Harry Wills - Revision history

John at 13:47, 28 November 2020

2020-11-28T13:47:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:47, 28 November 2020
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	[[File:Harry Wills ~~U161386INP~~.jpg\|left\|~~225px\|thumb\|Harry Wills~~]]		[[File:Harry Wills cropped.jpg\|left\|250px]]
	~~[[file:Ibhof-logo.jpg\|thumb~~\|~~right\|Class of 1992<br>Old Timer Category<br>Hall of Fame bio:[~~http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/oldtimer/wills.html ~~click]]]~~		{{ibhof \|url=http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/oldtimer/wills.html}}
	<boxer>017615</boxer>		<boxer>017615</boxer>
	'''Manager:''' [[Paddy Mullins]]~~<br>~~		*'''Manager:''' [[Paddy Mullins]]
	'''[[:Category:Harry Wills Gallery\|Harry Wills ~~Photo~~ Gallery]]'''		*'''[[:Category:Harry Wills Gallery\|Harry Wills Gallery]]'''
			'''Harry Wills''' was a heavyweight contender during the late 1910s and 1920s. He was widely seen as [[World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Jack Dempsey]]'s top contender. Wills was unable to secure a title shot due to the controversial color line in boxing, which prevented men of color from fighting for the heavyweight title.

			Wills held the [[World Colored Heavyweight Championship]] and fought the best black fighters of the era. He fought [[Sam Langford]] 18 times, [[Sam McVea]] 5 times, [[Battling Jim Johnson]] 4 times and [[Joe Jeannette]] twice.

			[[Jack Johnson]] became the first black man to fight for the heavyweight title in 1908, and he made the most of his opportunity, dominating champion [[Tommy Burns]] and stopping him in [[Tommy Burns vs. Jack Johnson\|fourteen rounds]]. After Johnson lost his title to [[White Hope]] [[Jess Willard]] in 1915, it would be twenty-two years before another black man got a shot at the heavyweight title.

	'''Harry Wills''' was a heavyweight contender during the late 1910s and 1920s. He was widely seen as [[World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Jack Dempsey]]'s top contender. Wills was unable to secure a title shot due to the controversial color line in boxing, which prevented men of color from fighting for the heavyweight title.<br><br>
	Wills held the [[World Colored Heavyweight Championship]] and fought the best black fighters of the era. He fought [[Sam Langford]] 18 times, [[Sam McVea]] 5 times, [[Battling Jim Johnson]] 4 times and [[Joe Jeannette]] twice.<br><br>
	[[Jack Johnson]] became the first black man to fight for the heavyweight title in 1908, and he made the most of his opportunity, dominating champion [[Tommy Burns]] and stopping him in [[Tommy Burns vs. Jack Johnson\|fourteen rounds]]. After Johnson lost his title to [[White Hope]] [[Jess Willard]] in 1915, it would be twenty-two years before another black man got a shot at the heavyweight title.<br><br>
	After Dempsey beat Willard for the title in 1919, he announced that he would draw the color line. Dempsey's promoter, [[Tex Rickard]], wanted nothing to do with a mixed-race fight. He promoted the [[Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries]] fight in 1910, which resulted in deadly riots following Johnson's win. Rickard said would he would never again promote such a fight.<br><br>		After Dempsey beat Willard for the title in 1919, he announced that he would draw the color line. Dempsey's promoter, [[Tex Rickard]], wanted nothing to do with a mixed-race fight. He promoted the [[Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries]] fight in 1910, which resulted in deadly riots following Johnson's win. Rickard said would he would never again promote such a fight.<br><br>
	During Dempsey's title reign, pressure mounted for him to defend against Wills. In a poll conducted by more than 500 newspapers, Wills was picked as the boxer the public most wanted to see Dempsey fight. Wills got 131,073 votes. [[Tommy Gibbons]] finished second, trailing by about 6,000 votes~~<br><br>~~		During Dempsey's title reign, pressure mounted for him to defend against Wills. In a poll conducted by more than 500 newspapers, Wills was picked as the boxer the public most wanted to see Dempsey fight. Wills got 131,073 votes. [[Tommy Gibbons]] finished second, trailing by about 6,000 votes.

	On May 1, 1924, Rickard announced that Dempsey and Wills would fight at Boyle's Thirty Acres in Jersey City, New Jersey, on September 6. Rickard then made a counter-announcement on July 5, stating that Dempsey would not fight in 1924.<br><br> On March 6, 1925, the [[New York State Athletic Commission]] issued an ultimatum that Dempsey must agree to fight Wills within twenty-four hours. When that didn't happen, Dempsey was barred from fighting in New York State. Rickard said he received a hint from Governor Al Smith that such a match wasn't desired, but James A. Farley, chairman of the commission, emphatically denied the report.<br><br>		On May 1, 1924, Rickard announced that Dempsey and Wills would fight at Boyle's Thirty Acres in Jersey City, New Jersey, on September 6. Rickard then made a counter-announcement on July 5, stating that Dempsey would not fight in 1924.<br><br> On March 6, 1925, the [[New York State Athletic Commission]] issued an ultimatum that Dempsey must agree to fight Wills within twenty-four hours. When that didn't happen, Dempsey was barred from fighting in New York State. Rickard said he received a hint from Governor Al Smith that such a match wasn't desired, but James A. Farley, chairman of the commission, emphatically denied the report.<br><br>
	"I would have fought Wills," Dempsey told the ''New York Post'' in 1953, "but nobody would promote it. When Wills challenged, Tex Rickard would have nothing to do with the fight. He said he had instructions from Washington not to promote a mixed[-race] bout for the heavyweight title."~~<br><br>~~		"I would have fought Wills," Dempsey told the ''New York Post'' in 1953, "but nobody would promote it. When Wills challenged, Tex Rickard would have nothing to do with the fight. He said he had instructions from Washington not to promote a mixed[-race] bout for the heavyweight title."
	In September 1925, Dempsey and Wills traveled to Benton Harbor, Michigan and signed for a 1926 title fight with promoter Floyd Fitzsimmons. Wills received $50,000 as his guarantee for signing the contract. Dempsey was to receive $125,000. Unfortunately, the fight never happened. This is what Dempsey wrote in a 1950 [[:File:Jack Dempsey Ebony February 1950.JPG\|''Ebony'']] article:~~<br><br>~~
	:"The facts clearly show that in 1926 I tried desperately to arrange a fight with Harry Wills but the deal collapsed when my guarantee was not forthcoming. Wills and I had signed to fight with a promoter named Floyd Fitzsimmons of Benton Harbor, Michigan. Wills, I understand, received fifty thousand dollars as his guarantee for signing the contract. I was to have received one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in advance of the fight. As the date of the fight grew nearer and my money did not appear, I became anxious and asked Fitzsimmons what was the matter. He wired me to meet him in Dayton, Ohio, assuring me that he would have the money for me there. I met Fitzsimmons in Dayton who handed me a certified check for twenty-five thousand dollars and a promise to let me have the balance almost immediately. I balked at that, demanding the full amount right away. Fitzsimmons tried to placate me by calling the bank where he said he had deposited the money. The bank, unfortunately for Fitzsimmons, informed him that it did not have that much money on hand, that there wasn’t enough to cover the twenty-five thousand dollar check he had given me. Furious, I returned the check to Fitzsimmons and told him the fight was off. Later, the Fitzsimmons syndicate financing the fight sued me for failure to honor a contract. I won the case."~~<br><br>~~		In September 1925, Dempsey and Wills traveled to Benton Harbor, Michigan and signed for a 1926 title fight with promoter Floyd Fitzsimmons. Wills received $50,000 as his guarantee for signing the contract. Dempsey was to receive $125,000. Unfortunately, the fight never happened. This is what Dempsey wrote in a 1950 [[:File:Jack Dempsey Ebony February 1950.JPG\|''Ebony'']] article:

