Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-05
STAGE IS ALL SET FOR
CHAMPIONSHIP CONTEST
Americans Flock to Cuba, All Hopinp
for Willard Victory Over
Johnson.
FIGHTERS TAKE 1T VERY EASY
10th Men Express Confidence in
their Ability to Trim Other.
Writer Finds Little Evidence That
Much Money Is Being Displayed.
by DAMON RUNYoS.

very American In Cuba apparently
anticipating nothing but n pleasant af-
'eFnoon In watching the re-esta blish
"eht or the much-vaunted supremacy
Oh the well-known race. the stage is all
SET Tor the Johnson Willard buttle to-
morrow.
several additional boatloads OF fight
tevered fans were unloaded in Havana
Today, increasing the volume of sound
IN the vicinity OF the Plaza Hotel and
enriching the cabbies
The fstic frenzy has now completely
enveloped the Cubans as we'll as the
: americans. Nothing is discussed in
The clubs and cafes but the fight. On
every corner brown-skinncd small boys
. are seen squaring off at one another by
way OF illustrating the Americana
amusement
think my original estimate that tho
attendance from tho States Will not
exceed 5000 holds. but the American
colony and the natives will make up
Tho main body OF what is certain to be
big crowd at Curley Browns race
track Tomorrow. Curley gets in on
the big pot because the promoters have
lacked an additional dollar to all the
admissions to pay for the races which
follow.
There has been mighty little betting.
carefully traced the wild stories OF
big wagers heard around town and
have found most of them to be con-
versations. The Willard men want
TO J.. despite rumors that willard is
the favorite, with little money in sight
on either man.
No big Bets Found.
| doubt II as much az $4,000 In real
coin has been laid here all told includ-
Ing several big bets which the pro-
moters say they have heard OF. but
which cannot be verified.
Howard Trumbo. president of the
American Club and a business associ-
ate of Captain huston. perpetrated a
Joke on the fight followers by sending
n rumor around the Plaza Hotel that
f he had bet $500 on willard, against
500. AS matter OF fact Trumbo
admits his belief that II the fight IS
on the level Johnson will WIN with
ridiculous ease. but he is not betting
nickel
Johnson says he Is still willing to bet
10000 on himself.
Both the fighters issued the custom
airy statements day. each expressing
i
Willard rambled around town n bit
to-day, and this evening went to bed
early. Jess Is II simple soul. and
seems to take 10 great pleasure In
mIngling with the throng. His chief
delight IL in the company OF two boy
hood friends from Kansas.
Wizards chief subject Of conversa-
ton is the farm he is DING to buy
in Kansas II he wins the fight. From
tho way Jess talks. one would think
that he intends to retire for good i'm
- mediately after the battle. while Tom
Jones, In extensive conversation.
makes II certain that the jay-hawker
will not enter the ring again for at
least year-if he wins.
willard Sleeps Well.
Reports tonight from the willard
camp had the long farmer slunbcring
peacefully. ms far as could be Judged.
From outward appearances Jess is not
greatly worried over the fight He
says he is going to battle carefully,
but that would be his way of bat
Ting. anyway, as matter of Instinct.
He speaks of Johnson without
animus and appears to be not half as
Violently enraged about Il black man
holding the championship as the rest
of the white race.
Some camp follower described him
day as "yap." but zap or no yap,
willard is in grand physical condition,
while when all Is said and done, his
opponent is portly colored person
IF willard isn't n yellow dog, he
e. ought to win easily" Is the way one of
Iess's admirers put 1t.
other enthusiasts are predicting that
Johnson will collapse as quickly as
Jeffr!es did at Reno.
Johnson preserves his attitude OF in
Inference. l am still inclined to be-
ieve that he holds Willard cheaply-
maybe too cheaply.
1t should be remembered, however,
hat II Is possible that Willard may
Ftill be SO poor n fighter that even the
,lderly colored man can whip him.
Johnson Spends Quiet Evening.
Johnson spent the evening quietly at
home. as he has spent nearly every
kvening since he has been here The
big black seems to have reached the
,ipc and carpet -slippers-time Of his
life. He doesn't like to run around
much, and puts in his leisure hours
800 n playing pinocle with Bob Arm
trong and other camp followers
He has sent his cars to England and,
shile he rents one here. he does little
( other days. Even the old bull
ddle Of the Reno period has vanished.
Jack Curley called on the champion
: lst night. and played cards for SOW
raj hours. Curley winning $40 from
ohnson. The negro has none of the
fe Of gayety that was his chief char
cteristic In the early days of his
championship career.
The negro is more sleepy-eyed than
yer and more slothful and indolent
he physicians may claim his heart,
yer and lungs and all that are In
erfect condition, but the old spirit
as faded-the old snap is gone from
is every movement. The race horse
uild Of Reno memory has vanished
,rever. The muscles Of the chest and
onach are matted with fat, that may
Only the fat OF age. as is claimed
ut which is. nevertheless, fat that
1.