Jess Willard’s Real Name and Boxing Biography
Jess Willard’s full name was Jess Myron Willard, as recorded by the Rossville Community Library’s genealogy collection. His nicknames included “the Pottawatomie Giant” and “the Kansas Giant.”
- Known as
- Jess Willard
- Full or birth name
- Jess Myron Willard
- Category
- Boxers
Biography
Jess Willard became world heavyweight champion by defeating Jack Johnson in Havana in 1915. A former cowboy from Kansas, he entered professional boxing at an unusually late age: the International Boxing Hall of Fame places the start of his career at 29.
Willard’s height and reach were central to his public identity. The Pottawatomie Giant connected him to his Kansas origins, while the Kansas Giant was another documented nickname. Neither is a different personal name.
After winning the championship, Willard appeared with touring shows and retained the title against Frank Moran. He lost to Jack Dempsey in Toledo, Ohio, on July 4, 1919. Their filmed contest ended after three completed rounds when Willard failed to answer the next bell.
The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame records his birth on December 29, 1881, and death on December 15, 1968. Its entry contains some bout-statistic details that differ from other boxing histories, so this profile does not rely on those totals.
The library’s genealogy record lists Jess Myron Willard. Jess is not expanded to Jesse; Myron is the documented middle name.
Names and nicknames
The Pottawatomie Giant; the Kansas Giant.
Archival film connection
Jack Dempsey vs Jess Willard (1919).
Frequently asked questions
What name is documented for Jess Willard?
Jess Willard’s full name was Jess Myron Willard, as recorded by the Rossville Community Library’s genealogy collection. His nicknames included “the Pottawatomie Giant” and “the Kansas Giant.”
Which archival footage is associated with Jess Willard?
Jack Dempsey vs Jess Willard (1919).
Sources
Further reading: Kansas Sports Hall of Fame · PBS: the 1919 fight · Wikipedia