			:"The facts clearly show that in 1926 I tried desperately to arrange a fight with Harry Wills but the deal collapsed when my guarantee was not forthcoming. Wills and I had signed to fight with a promoter named Floyd Fitzsimmons of Benton Harbor, Michigan. Wills, I understand, received fifty thousand dollars as his guarantee for signing the contract. I was to have received one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in advance of the fight. As the date of the fight grew nearer and my money did not appear, I became anxious and asked Fitzsimmons what was the matter. He wired me to meet him in Dayton, Ohio, assuring me that he would have the money for me there. I met Fitzsimmons in Dayton who handed me a certified check for twenty-five thousand dollars and a promise to let me have the balance almost immediately. I balked at that, demanding the full amount right away. Fitzsimmons tried to placate me by calling the bank where he said he had deposited the money. The bank, unfortunately for Fitzsimmons, informed him that it did not have that much money on hand, that there wasn’t enough to cover the twenty-five thousand dollar check he had given me. Furious, I returned the check to Fitzsimmons and told him the fight was off. Later, the Fitzsimmons syndicate financing the fight sued me for failure to honor a contract. I won the case."

	Dempsey [[Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney (1st meeting)\|lost]] the title to [[Gene Tunney]] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in September 1926. The following month, 34-year-old Wills [[Jack Sharkey vs. Harry Wills\|lost]] to [[Jack Sharkey]]. All talk of a Dempsey-Wills fight was now over.<br><br>		Dempsey [[Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney (1st meeting)\|lost]] the title to [[Gene Tunney]] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in September 1926. The following month, 34-year-old Wills [[Jack Sharkey vs. Harry Wills\|lost]] to [[Jack Sharkey]]. All talk of a Dempsey-Wills fight was now over.<br><br>
	Wills retired from boxing in 1932 at the age of 43. He invested his ring earnings in real estate and became a successful businessman. Wills died from diabetes on December 21, 1958. He left an estate valued at over $100,000, including a 19-family apartment building in upper Harlem.		Wills retired from boxing in 1932 at the age of 43. He invested his ring earnings in real estate and became a successful businessman. Wills died from diabetes on December 21, 1958. He left an estate valued at over $100,000, including a 19-family apartment building in upper Harlem.

Bitplayer at 21:50, 18 January 2018

2018-01-18T21:50:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:50, 18 January 2018
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	In September 1925, Dempsey and Wills traveled to Benton Harbor, Michigan and signed for a 1926 title fight with promoter Floyd Fitzsimmons. Wills received $50,000 as his guarantee for signing the contract. Dempsey was to receive $125,000. Unfortunately, the fight never happened. This is what Dempsey wrote in a 1950 [[:File:Jack Dempsey Ebony February 1950.JPG\|''Ebony'']] article:<br><br>		In September 1925, Dempsey and Wills traveled to Benton Harbor, Michigan and signed for a 1926 title fight with promoter Floyd Fitzsimmons. Wills received $50,000 as his guarantee for signing the contract. Dempsey was to receive $125,000. Unfortunately, the fight never happened. This is what Dempsey wrote in a 1950 [[:File:Jack Dempsey Ebony February 1950.JPG\|''Ebony'']] article:<br><br>
	:"The facts clearly show that in 1926 I tried desperately to arrange a fight with Harry Wills but the deal collapsed when my guarantee was not forthcoming. Wills and I had signed to fight with a promoter named Floyd Fitzsimmons of Benton Harbor, Michigan. Wills, I understand, received fifty thousand dollars as his guarantee for signing the contract. I was to have received one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in advance of the fight. As the date of the fight grew nearer and my money did not appear, I became anxious and asked Fitzsimmons what was the matter. He wired me to meet him in Dayton, Ohio, assuring me that he would have the money for me there. I met Fitzsimmons in Dayton who handed me a certified check for twenty-five thousand dollars and a promise to let me have the balance almost immediately. I balked at that, demanding the full amount right away. Fitzsimmons tried to placate me by calling the bank where he said he had deposited the money. The bank, unfortunately for Fitzsimmons, informed him that it did not have that much money on hand, that there wasn’t enough to cover the twenty-five thousand dollar check he had given me. Furious, I returned the check to Fitzsimmons and told him the fight was off. Later, the Fitzsimmons syndicate financing the fight sued me for failure to honor a contract. I won the case."<br><br>		:"The facts clearly show that in 1926 I tried desperately to arrange a fight with Harry Wills but the deal collapsed when my guarantee was not forthcoming. Wills and I had signed to fight with a promoter named Floyd Fitzsimmons of Benton Harbor, Michigan. Wills, I understand, received fifty thousand dollars as his guarantee for signing the contract. I was to have received one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in advance of the fight. As the date of the fight grew nearer and my money did not appear, I became anxious and asked Fitzsimmons what was the matter. He wired me to meet him in Dayton, Ohio, assuring me that he would have the money for me there. I met Fitzsimmons in Dayton who handed me a certified check for twenty-five thousand dollars and a promise to let me have the balance almost immediately. I balked at that, demanding the full amount right away. Fitzsimmons tried to placate me by calling the bank where he said he had deposited the money. The bank, unfortunately for Fitzsimmons, informed him that it did not have that much money on hand, that there wasn’t enough to cover the twenty-five thousand dollar check he had given me. Furious, I returned the check to Fitzsimmons and told him the fight was off. Later, the Fitzsimmons syndicate financing the fight sued me for failure to honor a contract. I won the case."<br><br>
	Dempsey [[Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney (1st meeting)\|lost]] the title to [[Gene Tunney]] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in September 1926. The following month, 37-year-old Wills [[Jack Sharkey vs. Harry Wills\|lost]] to [[Jack Sharkey]]. All talk of a Dempsey-Wills fight was now over.<br><br>		Dempsey [[Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney (1st meeting)\|lost]] the title to [[Gene Tunney]] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in September 1926. The following month, 34-year-old Wills [[Jack Sharkey vs. Harry Wills\|lost]] to [[Jack Sharkey]]. All talk of a Dempsey-Wills fight was now over.<br><br>
	Wills retired from boxing in 1932 at the age of 43. He invested his ring earnings in real estate and became a successful businessman. Wills died from diabetes on December 21, 1958. He left an estate valued at over $100,000, including a 19-family apartment building in upper Harlem.		Wills retired from boxing in 1932 at the age of 43. He invested his ring earnings in real estate and became a successful businessman. Wills died from diabetes on December 21, 1958. He left an estate valued at over $100,000, including a 19-family apartment building in upper Harlem.

