The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-03
Betting Odds on Big Fight Take
Sudden Change.
RumOr Is Out That There Is a
Frame-Up.
FITzSIMMONS ON THE BLACK
But Tommy Burns Says Willard
Is Sure Winner.
Kansas Cowboy Is in Perfect
Physical Condition.

havana April "a SeIi91IiOiio-
squirt of betting on Mondays world
championship bout brought a change
in odds today and favored Jesse VIII
lard The prevailing figures were 6
to on the Kansas cowboy winning.
Friday nights quotation of Z to .,
with johnson on the good end, veered
suddenly around to even money.
There was a wild rumor flying about
that the tip had been given out that 1t
was agreed Willard should win. Where
it originated no one knew. The flght
promoters Indignantly denied any plan
and insisted the sudden shift in odds
was due to the big influx of fight fans
from the states, weighed down with
coin and intent on taking the white
mans burden.
Already the seat sale has reached
100000 and 100000 crowd is ex-
pected.
Havana, April 3.-With both fight
ers claiming perfection of condition
for Mondays championship of the
world set to, the keenest interest was
manifested by fight fans early today
in the showing Jack Johnson will
make against Sam McVey in the six
round exhibition bout this afternoon.
Curley's pleadings of possible in
jury to Johnson, requiring postpone
ment of the championship battle,
were unavailing. The big black in
sists he will get good workout in
the McVey mill and won't get hurt.
One thing is certain-the Johnson
McVey workout won't be a love feast
McVey is one of the trio of tar
babies including Langford and John
son, the McVey and Langford portion
of which have always believed they
were just as good as Johnson but who
have mourned the fact that circum-
stances gave Johnson the chance to
grab the title. Johnson would never
give them fight. Langford was once
reported to have travelled all the way
across the continent simply 10 get a
chance to take up a bombastic chal-
lenge by Johnson, then doing the
atrics, that he would fight six rounds
johnson backed out when Langford
was spotted
Would Square Things.
McVey is reported to have made
peace with johnson but nevertheless
those who know the crafty black man
insist he will do his best this after
noon to square things.
Final workouts in both camps We're
the best so far staged. Willard made
an exceptionally brilliant showing, ap-
parently cutting loose. His footwork
was beyond the expectations of even
his most en- -husiastic hackers. The
cowboys physical condition is mar
velous. OF the 1.-the muscled type, he
is now in the top notch of physical
condition.
Referee Welsh arrived today. The
city is packed and jammed with fight
fans. Every available sort of steamer
has been pressed into service between
Havana and Key West to bring fans
here and still it was reported that
there were 5000 people in the Flor
ida towns unable to obtain passage.
Welsh Lands Safely.
Jack Welsh, who will referee the
fight, landed in Havana early today
from Key West.
Welsh Immediately began a series
of conferences with the fight promo
ters and principals regarding the in
depreciation of the rules. He probably
VIII call conference Sunday for final
explanations and ratification.
Weather conditions today were the
best for training purposes that have
prevailed for a week 1t was clear ard
cool and both johnson and Willard
were on the road early. Tomorrow
the men will do little more than trot
and walk.
EitZ Picks johnson.
Newark, n. j., April 3.-Bob Fitz-
simmons, former heavyweight cham
pion, picks Jack johnson to win the
coming fight. Nothing to it but the
big smoke said Fitz when seen here.
''Of course I'm with Willard because
he's white man. But that fellow
johnson is the goods, mark me- and
] expect him to put Jess away inside
of four five rounds, at the most
You've got to admit that Willard
is a big dub. He hasn't the experience.
] don't care how fat johnson is or how
old he may be; the fact remains he
knows more about the fighting game
than the pitiful figure that will be
stacked up against him next Monday
and believe me, when l say what the
coon will do to him will be something
awful to watch.
There is just that chance that
Johnson will allow Willard to stay
TContinCsu t'ase two.i