Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-01-29
HEAVYWEIGHTS
GETTING READY
FOR THE fight
Promoters of Johnson Willard
Affair Take Preliminary
IL Steps
Associated Pressl

: NEW YORK, n. Y.-Plans for the
Johnson-W Willard championship battle
at Juarez, Mex, on March 6. are rap
idly being completed. The promoters
have established permanent quarters,
at FL Paso, just across the interna-
tional boundary, and mapped out a
loRg list of details which must be ar
ranged before the principals enter the
ring. Training quarters for champion
and challenger have been selected and
the preliminary workout will begin
within the next two weeks. Il.
Willard will do his conditioning in
the suburbs of Ell Paso, where the sum
mer home Of one of the leading citi-
zens has been placed at his disposal.
Located on one of the principal bou-
levards of the city It will be easy of
access and with the surrounding
grounds and stables afford excellent
facilities for both indoor and outdoor
work. Johnson will prepare on the
Mexican side of the Rio Grande.
Training quarters have been secured
for him in the Juarez Opera House
and accommodations for himself and
staff Of helpers in nearby cottage.
Both pugilists are planning to ar
rive at the training camps early next
month in order that they may become
accustomed to the rarified atmosphere
Both Ell Paso and Juarez have an aIti-
tude of close to 1000 feet and training
conditions are vastly different from
those prevailing at lower levels.
This was brought out sharply in
the Johnson-J effries contest In 1910.
After spending some weeks in condi-
tioning at close to sea level near San
Francisco the camps were shifted to
Reno, when the governor ordered the
pugilists out of California. The change
to the Nevada town at an altitude of
approximately 1900 feet set back the
training fully week while principals
and helpers we're adapting themselves
to the lighter air.. s..s-..s
Under the present schedule the box.
ers will have from four to five weeks
in which to prepare for the contest,
which is none too long under the cir
cumstances. Willard is expected to
start his serious work at Ell Paso on
or about February I, and Johnson is
due to arrive at Juarez about ten
days later BY that date the arrange
ments for staging the battle will have
been fully completed Material for
the ring and stands will be assembled
and the construction details worked
out.
According TO the present plans the
ring proper will be erected on the
race track Of the Juarez course in
such manner that a portion Of the
present concrete stands can be utiliz-
ed. Between the permanent stands
and the track the lawn will be used
for other seats and boxes while on
the track side of the ring will be the
bleaehef seats. Prices will range
from S. to $25 and each coupon will
entitle the holder to a numbered seat
Accommodation for about "a, 900 spec
tators will be provided.
From the center of Ell Paso to the
Juarez race course IS trip of about
ten minutes, the spectators crossing
the international bridge spanning the.
Rio Grande, which separates the two
countries at this point Once in Mex
leo the visitor will witness the novel
spectacle of prize fight under gov
eminent sanction and control. Next,
cam troops will police the course and
the ring within, Gen. Villa having
agreed to assign some 1000 soldiers
for this service on the day of the con-
test. 49, Fl