Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-06
jess Willard, Kansas Cowpuncher,
Wrests Heavyweight Cham
Pionship From Negro.
KNOCKOUT BLOW is CLEAN
Alien Crowd Sees Title Brought
Back to White Race by
American.

title was wrcstcd from him by Jess
willard. the Kansas cowboy, the big
Pest man who ever entered the prize
ring, and white hope who at last
has made good
The day after tomorrow johnson,
his wife and n little group OF friends
viii sail for Martinique. there to await
passage back TO France. where John
son proposed TO lead the life of a
farmer. There is no doubt he Is
through with the ring
willard Is going back 10 the United
states to win the fortune denied him
to-day when Johnson got $4,000 before
the fight started. willard took only
small share of the gate receipts. Just
what his share was is not known.
To-day's fight probably has no par
ailel In the history of ring battles.
For twenty rounds Johnson punched
and pounded willard at WILL his blows
grew perccptibly less powerful. though
as the fight progressed unu, at last
ne seemed unable or unwilling TO go
~ Johnson stopped leading and for
three or four rounds the battle was
It'lc more than series OF plastic
poses OF white and black gladiators
SO II was until the twen,y-hfth
round. when Willard got one OF his
widely swinging, wind mill. right-hand
snashes to Johnson's heart This was
the beginning OF the end.
JOHNSON SEES FINISH
AND SENDS WIFE HOME
When the round closed Johnson sent
word TO his wife that he was all In.
He told her TO start for home She
was on the way out, and was passing
the ring in the twcnty-sixth round
~ IA a,i ripv tcF
a cycionic right to the jaw caused John
son to crumple on the floor Of the ring
where he lay. partly outside the ropes.
until the referee counted ten and held
UP Wizards hand In token o. his
newly won laure!s
There Is much discussion to-day
among the followers OF the lighting
game as 10 whether Johnson Was really
knocked out.
In the scnsc Of being smashed into
Inconsistencies. he certainly was not
put out, The consensus OF opinion is
tnat Johnson knew there was no proha-
bil!ty OF h;s winning, SO when knocked
down he chose TO take the count rather
than rise and stand further punishment
y second or two after Jack Welsh, the
referee had counted ten johnson got
up. II was well that ne did SO for n
moment later rush OF spectators 10
the hghting platform all but smothered
the pugilsts.
For instant II seemed as II
trouble was threatened, but soldiers
jumped into the ring and formed circles
around the fghtery
CROWDS LINE STREETS
AND CHEER CHAMPION
Under escort OF the soldiers, willard
and Johnson went 10 their dressing
rooms, while the crowd cheered and
broke into Willard's room. Johnson
was escorted halfway 10 the city from
the Mar:ano race track, where the fight
was held. by troop OF Cuban cavalry.
Crowds lined the streets. and the new
white champion was loudly cheered.
: lilo decidedly the favor:te all
4 through the fight, and tonight IS the
hero OF the city.
Automobiles returning to the citv
:. from the fight flew white flags. and
thus the news spread far and wide
that the white challenger had beatened
the negro champion. AS willard came
along the crowds in the streets waved
flags and handkerchiefs tied to sticks.
Willard probably is the most modest
champion who ever stepped ou; OF a
prize ring. taking his victory as philos-
ophlcally rs he had looked forward TO
D.
peared to be badly damaged by the
battle. The new champions lip, right
ear and left check showed slight cuts.
hut at no time was there more than a
drop or two OF blood In evidence In
this respect the fight was in great con-
trhst to the Johnson -Jeffries fight at
Reno. when Jeffrles was cut TO pieces
and blood splashed over the spectators
az the ringside.
40 BIG FIGHT CLEANER.
OR EVEN LESS BRUTAL,
ON the contrary, no fight between
hcavyweights that has gone to finish
was cleaner or less brutal. Johnson's
left eye was partly closed in the early
rounds. but not sufficiently to Interfere
with his fighting. His lip also was cut
inside and his famous golden smile
ashed from n very red setting.
The end Of the fight came with
suddenness that surprised SPECTATORS
|, II followed two or three rounds of
( almost complete idleness on the part
Of the contestants. and the crowd set
tied down to long drawn -out struggle,
believing II would go the limit of the
forty-hve rounds
The early rounds were filed with
flashes OF Johnson's former wonderful
speed. and lie rained right and lefts
to Wizards body and face, delivering
ten blows to one from the big white
!, challenger. Through all the time
willard was on the defensive and on
one occasion Johnson played with him.
| once standing with guard down, and
letting Willard swing at hp. only to
dodge and laugh at his opponent
In many respects the fight resulted
>,ymst ms many predicted. Willard and
his friends had predicted that II the
= battle lasted twenty rounds, johnson
( would not win. This was based partly |
/ on the belief that Willard could atand