Boxsoup at 07:42, 1 February 2014

2014-02-01T07:42:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:42, 1 February 2014
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	'''Harry Wills''' was a heavyweight contender during the late 1910s and 1920s. He was widely seen as [[World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Jack Dempsey]]'s top contender. Wills was unable to secure a title shot due to the controversial color line in boxing, which prevented men of color from fighting for the heavyweight title.<br><br>		'''Harry Wills''' was a heavyweight contender during the late 1910s and 1920s. He was widely seen as [[World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Jack Dempsey]]'s top contender. Wills was unable to secure a title shot due to the controversial color line in boxing, which prevented men of color from fighting for the heavyweight title.<br><br>
	Wills held the [[World Colored Heavyweight Championship]] and fought the best black fighters of the era. He fought [[Sam Langford]] 18 times, [[Sam McVea]] 5 times, [[Battling Jim Johnson]] 4 times and [[Joe Jeannette]] twice.<br><br>		Wills held the [[World Colored Heavyweight Championship]] and fought the best black fighters of the era. He fought [[Sam Langford]] 18 times, [[Sam McVea]] 5 times, [[Battling Jim Johnson]] 4 times and [[Joe Jeannette]] twice.<br><br>
	[[Jack Johnson]] became the first black man to fight for the heavyweight title in 1908, and he made the most of his opportunity, dominating champion [[Tommy Burns]] and stopping him in [[Tommy Burns vs. Jack Johnson\|fourteen rounds]]. After Johnson lost his title to "White Hope" [[Jess Willard]] in 1915, it would be twenty-two years before another black man got a shot at the heavyweight title.<br><br>		[[Jack Johnson]] became the first black man to fight for the heavyweight title in 1908, and he made the most of his opportunity, dominating champion [[Tommy Burns]] and stopping him in [[Tommy Burns vs. Jack Johnson\|fourteen rounds]]. After Johnson lost his title to [[White Hope]] [[Jess Willard]] in 1915, it would be twenty-two years before another black man got a shot at the heavyweight title.<br><br>
	After Dempsey beat Willard for the title in 1919, he announced that he would draw the color line. Dempsey's promoter, [[Tex Rickard]], wanted nothing to do with a mixed-race fight. He promoted the [[Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries]] fight in 1910, which resulted in deadly riots following Johnson's win. Rickard said would he would never again promote such a fight.<br><br>		After Dempsey beat Willard for the title in 1919, he announced that he would draw the color line. Dempsey's promoter, [[Tex Rickard]], wanted nothing to do with a mixed-race fight. He promoted the [[Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries]] fight in 1910, which resulted in deadly riots following Johnson's win. Rickard said would he would never again promote such a fight.<br><br>
	During Dempsey's title reign, pressure mounted for him to defend against Wills. In a poll conducted by more than 500 newspapers, Wills was picked as the boxer the public most wanted to see Dempsey fight. Wills got 131,073 votes. [[Tommy Gibbons]] finished second, trailing by about 6,000 votes<br><br>		During Dempsey's title reign, pressure mounted for him to defend against Wills. In a poll conducted by more than 500 newspapers, Wills was picked as the boxer the public most wanted to see Dempsey fight. Wills got 131,073 votes. [[Tommy Gibbons]] finished second, trailing by about 6,000 votes<br><br>

Boxsoup at 07:34, 1 February 2014

2014-02-01T07:34:12Z

Ric: gallery code inserted

2013-01-27T19:08:19Z

gallery code inserted

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:08, 27 January 2013
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	[[~~file~~:~~Wills.Harry2~~.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|~~Harry Wills~~]]		[[File:WillsHarry4.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]
	[[file:Ibhof-logo.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Class of 1992<br>Old Timer Category<br>Hall of Fame bio:[http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/oldtimer/wills.html click]]]		[[file:Ibhof-logo.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Class of 1992<br>Old Timer Category<br>Hall of Fame bio:[http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/oldtimer/wills.html click]]]
	<boxer>017615</boxer>		<boxer>017615</boxer>
	'''Manager:''' [[Paddy Mullins]]<br>		'''Manager:''' [[Paddy Mullins]]<br>
	[[:~~Image~~:~~Wills.~~Harry~~.jpg\|Photo #2]], [[:Image:~~Wills~~.Harry3.jpg~~\|~~Photo #3]], [[:Image:~~Harry Wills ~~.555..jpg\|Photo #4]], [[:Image:Harry Wills & Luis Angel Firppo .8598.jpg\|~~Photo #5]]		'''[[:Category:Harry Wills Gallery\|Harry Wills Photo Gallery]]'''

	~~<br clear=all>~~

	'''Harry Wills''' was a heavyweight contender during the late 1910s and 1920s. He was widely seen as [[World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Jack Dempsey]]'s top contender. Wills was unable to secure a title shot due to the controversial color line in boxing, which prevented men of color from fighting for the heavyweight title.<br><br>		'''Harry Wills''' was a heavyweight contender during the late 1910s and 1920s. He was widely seen as [[World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Jack Dempsey]]'s top contender. Wills was unable to secure a title shot due to the controversial color line in boxing, which prevented men of color from fighting for the heavyweight title.<br><br>
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	== Factoids ==		== Factoids ==
	*Wills was called both "The Black Panther" and "The Brown Panther."		*Wills was called both "The Black Panther" and "The Brown Panther."
	*Wills served as a sparring partner for heavyweight champion [[Jack Johnson]] when Johnson was training for his July 4, 1912 title defense against [[Fireman Jim Flynn]]. "The Kansas City Star" reported that in a June 9 sparring session, Wills, who had been a pro for just a year and a half, "did his best, but his best was not much and Johnson called for Marty Cutler after Wills had been on duty for three rounds."		*Wills served as a sparring partner for heavyweight champion [[Jack Johnson]] when Johnson was training for his July 4, 1912, title defense against [[Fireman Jim Flynn]]. The ''Kansas City Star'' reported that in a June 9 sparring session, Wills, who had been a pro for just a year and a half, "did his best, but his best was not much and Johnson called for Marty Cutler after Wills had been on duty for three rounds."

