Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-01
AR|STOCRACY OF HAVANA
BUYS R|NCs|DE BOXES
Campaign i'll Papers Cause 400" to
Rush to Support of the Will
lard-Johnson Fight.
MANY AMERICANS ARR
Willard Supporters Hold Out for
Three to One Odds-i,cts of One
and Onc-Half to One That Battle
Will Not Go Over Twenty Rounds.

HAVANA. March 31.-lntereSt in the
coming Jack Johnson-Jcss willard tight
FOR the heavyweight championship in
creased appreciably to-day. Seat sales
We're more numerous than on any pre-
NiouS uaE, ana many box reservations
We're made.
The promoters seem to have won the
ears or the editors of several or the big
havana dailies, for these papers. here
tofore lukewarm toward the scrap, have
p,"egun 20 support ii warmly TO. day
and doomed IL as a society event at
which lIavana's 400" Will gather and
cheer the two Queensbury gladiators.
AS result of this campaign dozens
of the most ariStocratic families In ila-
v:lna have reserved ringsidc boxes, ana
and clap hands for the fighters. as they
arc wont to the madors OF the bull
ring.
\ steady influx of Americans also is
having an appreciablc effect on the
seat sales, and the fact that Jess Will
iard to-day uncovered new and par
ticularly vicious left swing, which no.
body suspected him of packing around
also has added To the box Office uplift
with the arrival OF American fight
fans more money is commencing to he
offered but so far few bets of any size
have been made. owing to the fact that
wizard supporters are holding out for
odds of to !. while the JohnSOuitcS
are unwilling to offer more than to
!. at the outside. There is considerable
betting AT odds OF one and onc-half to
one that the fight will not go over
twenty rounds.
Temporary stands are being erected
at Oriental Park to accommodate the
hEht rams and the sound OF the ham
iner mingled with the call OF the bugle
during to-day's races. Everybody is
place to hold the fight. but it is n case
Of you tickle me and I'll tickle YOU"
The night will draw n, crowd. and as
mediatcly after the fight. the book
makers should rean II harvest The
track officials arc doing cvcrvthinr In
tlaniy 81,
THIS was Iohnson's thirty-seventh
birthday. and the big smoke celebrated
IT ny climbing out of the blankets at 6
miles over the Cuban roads. while n
motion picture operator trailed along
and snapped his every movement.
In the afternoon Johnson worked out
lot Of his surplus energy shadow
boxing and pass ing the medicine ball.
and then began to use up his sparrinE
partner. He was roughcr to-day than
at any time since he has been In train
ing. and his three sparring partners
We're a much battered crew when he
called II day. He boxed four rounds
with Steamboat lill Scott and steam
boat Bin went 10 the cleaners after
stopping several left swings with va
rious parts of his anatomy.
Bob Armstrong came next for four
rounds and retired gracefully In favor
pion,s rushes FOR three rounds. Ac-
cording to Johnson himself he now
weighs 223 pounds.
and some 300 OF the fair sex and 700
men watched the big cowboy work
out: Willard showed the benefits Of
with his sparring partners and finish
ing in good shape. He showed no evil
dence OF being tired by his hard days
work.
willard showed, plenty of speed in
rounds each with Monaghan. Tamp-
shadow boxing. exercised the pulleys,
wrestlcd fifteen minutes with Tax
oRurke and then somebody put a fox
trot record on the photograph and he
DANCED for ten minutes.
willard has reduced his roadwork
10 tour rifles day. his trainers figure
ing aside from boxing. Willard now
weighs 2+2 pounds. and expects TO
inp down dow to 2a5 before he quits train
pounds before he enters the ring
II was during his bout with Savage
swing; which has fight fans here talk
ing. IL was the first time he has used
IL. and 1t showed almost as much power
boxing campaign for tho next three
days. lie will devote practically his
entire time 10 this end during the re-
rhysci nSs tn to CAMP Is ri
is in marvellous physical condition He
IS confident that he will be able to
he will take no chances of leaving
himself open and will fight cautious
battle from the start
Fearing race riots at the fight. Presi-
dent Menocal has ordered three sound
rr9onS Of cavalry. $50 rural guards and
ia infantrvIncn to patrol the race
course during the battle.
rive hundred other officers and mem
bers of the Cuban army who will he
present as spectators also Will be ready
70 shoulder arms at a minutes notice
II an outbreak occurs
Fight officials will name an alternate
referee tomorrow.