon, California, US
WinAl WilliamsTKO84 Jul 1913Moana Springs Arena, Reno, Nevada, US
DrawCharley MillerDecision (points)427 Jun 1913Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
LossGunboat SmithDecision (points)2020 May 1913Eighth Street Arena, San Francisco, California, US
WinJack LeonKO45 Mar 1913Princess Rink, Fort Wayne, Indiana, US
WinFrank BauerTKO51:5022 Jan 1913Princess Rink, Fort Wayne, Indiana, US
WinSoldier KearnsKO827 Dec 1912Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
WinSailor WhiteKO12 Dec 1912Miller's Hall, Buffalo, New York, US
DrawLuther McCartyDecision (points)1019 Aug 1912Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USNewspaper decision
WinArthur PelkeyDecision (points)1029 Jul 1912Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USNewspaper decision
WinBull YoungKO52 Jul 1912South Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, US
WinFrank BauerTKO329 May 1912Irwin Hall, St. Charles, Missouri, US
WinBull YoungKO622 May 1912Princess Rink, Fort Wayne, Indiana, US
LossJoe CoxTKO59 Oct 1911Landers Theatre, Springfield, Missouri, US
WinMike McKimminskyDecision (points)1010 Aug 1911Hammon, Oklahoma, US
WinFrank LyonsDecision (points)104 Jul 1911Elk City, Oklahoma, US
WinWilliam SchillerKO415 May 1911Maize Theatre, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
WinAl MandinoDecision (points)414 Apr 1911Benevolent A.A., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
WinLewis FinkKO31:1324 Mar 1911Benevolent A.A., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
WinEd BurkeKO37 Mar 1911Jackson's Pavilion, El Reno, Oklahoma, US
LossLewis FinkDisqualification100:4515 Feb 1911Sapulpa Air Dome, Sapulpa, Oklahoma, USPro debut

Record source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).