The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-13
AFRAID Of FIGHT
N. Y. Sport Writers Expect
Dreary Bout at Juarex.
They Intimate Willard Is q
SOw's Ear, Too.

What kind of show will Jess Will
lard and Jack johnson put on when
they meet in the squared circle IN
Juarez on March 6?
Is there anything about the affair
that smells like a Johnson-Moran fix!
Will it be as frosty as the average fight
in Mexico? Docs Willard really ex-
pect to win, or is he just trying to fat
ten his bank roll at the expense OF his
reputation and the wallets of a guilt
BILE public?
These are a few of the questions that
are going the rounds these days, ana
they are causing many arguments
among the Grogoes and GrouchOes who
pretend to know something about the
matter.
Around in these parts Willard proba-
bly, has as strong a following as ne
has anywhere in the United States and
there are many who can tell you just
how he can knock the kinks out OF
Johnson's hair and why he ought to do
it. But, in the east a different opinion
prevails, and the knowing ones CD are
handing out a tip to steer clear OF the
whole affair.
The following story. sent out from
New York, the self-styled hub Of the
boxing universe, will give an idea OF
-
that city:
The New York Story.
New York Jan. 13.-The Johnson
Willard match for the heavyweight
championship, which will be held at
Juarez, Mexico. March 6. according to
the announcement made by Jack Cur
ley, is not attracting much interest
here, although the stakes are high.
johnson will receive $4,000 win, lose
or draw. Willard has been assured a
minimum of $4,000.
Both fighters are said to have posted
five-thousand-dollar forfeits in the
hands of Bob Vernon. official stake
holder.
Willard has arranged to leave i'm
mediately for Excelsior Springs. Mo-,
where he will drink the waters and
take the mineral baths, and will then
proceed to Ell Paso, where his train
ing quarters await him.
Promoter Curley insists that Jim
Jeffries and Tom Sharkey will be in
Wizards camp to help him with their
dvice. Jim Flynn will be sparrinG
p;rtner-in-c chief.
The big fight, however, still fails to
look good to New York sport writer's
Billy Gibson and his Havana Offer
have been refused, and the Mexican
promoters, probably ided by the men
who control Willard, will pull off the
event. II IS not a SWeet-SncIlnS 0Om
bination. When the club controls one
of the participants in a bout, it IL
just as well to leave your money al
home under the vase on the piano
Betting a cent under such conditions
Is contributory negligence to your owl
Bankruptcy.
Stories OF willard Doubted.
The stories about the tremendou,
amount Of confidence Willard feels II
himself form another angle tina
makes no hit with those who have fol
lowed his career. Willard is a capa
BILE fighter who has never yet, as fal
as has ever been h -rd or seen, Tough
up to his best or tried to, except wheY
badly stung by an opponents punch
1t Is impossible to make a silk purst
of sow's ear, and. by the same token
the fairy tales about Wizards having
su denly become aggressive and de
mon of defense, are being taken will
grain of salt. In Johnson he will
meet a man who prefers to let tn,
other fellow do the forcing. AS viii
lard is somewhat the same, the bou
may prove to be an EXCEPTIONAL!
dreary affair. The Indications that 1
will be such are so strong that mos
people would rather have the none,
than a round-trip ticket to Juarez.