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

Earl: /* Factoids */

2012-08-21T20:03:57Z

Factoids

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 21 August 2012
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	Wills retired from boxing in 1932 at the age of 43. He invested his ring earnings in real estate and became a successful businessman. Wills died from diabetes on December 21, 1958. He left an estate valued at over $100,000, including a 19-family apartment building in upper Harlem.<br><br>		Wills retired from boxing in 1932 at the age of 43. He invested his ring earnings in real estate and became a successful businessman. Wills died from diabetes on December 21, 1958. He left an estate valued at over $100,000, including a 19-family apartment building in upper Harlem.<br><br>
	== Factoids ==		== Factoids ==
	*Wills was called by both "The Black Panther" and "The Brown Panther."		*Wills was called both "The Black Panther" and "The Brown Panther."
	*Wills served as a sparring partner for heavyweight champion [[Jack Johnson]] when Johnson was training for his July 4, 1912 title defense against [[Fireman Jim Flynn]]. "The Kansas City Star" reported that in a June 9 sparring session, Wills, who had been a pro for just a year and a half, "did his best, but his best was not much and Johnson called for Marty Cutler after Wills had been on duty for three rounds."		*Wills served as a sparring partner for heavyweight champion [[Jack Johnson]] when Johnson was training for his July 4, 1912 title defense against [[Fireman Jim Flynn]]. "The Kansas City Star" reported that in a June 9 sparring session, Wills, who had been a pro for just a year and a half, "did his best, but his best was not much and Johnson called for Marty Cutler after Wills had been on duty for three rounds."

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
	*[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00A17F93F5E157A93C4A9178CD85F4D8185F9 Jack Dempsey, New Heavyweight Champion, Announces He Will Draw The Color Line - "New York Times" - July 6, 1919]		*[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00A17F93F5E157A93C4A9178CD85F4D8185F9 Jack Dempsey, New Heavyweight Champion, Announces He Will Draw The Color Line - "New York Times" - July 6, 1919]

Earl at 20:02, 21 August 2012

2012-08-21T20:02:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:02, 21 August 2012
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	On May 1, 1924, Rickard announced that Dempsey and Wills would fight in September in Jersey City, New Jersey, Then on July 5, he made the counter-announcement that Dempsey would not fight in 1924.<br><br> On March 6, 1925, the New York State Athletic Commission issued an ultimatum that Dempsey must agree to fight Wills within twenty-four hours. When that didn't happen, Dempsey was barred from fighting in New York State. Rickard said he received a hint from Governor Al Smith that such a match wasn't desired, but James A. Farley, chairman of the commission, emphatically denied the report.<br><br>		On May 1, 1924, Rickard announced that Dempsey and Wills would fight in September in Jersey City, New Jersey, Then on July 5, he made the counter-announcement that Dempsey would not fight in 1924.<br><br> On March 6, 1925, the New York State Athletic Commission issued an ultimatum that Dempsey must agree to fight Wills within twenty-four hours. When that didn't happen, Dempsey was barred from fighting in New York State. Rickard said he received a hint from Governor Al Smith that such a match wasn't desired, but James A. Farley, chairman of the commission, emphatically denied the report.<br><br>
	"I would have fought Wills," Dempsey told the New York Post in 1953, "but nobody would promote it. When Wills challenged, Tex Rickard would have nothing to do with the fight. He said he had instructions from Washington not to promote a mixed[-race] bout for the heavyweight title."<br><br>		"I would have fought Wills," Dempsey told the New York Post in 1953, "but nobody would promote it. When Wills challenged, Tex Rickard would have nothing to do with the fight. He said he had instructions from Washington not to promote a mixed[-race] bout for the heavyweight title."<br><br>
	In September 1925, Dempsey and Wills ~~signed~~ to ~~fight in~~ Benton Harbor, Michigan with Floyd Fitzsimmons ~~as the promoter~~. Wills received $50,000 as his guarantee for signing the contract. Dempsey was to receive $125,000. Unfortunately, the fight never happened. This is what Dempsey wrote in a 1963 article:		In September 1925, Dempsey and Wills traveled to Benton Harbor, Michigan and signed for a 1926 title fight with promoter Floyd Fitzsimmons. Wills received $50,000 as his guarantee for signing the contract. Dempsey was to receive $125,000. Unfortunately, the fight never happened. This is what Dempsey wrote in a 1963 article:<br><br>
	:"As the date of the fight grew nearer and my money did not appear, I became anxious and asked Fitzsimmons what was the matter. He wired me to meet him in Dayton, Ohio, assuring me that he would have the money for me there. I met Fitzsimmons, who handed me a certified check for $25,000 and a promise to let me have the balance almost immediately. I balked at that, demanding the full amount right away. Fitzsimmons tried to placate me by calling the bank where he said he had deposited the money. The bank, unfortunately for Fitzsimmons, informed him that it did not have that much money on hand, that there wasn’t enough to cover the $25,000 check he had given me. Furious, I returned the check to Fitzsimmons and told him the fight was off."<br><br>		:"As the date of the fight grew nearer and my money did not appear, I became anxious and asked Fitzsimmons what was the matter. He wired me to meet him in Dayton, Ohio, assuring me that he would have the money for me there. I met Fitzsimmons, who handed me a certified check for $25,000 and a promise to let me have the balance almost immediately. I balked at that, demanding the full amount right away. Fitzsimmons tried to placate me by calling the bank where he said he had deposited the money. The bank, unfortunately for Fitzsimmons, informed him that it did not have that much money on hand, that there wasn’t enough to cover the $25,000 check he had given me. Furious, I returned the check to Fitzsimmons and told him the fight was off."<br><br>
	In September 1926, Dempsey lost the title to [[Gene Tunney]] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The following month, 37-year-old Wills lost to [[Jack Sharkey]]. All talk of a Jack Dempsey vs. Harry Wills fight was now over.<br><br>		In September 1926, Dempsey [[Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney (1st meeting)\|lost]] the title to [[Gene Tunney]] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The following month, 37-year-old Wills [[Jack Sharkey vs. Harry Wills\|lost]] to [[Jack Sharkey]]. All talk of a Jack Dempsey vs. Harry Wills fight was now over.<br><br>
	Wills retired from boxing in 1932 at the age of 43. He invested his ring earnings in real estate and became a successful businessman. Wills died from diabetes on December 21, 1958. He left an estate valued at over $100,000, including a 19-family apartment building in upper Harlem.<br><br>		Wills retired from boxing in 1932 at the age of 43. He invested his ring earnings in real estate and became a successful businessman. Wills died from diabetes on December 21, 1958. He left an estate valued at over $100,000, including a 19-family apartment building in upper Harlem.<br><br>
	== Factoids ==		== Factoids ==

