The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-06
NICHE IN F|ST|C

| NICHE IN f|ST|C
| Continued from First Page)
This was for the benefit of the bat
terry of moving picture machines, Of
which there were FIVE. The princi-
pals had met earlier with Welch in
their DRESSING rooms. where the ques-
ton of rules was gone over CarefL lily.
Heavy clouds were hanging low ard
many wore overcoats as protection
against the chill wind when time fin
ally was called at 1913 o'clock. John
sons weight was announced as AT
pounds. although he looked heavier.
and IT was whispered that the real
poundage was some fifteen pounds
more. Wizards weight was 23s
pounds. the announcer said.
The mea shook hands. the bell
changed, and the history making fight
was under way. Johnson started a
left jah, which fell short, because ne
merely was attempting TO draw VIII
lard on, but the white man jerked
his head back and fe!nted very de-
liberately, so much, in fact, that IT
caused a laugh. But this merely was
a torerunner OF what was to follow
many times. johnson walked in close
and Willard fairly fell into a clinch.
Johnson tried to uppercut as the hug
ging match was repeated. but the blow
lacked force. Then the negro began
TO dan e about. jabbing with his left
and shooting the right for WIZARDS
head without doing any damage. Even
this slight exertion started Johnson
10 pulling, and he said to his seconds
during the minute respite that he was
going 10 box slow for a time.
Willard Is Cautious.
For the next few rounds willard
continued cautious and worked large
" On the defensive. making most of
his play for the negroes corpulent
stomach when they came close enough
to take a chance without exposing his
+ jaw. Johnson also was crafty, bat let
so few vicious swings that rocked
Wizards head. Not making any great
amount OF Roadway by this method.
Johnson cut loose in the fifth and
started to rough IL. He soon found
that he had met his equal in strength
and could not manhandie Willard as
he did Jeffries and some of his earlier
opponents. one left that fou1d the
pit of jess stomach made him vince
and hold his guard low as though the
blow hurt. Jonr son lowered his arms
for a moment and made some jibe.
OF sudden Johnson made a sudden
dash that carried willard to Z ropes.
Wizards hands were busy In the en-
forced exchange. and Jack emerged
with a bleeding mouth. Emboldened
by the sight, Willard caught Johnson
with right ciout on the side of the
head just as the bell rang.
johnson was breathing hard when
they resumed. but he lost no time In
taa nj n ~ his and ewing
ing with both hands. willard took
considerable punishment IN this ses-
sion. His hurts included q cut cheek
bone from one OF Johnson's swings
that landed high. This sting seemed
TO arouse him, and he showed a sud-
den rally. but went back to his wait
Ing tactics a moment later.
In the seventh round Wizards body
began to show mottled red spots from
the tattoo OF blows which johnson
showered in seeming desperation. IA
stead OF ia hhing and waiting an open
ing for his right johnson again be-
gan to fail away with both hands. Will
lard merely jabbed back. aad a trace
OF crimson appeared from the Negroes
mouth Every time this color appear
ed IL seemed to stir Willard. In the
eighth round he let fly one OF his oc-
casional leads and as his right hand
grazed Johnson's head II threw him
off his balance and he went founder
ing.
Negro Tires In Ninth
Johnson's efforts began to tire him
as early az the ninth round. he was
blowing hard and began to look so
worried that one enthusiast waved q
roll of gteruracks ami offered to bet
500 to $400 that willard would win.
This shout OF defiance was lost In the
~ies of announcement 10 the two
fighters.
johnson kept up an offensive in
the tenth period that merely maze
Willard little more cautious and
ended without gaining the black much
advantage. Once he got through the
guard with his famous right punch.
brought from far back. Willard rock
ed. but did not turn a hair, and john
son was SO furious that he rushed and
carried the white man to the ropes
without landing a single clean blow
Goth rested up in the eleventh. which
had little real action. Johnson con-
tinually tainted his opponent in
/ low tone. Presumably this was a
volley OF abuse. but IL failed OF It's
purpose. for willard made no reply,
/ nor did he alter his tactics In the
slightest degree.
The twelfth was one of the best
rounds johnson showed. His old skin
was in evidence. and he boxed with
great precision. Willard jabbed in
reply to dozen well placed blows,
and the white mans face was smeared
with red when he went TO his corner.
Wizards gameness was tested again
in the thirteenth. for johnson landed
I hard and clean with both hands. draw
ing the whites guard down with a
left for the body and bringing the
right over to the head with precision
and all the force at his command.
Had it been the old Johnson. Willard
must have sunk under any one OF flve
of these right hand smashes, But
right here II became apparent that
tho cd sting really was lacking. for
Willard weathered the storm and went
Laughing to his corner. 1t was the
first sign Of anything like mirth that
had lighted up the sombre face of