The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-04-05

| ing the first ten rounds, hoping to
 wear Johnson down and get an op- | portunity to land a Knockout blow.
 Willard was confident that if he could
 land two or three rights on Johnson
 the fight would soon end. Two hours prior to the time at l which the fight was set the ring was being actively completed. The heavy hemp ropes were wrapped twice with
 black tire tape. Great care was talk 1 en in preparing the floor beneath the
 red canvas covering and a score of
 regular red blankets.
 From two platforms moving picture
 machines were focused on the ring.
 Five machines comprised the battery three to be used regularly and two l held in reserve. There was great ex- l citement when it was discovered provision had been made for the bell rushed away to get one
 i Cubans began to reach the track | at half past 10 o'clock, several com panies of infantry and two troops of
 khaki-clad cavalry being then on the scene. The racecourae where the fight was being held is surrounded with green hills, some of which are topped with towering palms. The fight manage ment, seeing the possibility of moving Epicture machines. equipped with tell lescopic lenses operating from the hills had guards stationed at all the van tage points overlooking the fight arena. At Il o'clock the sun and cloudsl were still fighting for supremacy In the sky several very dark cloud banks were hanging over the sea and offer ing menace of rain.
 No big betting was reported at the ringside but the betting machines were quite Itberal1y patronized in amounts from two to 10 dollars. Bob Vernon, official stakeholder and timer for the fight, took his place at the ngside at noon- Otto F1oto, timer for Willard, and Sam Bennett, timer for Johnson. sat on either side of Vernon.
 President ldenocal arrived a few minutes after noon and took a seat in l a box in front of the grand stand, a few feet from the ring. He was pre-. ceded by the commanding officer of the Cuban army and navy. At this hour the crowd was pouring rapidly | and finding it's seats with compara- lively little confusion.
 Mardanao, Cuba, (Ringside, Orien- tai Park April 6The sun broke
 through a darkIy overcast sky as the crowds began to arrive at the scene ship fight between Jack Johnson. Of Texas and Jesse Willard, of Kansas. The setting for the battle was pie turesque. A ring had been erected directly in the race track. in front of the big steel grandstand which fur ] nished the principal seating facili- ties.
 In front of the erandatand the long
 slope leading to the track was, COW cred with the seats like those of a
 circus About the ring boxes were
 arranged.
 parent that the fight would not starr on time and might not begin until F o'clock. Johnson arrived at the track at 12:26 but did not appear un- iii later His wife came to the ring aide accompanied by Tom Flanagan who has been acting for Johnson. At half past 12 Announcev Jim Mace exhibited Johnson's receipt for $29,-F 900, the balance due him on the purse. and the meaning of these papers was l explained to the crowd in English and Spanish.
 The sun was shining brightly at 12:4o and at this hour jockeys were stretch in anticipation of the races late this afternoon. At o'clock neither fighter had appeared in the ring The attendance is estimated at about 15, ,0O0. Only a few Of the 1 $40 seats still vacant. The sun be- gan to beat down hotIy and all dan ger of rain seemed past. At Hi (1:40 New York time9. Johnson made his appearance, being
 applauded by the enthusiastic C1bans. One minute later he crawled through
 the ropes. clad in a gray bath robe l and wearing his usual golden snniIe.'' The negro,s first move was to ascer- tain where his wife was located. i Willard entered the ring at 1:20. Four minutes of prolonged yelling and cheering announced the appear ance of Willard. The crowd went wild over the young fight giant and screamed and clapped as he craw1ed through the ropes. Willard wore a heavy red sweater. blue trousers and 8 black sombrero.
 Tn the cha1lenger's corner were the following seconds; Wi1ard's manager, Tex O'Rourke, Jim Savage, Walter Monahan Johnson was seconded by Tom Flanagan. George Monroe, Sam
 McVeys Dave Mills and Bob Arm- strong.
 1 The two pug1Iists shook hands for the movies, then the ring gradually cleared of all except Referee Jack WeIch and the principals. Johnson objected to woman spectator in the press ringside seat and she retired to- ! an adjacent box. The negro stripped himself of his bathrobe and this
 showed him to be clad in bright blue trunks, no belt Willard wore dark
 blue trunks with an American flag belt
 Seconds from rival quarters care-- fully Inspected the adjustment of the
 gloves of both fighters. Both pugi-S lists weighed on scales in the ring. appeared considerably heavier.
 Time called at 1858 CNew York time.1
 At 1:2s the ring was ordered clear
 ed The pugilists then shook hands. r@-Aweq C-r r = ~r>q