Originally Posted by djday45
Willard is underated today and was a fighter with huge advantages and disadvantages a very individual fighter.
One thing im going to discuss here is how to model size advantages in the game. Now really this only comes up with the heavies as other divisions dont have the huge differences thrown up sometimes by the heavyweights.
Now 3 guys come to mind historically right away Willard, Carnera and Lewis as well as a lot more of the modern super heavies.
Willard and Carnera in particular were considered freaks of nature in their time but it has to be considered there huge advantage in physical height weight and reach was often a big advantage for them.
So how to model this within the game? as currently it has no catergories for relative size and strength. To my mind the blindingly obvious thing is to use Control Factor. If we already accept that control factors already model many variables that go into who is in control of a bout then size and strength advantages can go onto that list quite handily.
So in the following rating you will see Willards control factors increased quite handily, this does not model, skill, speed, or ring generalship, in his case it models sheer awesome size!
remember if a rating is not mentioned i agree with it.
CONDITIONING - 7 inactive - if ever a fighter deserves the inactive rating Willard does, he fought very few times, and as champ had to be practically dragged to the ring, putting the title in mothballs, he never liked or enjoyed boxing even less so after killing an opponent, he reportedly only fought because he had to.
CONTROL VS BOXER - 13 - Willards huge size and patient counter punching style was very, very effective against boxers and he had great success forcing fighters unused to it to punch and lead up at him, his truly massive size and strength and also that he had surpringly good footwork and mobility for a man his size made him hugely effective against them.
CONTROL VS SLUGGER - 10 - his size and style didnt help him nearly so much against sluugers and punchers however as they were quite happy coming foward and a fast slugger would beat him to the punch and his vast size became a distinct disadvantafe as the fights with Dempsey, Smith and Firpo proved. Truly a styles make fights type of fighter.
CHIN VS KNOCKDOWN - 2 - he had a good chin and was rarely hurt but could be reached.
CHIN VS KNOCKDOWN - 1 - very hard to stop and had great bravery he always got back up.
RECOVERY - 4 - here was his weakness, regarding his chin, when hurt he did tend to go into a kind of shocked stupor and could go down multiple times. he woul get back up but would take a pounding.
ABSORB PUNISHMENT - 1 - a dangerously brave man, Dempsey nearly killed him and still he wanted to fight on, with the above rating for his chin you should see Willard not hurt often but when he is taking a fearsome beating.
CUT RESISTANCE - 2 - was known to cut occasionally.
ENDURANCE - 10 - had amazing natural stamina and often simply out lasted and tired out his opponents letting his huge size do the work for him. The Johnson fight is a classic example.
DEFENSE - +4 - not exactly the fastest or most skilled fighter defensively, that huge body was a very temping target for a skilled, quick puncher.
FAST STARTER - 3 - a pretty well known slow starter who took him time to warm up, Dempsey didnt give him that time.
HITTING POWER - 11 - a huge thundering strong puncher with single shots, who killed a man and was never quite the same puncher afterwards, his right hand was said to be a chopping, heavy fight stopping punch.
PUNCHES LANDED - 34 - was terribly terribly slow especially when made to lead, he was only really and effective counter puncher, was pretty crude offense wise and missed often and badly.
COUNTERPUNCHING - 40 - the paradox was he was a talented counterer and had his most success here.
PUNCHES LANDED - 65 - to reflect his lack of technicue he will often be seen to be missing.
OVERALL RATING - 9 - a strange fighter who you will have a lot of fun with Willards fights will either be snorefests or wild see saw affairs or see him get pummeled from pillar to post.
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