We'll never know. All I know is that Demposey would have flattened him with or withou the railroad spike. Willard was never a good fighter IMO, just right place right time. Haven't seen the fight for some time, but I always remember that some of the shots Dempsey landed looked weird, like he was swinging his straight arm around like a stick, hitting Willard with the side of his fist, looked more like clubbing him than punching him.
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