Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-03
HEAVY D0WNPOUR OF RAIN
DOES NOT STOP FIGHTERS
johnson and Willard Continue to
Train Hard for Coming
Scrap.
AMERICANS ARRIVING FAST
Crowds Throng Cuban Capital, and
Many Bets Are Made on Outcome
Of Mill-President Denies Tint He
Has Money Upon Fight.

! HAVANA, April Jack Johnson and
Willard trained to-day for Mondays
championship fight. between heavy
downpours OF rain. The storm and
high wind made the task unpleasant.
Road WORK was light owing to thu. wet
and slippery roaus. Exercise at the
afternoon exhibitions WAS OF Il harder
nature.
The challenger worked in Il sawdus,-
covered rinS before large hulida Y
crowd, each one Of whom pad ~ cents
admission. He boxed three rounds each
WIN hcmphill. savage and Monahail.
showing unusually good form. Ills IN
nShtines was the best he has shown.
he ,ri,d using the crouch this after
noon. lie WAS last with his left oc-
casionaiiy using his right. and sIuIg.d
with savage and Montham at times.
Alter the boxing he wrcsticd. ana
threw the meuicin. ball
Johnson worked Today before a
moving picture nacrlne. lie puA,u
eight rounds with Mills, Scott and ia.
HIS mai round, Win icli, tasted rign,
minutes, and ,,nc champion Jukeu " III
the spectators AS he iiuiSh.u. STOW .ns
no sign OF exhaustion. Johnson mas
! terly boxing skill Is still Il marvel 10
the Havana people.
There is much uncasness among
members OF the fight syndicate over
Johnson's intention To box Sam Mcvey
six rounds on Saturday. apparently
champions nina. lie says that those
of the public who have pet on him are
entitled To get final line on mis- fine
condition. The bout Saturday. he as
Scrts OF course, VIII not Dc At night but
Il hard, fast exhibition.
johnson hectares tnai as champion
he can and snouiu he able ~ protect
himself against all crnlrts at ali tunes.
and that II he codiu MOI n" snouid re-
tire and give others Il cnancc at the
title. johnson sdiu that he broke mis-
arm on Jim Jonnsun, ana then could
not be defeated. ihvre rs no chance OF
his being injured 10y Mc\cy. ne believes.
McNcy .uHy t.ct Iitic.
MCNey says wants 10 return to
France with Johnson, where. he cx-
poets, If Johnson Is still champion, ne
vail turn the titlc over IL nam when
he announces has retirement from Inc
ring. johnson says ne VIII retire. but
IL not ccrtaIn that he VIII give the
championship to ALcNey as Jim JeffrieS
ana 10 Marvin Hart
The cnampion's continued improve
ment Win the little public work which
lie has done has gwen rise To story
OF secret training, which Johnson de-
MES with a laugh. II Is reported that
break with Mc\cy, but the latter also
denies the report. When ADVISED by
his friends to 10 still more work. john
Il am the best judge OF my condi-
ton, aud l am satisfied. l Know that |
can hight three hours at stretch II
necessary
Some tight followers say. they are
not sure whether Johnson Is in such
shape he claims. They say that
whiic the champion is fit III appearance zee
they cannot tell his actual physical
condition. since they have not seen him
in a test night rncy assert they are
Jcnrics in 1910. The battle. they be
licvc will go twenty ROUNDS. at least.
anu they express the opinion that Will
lard will cntcr the rinG an even money
Many OF Johnsons hackers apparent
ly are not ANXIOUS for bets ana Will
lard's followers are gaining confidence
as a result.
requests for 10 / odds last week
dropped to-day 10 to .. Tom tlana-
gan, Johnsons chief adviser ana Tor
Iner manager, refused 10 give these
odds. lie says he has much money TO
bet, but onl! AT even terms. and Will
get these before Monday.
The continued rain Is worrying the
promoters. bu, the night is sure 10 be
held Oh the date set. the pugilists. If
necessary. lighting under canopy.
entailing Il great decrease in the
profits.
me moving picture mon say there
is no question, but that they Will show
the films all over tho world il Willard
wins. owing to tho popular demand.
Americans Arrive Rapidly.
American light followers are nrriy-
ing OH every steamer. The hotels head
quarters for Americans report that all
reservations have been booked. The
hotel Hobbies are crowded with sport
ing mon and tourists who are talking
night and betting. although little real
money has been waGcred as yet.
rcrsons arriving from Key West to-
night reported that there was a big
jam of travellers there, hundreds being
unable to get 70 Cuba. Referee Welsh
cablcd tonight that he had been unable
. to get passage across, and that he had
chartered a special steamer which was
, due late tonight.
President Mcnocal to-day sent let
ter TO American Minister Gonzales.
through whom he had received infor-
nation regarding the publication in
American newspapers Of n report tina t
| he had placed Il wager on Johnson, in
which the President said:
1T is needless to say that there Is
absolutely no truth in this report. If
any more such stories are sent aboard
] shall do all In my power TO prevent
boxing contests taking place in Cuba
in the future"