Earl at 07:02, 21 August 2012

2012-08-21T07:02:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:02, 21 August 2012
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	*Wills was called by both "The Black Panther" and "The Brown Panther."		*Wills was called by both "The Black Panther" and "The Brown Panther."
	*Wills served as a sparring partner for heavyweight champion [[Jack Johnson]] when Johnson was training for his July 4, 1912 title defense against [[Fireman Jim Flynn]]. "The Kansas City Star" reported that in a June 9 sparring session, Wills, who had been a pro for just a year and a half, "did his best, but his best was not much and Johnson called for Marty Cutler after Wills had been on duty for three rounds."		*Wills served as a sparring partner for heavyweight champion [[Jack Johnson]] when Johnson was training for his July 4, 1912 title defense against [[Fireman Jim Flynn]]. "The Kansas City Star" reported that in a June 9 sparring session, Wills, who had been a pro for just a year and a half, "did his best, but his best was not much and Johnson called for Marty Cutler after Wills had been on duty for three rounds."
	== ~~Articles~~ ==		== Sources ==
	*[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00A17F93F5E157A93C4A9178CD85F4D8185F9 Jack Dempsey, New Heavyweight Champion, Announces He Will Draw The Color Line - "New York Times" - July 6, 1919]		*[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00A17F93F5E157A93C4A9178CD85F4D8185F9 Jack Dempsey, New Heavyweight Champion, Announces He Will Draw The Color Line - "New York Times" - July 6, 1919]
	*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d8lPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yVMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2866,5569898&dq=dempsey+harry+wills&hl=en Fight Fans Pick Wills As Best Bet - "The Evening Independent" - March 13, 1922]		*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d8lPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yVMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2866,5569898&dq=dempsey+harry+wills&hl=en Fight Fans Pick Wills As Best Bet - "The Evening Independent" - March 13, 1922]
	*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2211&dat=19320402&id=tkxGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=f-UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4376,2712903 Death of Paddy Mullins, Manager of Harry Wills, Revives Old Memories - "The Afro-American" - April 2, 1932]		*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2211&dat=19320402&id=tkxGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=f-UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4376,2712903 Death of Paddy Mullins, Manager of Harry Wills, Revives Old Memories - "The Afro-American" - April 2, 1932]
	*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l_ExAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7eIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4388,1313695&dq=harry+wills&hl=en "Brown Panther" Harry Wills Dead - "Ottawa Citizen" - December 22, 1958]]		*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l_ExAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7eIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4388,1313695&dq=harry+wills&hl=en "Brown Panther" Harry Wills Dead - "Ottawa Citizen" - December 22, 1958]
	*[http://www.606v2.com/t11575-1963-article-by-jack-dempsey 1963 article by Jack Dempsey]		*[http://www.606v2.com/t11575-1963-article-by-jack-dempsey 1963 article by Jack Dempsey]
	*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/vieilles_annonces/6043266569/ Former Heavyweight Boxer Harry Wills Leaves $100,000 Estate - "Jet Magazine" - January 15, 1959]		*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/vieilles_annonces/6043266569/ Former Heavyweight Boxer Harry Wills Leaves $100,000 Estate - "Jet Magazine" - January 15, 1959]

Earl at 07:00, 21 August 2012

2012-08-21T07:00:46Z

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	[[file:Ibhof-logo.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Class of 1992<br>Old Timer Category<br>Hall of Fame bio:[http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/oldtimer/wills.html click]]]		[[file:Ibhof-logo.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Class of 1992<br>Old Timer Category<br>Hall of Fame bio:[http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/oldtimer/wills.html click]]]
	<boxer>017615</boxer>		<boxer>017615</boxer>
	'''Manager:''' [[Paddy Mullins]]		'''Manager:''' [[Paddy Mullins]]<br>
			[[:Image:Wills.Harry.jpg\|Photo #2]], [[:Image:Wills.Harry3.jpg\|Photo #3]], [[:Image:Harry Wills .555..jpg\|Photo #4]], [[:Image:Harry Wills & Luis Angel Firppo .8598.jpg\|Photo #5]]

