Jess Willard

Surviving Hope of the White Race

April 3, 1915

Habana, Cuba

Two days before Willard's date with destiny he poses with his sparring partners, Jack Hemple, Tex O'Rourke, Walter Monaghen, and Walter Lanahan. Willard by now was trimmed down to 235 pounds and in the finest condition of his life. Although known to be somewhat letheragic in training, he could none the less be brutal with his sparring partners.

" ...(Willard) flares up....as if in an excess of fury and charges roughly on his sparring partners."

Damon Runyon

Willard,who drew the color line in his training camp in Habana, and would continue to do so the remainder of his career, was to have two of these four sparring partners with him at Casino, outside Toledo, that fateful Summer of 1919. Jack Hemple would be the sparring partner nearest in size to Dempsey ,who would test Willard's defense against a man of the challenger's size. Walter Monaghen, senior of the sparring partner's, veteran of hundreds of rounds and exhibitions with Willard would also be there at Casino. Monaghen convinced that Dempsey would be no match for the power of the giant Willard. Alas, the passing years and familiarity were to cloud Monaghen's view, but this Spring day in Habana all was bright and promising ahead for the young giant from Kansas.

Vintage Realphoto Postcard.

The postcard is vintage circa 1915. However, it is a second generation image utilized to prodice the photograph from an original photo. This was a common practice at the time, particularly of images surrounding events of great popular appeal.

Condition: Excellent Plus (Note: The defects visible in the lower left portion of the picture are in the negative not on the postcard. Reverse evidences staining as pictured not affecting the postcard front image.

You may view a vintage original realphoto postcard of a similiar scene for comparison at http://www.antkekprizering.com/willardsparring partners.html

Size: 3 3/8 x 5 3/8 in.

Price: $ 95.00

Shipping & Handling $10.00 the United States. $15.00 to Foreign Destinations

3000-0316

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