A photograph of Jess Willard training for a heavyweight boxing match against Floyd Johnson. Jess Willard, a St. Clere, Kansas, native, was a professional heavyweight boxer and world heavyweight champion from 1915 to 1919. Willard was also known as the "Pottawatomie Giant" and won the world heavyweight champion title by defeating another giant, the "Galveston Giant" Jack Johnson. In 1919, Jack Dempsey defeated Willard to claim the world heavyweight champion title. Willard returned to the ring a few times after loosing the title fight to Dempsey, including a May 1923 match against Floyd Johnson, won by Willard through technical knockout during the 11th round. Willard officially retired to southern California in 1923. Out of the boxing ring, Willard eventually became a successful business man in the real estate and supermarket industry. He also pursued a profession in movies and vaudeville shows. Due to congestive heart failure, Willard died on December 15, 1968.

Date: 1923