	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

	'''Harry Wills''' was a ~~Heavyweight~~ contender during the late 1910s and 1920s. He was widely seen as Heavyweight ~~champion~~ [[Jack Dempsey]]'s top contender ~~for much of Dempsey's title reign~~. Wills was unable to secure a title shot ~~early in his career~~ due to the controversial ~~bar on so-called "Mixed Bouts"~~in boxing, which ~~resulted in preventing~~ men of ~~colour~~ from fighting for the Heavyweight title, ~~following~~ the ~~controversial reign~~ of [[Jack Johnson]]. In ~~spite of decisive victories over~~ most of the ~~top~~ "~~negro~~" and ~~caucasian heavyweights~~ of the ~~period~~, ~~elements~~ in ~~boxing conspired against his bid~~ for the title ~~held by~~ Dempsey.		'''Harry Wills''' was a heavyweight contender during the late 1910s and 1920s. He was widely seen as [[World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Jack Dempsey]]'s top contender. Wills was unable to secure a title shot due to the controversial color line in boxing, which prevented men of color from fighting for the heavyweight title.<br><br>
			Wills held the [[World Colored Heavyweight Championship]] and fought the best black fighters of the era. He fought [[Sam Langford]] 18 times, [[Sam McVea]] five times, and [[Joe Jeannette]] twice.<br><br>
	~~Harry~~ Wills served as a sparring partner for heavyweight champion Jack Johnson ~~in preparation~~ for ~~Johnson's~~ July 4 1912 title defense against [[Fireman Jim Flynn]]. The Kansas City Star reported that in a June 9 sparring session ~~between the two~~ Wills, ~~then~~ a ~~green 23~~ year ~~old~~, 'did his best, but his best was not much and Johnson called for [[Marty Cutler]] after Wills had been on duty for three rounds.~~'<br>~~		In 1908, [[Jack Johnson]] became the first black man to fight for the heavyweight title, and he made the most of his opportunity, dominating champion [[Tommy Burns]] and stopping him in [[Tommy Burns vs. Jack Johnson\|fourteen rounds]]. After Johnson lost his title to "White Hope" [[Jess Willard]] in 1915, it would be twenty-two years before another black man got a shot at the heavyweight title.<br><br>
	~~Wills died December 21~~, ~~1958 in~~ New York ~~City~~, ~~NY, USA.~~		After Dempsey beat Willard for the title in 1919, he announced that he would draw the color line. Depsey's promoter, [[Tex Rickard]], wanted nothing to do with a mixed-race fight. He promoted the [[Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries]] fight in 1910, which resulted in deadly riots following Johnson's win. Rickard said would he would never again promote such a fight.<br><br>
	*~~Aug~~. 30, 1922 ~~NY Times article called him the <b>Brown</b> Panther~~		During Dempsey's title reign, pressure mounted for him to defend against Wills. In a poll conducted by more than 500 newspapers, Wills was picked as the boxer the public most wanted to see Dempsey fight. Wills got 131,073 votes. [[Tommy Gibbons]] finished second, trailing by about 6,000 votes<br><br>
	*[[:~~Image:Wills~~.Harry~~.jpg\|Photo #~~2]~~], [~~[:~~Image:Wills~~.~~Harry3~~.~~jpg\|Photo #3]]~~, ~~[[:Image:~~Harry Wills ~~.555..jpg\|Photo #4~~]]~~, [~~[:~~Image:Harry Wills & Luis Angel Firppo~~ .~~8598~~.~~jpg\|Photo #5]~~]		On May 1, 1924, Rickard announced that Dempsey and Wills would fight in September in Jersey City, New Jersey, Then on July 5, he made the counter-announcement that Dempsey would not fight in 1924.<br><br> On March 6, 1925, the New York State Athletic Commission issued an ultimatum that Dempsey must agree to fight Wills within twenty-four hours. When that didn't happen, Dempsey was barred from fighting in New York State. Rickard said he received a hint from Governor Al Smith that such a match wasn't desired, but James A. Farley, chairman of the commission, emphatically denied the report.<br><br>
			"I would have fought Wills," Dempsey told the New York Post in 1953, "but nobody would promote it. When Wills challenged, Tex Rickard would have nothing to do with the fight. He said he had instructions from Washington not to promote a mixed[-race] bout for the heavyweight title."<br><br>
	*~~CBZ~~ [http://www.~~cyberboxingzone~~.com/~~boxing~~/~~wills-h.htm page]~~		In September 1925, Dempsey and Wills signed to fight in Benton Harbor, Michigan with Floyd Fitzsimmons as the promoter. Wills received $50,000 as his guarantee for signing the contract. Dempsey was to receive $125,000. Unfortunately, the fight never happened. This is what Dempsey wrote in a 1963 article:
			:"As the date of the fight grew nearer and my money did not appear, I became anxious and asked Fitzsimmons what was the matter. He wired me to meet him in Dayton, Ohio, assuring me that he would have the money for me there. I met Fitzsimmons, who handed me a certified check for $25,000 and a promise to let me have the balance almost immediately. I balked at that, demanding the full amount right away. Fitzsimmons tried to placate me by calling the bank where he said he had deposited the money. The bank, unfortunately for Fitzsimmons, informed him that it did not have that much money on hand, that there wasn’t enough to cover the $25,000 check he had given me. Furious, I returned the check to Fitzsimmons and told him the fight was off."<br><br>
			In September 1926, Dempsey lost the title to [[Gene Tunney]] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The following month, 37-year-old Wills lost to [[Jack Sharkey]]. All talk of a Jack Dempsey vs. Harry Wills fight was now over.<br><br>
	~~== Newspaper Article ==~~		Wills retired from boxing in 1932 at the age of 43. He invested his ring earnings in real estate and became a successful businessman. Wills died from diabetes on December 21, 1958. He left an estate valued at over $100,000, including a 19-family apartment building in upper Harlem.<br><br>
			== Factoids ==
	*Harry Wills ~~dies at age 66~~, AP - ~~December 22~~, ~~1958~~ [http://~~news~~.~~google~~.com/~~newspapers~~?id=~~I3ZhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4wAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7591%2C6097895~~]		*Wills was called by both "The Black Panther" and "The Brown Panther."
			*Wills served as a sparring partner for heavyweight champion [[Jack Johnson]] when Johnson was training for his July 4, 1912 title defense against [[Fireman Jim Flynn]]. "The Kansas City Star" reported that in a June 9 sparring session, Wills, who had been a pro for just a year and a half, "did his best, but his best was not much and Johnson called for Marty Cutler after Wills had been on duty for three rounds."
			== Articles ==
			*[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00A17F93F5E157A93C4A9178CD85F4D8185F9 Jack Dempsey, New Heavyweight Champion, Announces He Will Draw The Color Line - "New York Times" - July 6, 1919]
			*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d8lPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yVMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2866,5569898&dq=dempsey+harry+wills&hl=en Fight Fans Pick Wills As Best Bet - "The Evening Independent" - March 13, 1922]
			*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2211&dat=19320402&id=tkxGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=f-UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4376,2712903 Death of Paddy Mullins, Manager of Harry Wills, Revives Old Memories - "The Afro-American" - April 2, 1932]
			*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l_ExAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7eIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4388,1313695&dq=harry+wills&hl=en "Brown Panther" Harry Wills Dead - "Ottawa Citizen" - December 22, 1958]]
			*[http://www.606v2.com/t11575-1963-article-by-jack-dempsey 1963 article by Jack Dempsey]
			*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/vieilles_annonces/6043266569/ Former Heavyweight Boxer Harry Wills Leaves $100,000 Estate - "Jet Magazine" - January 15, 1959]
			*[http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3492743 Iconic Dempsey exemplified the Roaring '20s - ESPN.com - July 12, 2008]
			*[http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/wills-h.htm Cyber Boxing Zone page]

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Wills, Harry}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Wills, Harry}}
	[[Category:African American Boxers]]		[[Category:African American Boxers]]
	[[Category:IBHOF Members]]		[[Category:IBHOF Members]]

Boxing scholar: newspaper article on death of Harry Wills

2012-02-05T05:05:58Z

newspaper article on death of Harry Wills

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:05, 5 February 2012
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	*CBZ [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/wills-h.htm page]		*CBZ [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/wills-h.htm page]


			== Newspaper Article ==

			*Harry Wills dies at age 66, AP - December 22, 1958 [http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I3ZhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4wAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7591%2C6097895]

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Wills, Harry}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Wills, Harry}}
	[[Category:African American Boxers]]		[[Category:African American Boxers]]
	[[Category:IBHOF Members]]		[[Category:IBHOF Members]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:34, 1 February 2014
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	[[File:~~WillsHarry4~~.jpg\|left\|thumb\|~~250px\|~~]]		[[File:Harry Wills U161386INP.jpg\|left\|225px\|thumb\|Harry Wills]]
	[[file:Ibhof-logo.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Class of 1992<br>Old Timer Category<br>Hall of Fame bio:[http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/oldtimer/wills.html click]]]		[[file:Ibhof-logo.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Class of 1992<br>Old Timer Category<br>Hall of Fame bio:[http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/oldtimer/wills.html click]]]
	<boxer>017615</boxer>		<boxer>017615</boxer>
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	'''Harry Wills''' was a heavyweight contender during the late 1910s and 1920s. He was widely seen as [[World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Jack Dempsey]]'s top contender. Wills was unable to secure a title shot due to the controversial color line in boxing, which prevented men of color from fighting for the heavyweight title.<br><br>		'''Harry Wills''' was a heavyweight contender during the late 1910s and 1920s. He was widely seen as [[World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Jack Dempsey]]'s top contender. Wills was unable to secure a title shot due to the controversial color line in boxing, which prevented men of color from fighting for the heavyweight title.<br><br>
	Wills held the [[World Colored Heavyweight Championship]] and fought the best black fighters of the era. He fought [[Sam Langford]] 18 times, [[Sam McVea]] ~~five~~ times, and [[Joe Jeannette]] twice.<br><br>		Wills held the [[World Colored Heavyweight Championship]] and fought the best black fighters of the era. He fought [[Sam Langford]] 18 times, [[Sam McVea]] 5 times, [[Battling Jim Johnson]] 4 times and [[Joe Jeannette]] twice.<br><br>
	~~In 1908,~~ [[Jack Johnson]] became the first black man to fight for the heavyweight title, and he made the most of his opportunity, dominating champion [[Tommy Burns]] and stopping him in [[Tommy Burns vs. Jack Johnson\|fourteen rounds]]. After Johnson lost his title to "White Hope" [[Jess Willard]] in 1915, it would be twenty-two years before another black man got a shot at the heavyweight title.<br><br>		[[Jack Johnson]] became the first black man to fight for the heavyweight title in 1908, and he made the most of his opportunity, dominating champion [[Tommy Burns]] and stopping him in [[Tommy Burns vs. Jack Johnson\|fourteen rounds]]. After Johnson lost his title to "White Hope" [[Jess Willard]] in 1915, it would be twenty-two years before another black man got a shot at the heavyweight title.<br><br>
	After Dempsey beat Willard for the title in 1919, he announced that he would draw the color line. ~~Depsey~~'s promoter, [[Tex Rickard]], wanted nothing to do with a mixed-race fight. He promoted the [[Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries]] fight in 1910, which resulted in deadly riots following Johnson's win. Rickard said would he would never again promote such a fight.<br><br>		After Dempsey beat Willard for the title in 1919, he announced that he would draw the color line. Dempsey's promoter, [[Tex Rickard]], wanted nothing to do with a mixed-race fight. He promoted the [[Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries]] fight in 1910, which resulted in deadly riots following Johnson's win. Rickard said would he would never again promote such a fight.<br><br>
	During Dempsey's title reign, pressure mounted for him to defend against Wills. In a poll conducted by more than 500 newspapers, Wills was picked as the boxer the public most wanted to see Dempsey fight. Wills got 131,073 votes. [[Tommy Gibbons]] finished second, trailing by about 6,000 votes<br><br>		During Dempsey's title reign, pressure mounted for him to defend against Wills. In a poll conducted by more than 500 newspapers, Wills was picked as the boxer the public most wanted to see Dempsey fight. Wills got 131,073 votes. [[Tommy Gibbons]] finished second, trailing by about 6,000 votes<br><br>
	On May 1, 1924, Rickard announced that Dempsey and Wills would fight ~~in September~~ in Jersey City, New Jersey, ~~Then~~ on ~~July 5, he~~ made ~~the~~ counter-announcement that Dempsey would not fight in 1924.<br><br> On March 6, 1925, the New York State Athletic Commission issued an ultimatum that Dempsey must agree to fight Wills within twenty-four hours. When that didn't happen, Dempsey was barred from fighting in New York State. Rickard said he received a hint from Governor Al Smith that such a match wasn't desired, but James A. Farley, chairman of the commission, emphatically denied the report.<br><br>		On May 1, 1924, Rickard announced that Dempsey and Wills would fight at Boyle's Thirty Acres in Jersey City, New Jersey, on September 6. Rickard then made a counter-announcement on July 5, stating that Dempsey would not fight in 1924.<br><br> On March 6, 1925, the [[New York State Athletic Commission]] issued an ultimatum that Dempsey must agree to fight Wills within twenty-four hours. When that didn't happen, Dempsey was barred from fighting in New York State. Rickard said he received a hint from Governor Al Smith that such a match wasn't desired, but James A. Farley, chairman of the commission, emphatically denied the report.<br><br>
	"I would have fought Wills," Dempsey told the New York Post in 1953, "but nobody would promote it. When Wills challenged, Tex Rickard would have nothing to do with the fight. He said he had instructions from Washington not to promote a mixed[-race] bout for the heavyweight title."<br><br>		"I would have fought Wills," Dempsey told the ''New York Post'' in 1953, "but nobody would promote it. When Wills challenged, Tex Rickard would have nothing to do with the fight. He said he had instructions from Washington not to promote a mixed[-race] bout for the heavyweight title."<br><br>
	In September 1925, Dempsey and Wills traveled to Benton Harbor, Michigan and signed for a 1926 title fight with promoter Floyd Fitzsimmons. Wills received $50,000 as his guarantee for signing the contract. Dempsey was to receive $125,000. Unfortunately, the fight never happened. This is what Dempsey wrote in a ~~1963~~ article:<br><br>		In September 1925, Dempsey and Wills traveled to Benton Harbor, Michigan and signed for a 1926 title fight with promoter Floyd Fitzsimmons. Wills received $50,000 as his guarantee for signing the contract. Dempsey was to receive $125,000. Unfortunately, the fight never happened. This is what Dempsey wrote in a 1950 [[:File:Jack Dempsey Ebony February 1950.JPG\|''Ebony'']] article:<br><br>
	:"As the date of the fight grew nearer and my money did not appear, I became anxious and asked Fitzsimmons what was the matter. He wired me to meet him in Dayton, Ohio, assuring me that he would have the money for me there. I met Fitzsimmons, who handed me a certified check for ~~$25,000~~ and a promise to let me have the balance almost immediately. I balked at that, demanding the full amount right away. Fitzsimmons tried to placate me by calling the bank where he said he had deposited the money. The bank, unfortunately for Fitzsimmons, informed him that it did not have that much money on hand, that there wasn’t enough to cover the ~~$25,000~~ check he had given me. Furious, I returned the check to Fitzsimmons and told him the fight was off."<br><br>		:"The facts clearly show that in 1926 I tried desperately to arrange a fight with Harry Wills but the deal collapsed when my guarantee was not forthcoming. Wills and I had signed to fight with a promoter named Floyd Fitzsimmons of Benton Harbor, Michigan. Wills, I understand, received fifty thousand dollars as his guarantee for signing the contract. I was to have received one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in advance of the fight. As the date of the fight grew nearer and my money did not appear, I became anxious and asked Fitzsimmons what was the matter. He wired me to meet him in Dayton, Ohio, assuring me that he would have the money for me there. I met Fitzsimmons in Dayton who handed me a certified check for twenty-five thousand dollars and a promise to let me have the balance almost immediately. I balked at that, demanding the full amount right away. Fitzsimmons tried to placate me by calling the bank where he said he had deposited the money. The bank, unfortunately for Fitzsimmons, informed him that it did not have that much money on hand, that there wasn’t enough to cover the twenty-five thousand dollar check he had given me. Furious, I returned the check to Fitzsimmons and told him the fight was off. Later, the Fitzsimmons syndicate financing the fight sued me for failure to honor a contract. I won the case."<br><br>
	~~In September 1926,~~ Dempsey [[Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney (1st meeting)\|lost]] the title to [[Gene Tunney]] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The following month, 37-year-old Wills [[Jack Sharkey vs. Harry Wills\|lost]] to [[Jack Sharkey]]. All talk of a ~~Jack~~ Dempsey ~~vs. Harry~~ Wills fight was now over.<br><br>		Dempsey [[Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney (1st meeting)\|lost]] the title to [[Gene Tunney]] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in September 1926. The following month, 37-year-old Wills [[Jack Sharkey vs. Harry Wills\|lost]] to [[Jack Sharkey]]. All talk of a Dempsey-Wills fight was now over.<br><br>
	Wills retired from boxing in 1932 at the age of 43. He invested his ring earnings in real estate and became a successful businessman. Wills died from diabetes on December 21, 1958. He left an estate valued at over $100,000, including a 19-family apartment building in upper Harlem.~~<br><br>~~		Wills retired from boxing in 1932 at the age of 43. He invested his ring earnings in real estate and became a successful businessman. Wills died from diabetes on December 21, 1958. He left an estate valued at over $100,000, including a 19-family apartment building in upper Harlem.
	== ~~Factoids~~ ==

			== Notes ==
	*Wills was called both "The Black Panther" and "The Brown Panther."		*Wills was called both "The Black Panther" and "The Brown Panther."
	*Wills served as a sparring partner for ~~heavyweight champion~~ [[Jack Johnson]] when Johnson was training ~~for his July 4, 1912, title defense against~~ [[Fireman Jim Flynn]]. The ''Kansas City Star'' reported that in a June 9 sparring session, Wills~~, who had been a pro for just a year and a half,~~ "did his best, but his best was not much and Johnson called for Marty Cutler after Wills had been on duty for three rounds."		*In his second year as a professional, Wills served as a sparring partner for World Heavyweight Champion [[Jack Johnson]] when Johnson was training to fight [[Fireman Jim Flynn]] on July 4, 1912. The ''Kansas City Star'' reported that in a June 9 sparring session, Wills "did his best, but his best was not much, and Johnson called for [[Marty Cutler]] after Wills had been on duty for three rounds."


	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
	*[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00A17F93F5E157A93C4A9178CD85F4D8185F9 Jack Dempsey, New Heavyweight Champion, Announces He Will Draw The Color Line - "New York Times" - July 6, 1919]		*[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00A17F93F5E157A93C4A9178CD85F4D8185F9 "Jack Dempsey, New Heavyweight Champion, Announces He Will Draw The Color Line" - The ''New York Times'' - July 6, 1919]
	*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d8lPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yVMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2866,5569898&dq=dempsey+harry+wills&hl=en Fight Fans Pick Wills As Best Bet - "The Evening Independent" - March 13, 1922]		*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d8lPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yVMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2866,5569898&dq=dempsey+harry+wills&hl=en "Fight Fans Pick Wills As Best Bet" - The ''Evening Independent'' - March 13, 1922]
	*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2211&dat=19320402&id=tkxGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=f-UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4376,2712903 Death of Paddy Mullins, Manager of Harry Wills, Revives Old Memories - "The Afro-American" - April 2, 1932]		*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2211&dat=19320402&id=tkxGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=f-UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4376,2712903 "Death of Paddy Mullins, Manager of Harry Wills, Revives Old Memories" - The ''Afro-American'' - April 2, 1932]
	*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l_ExAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7eIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4388,1313695&dq=harry+wills&hl=en "Brown Panther" Harry Wills Dead - "Ottawa Citizen" - December 22, 1958]		*[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l_ExAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7eIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4388,1313695&dq=harry+wills&hl=en "'Brown Panther' Harry Wills Dead" - The ''Ottawa Citizen'' - December 22, 1958]
	*[http://www.606v2.com/t11575-1963-article-by-jack-dempsey 1963 article by Jack Dempsey]		*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/vieilles_annonces/6043266569/ "Former Heavyweight Boxer Harry Wills Leaves $100,000 Estate" - ''Jet'' - January 15, 1959]
	*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/vieilles_annonces/6043266569/ Former Heavyweight Boxer Harry Wills Leaves $100,000 Estate - "Jet ~~Magazine"~~ - January 15, 1959]		*[http://www.606v2.com/t11575-1963-article-by-jack-dempsey "Why Negroes Rule Boxing" by Jack Dempsey - ''Ebony'' - February 1950]
	*[http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3492743 Iconic Dempsey exemplified the Roaring '20s - ESPN.com - July 12, 2008]		*[http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3492743 "Iconic Dempsey exemplified the Roaring '20s" - ESPN.com - July 12, 2008]
	*[http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/wills-h.htm Cyber Boxing Zone page]		*[http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/wills-h.htm Cyber Boxing Zone page]