New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-03
His Infighting the Best He
Has Shown in the
Havana Camp.
JOHNSON WORKS OUT
BEFORE MOVIE FILMS
Negro Insists He Will Box Nc.
Vey on Saturday-Fight
Fans Rallying.

Havana, April 2.-Jack Johnson and
Jess Willard continued training for
their championship bout on Monday
between heavy downpours o, rain TO-
day. The storm and a high wind made
the task unpleasant. The road work In
the early morning was light. owing 70
the wet and slippery going. Their en-.
ercise in the afternoon was OF harder
nature, particularly in the case Of vii.
lard.
The challenger went through his
work in a sawdust covered ring before
big holiday crowd, each person pay.
ing 40 cents admission. Willard boxed
three rounds erch with Hemphill, Saw
age and Monahan, showing unusually
good form. His infghting was the
best he has exhibited thus far He
tried using the crouch this afternoon,
and was fast with his left. After the
boxing he wrestled and threw the med.
icine ball.
Johnson worked this afternoon b.
fore a moving picture machine, de-
sorting the regular ring FOR a restrict
ed space on the floor He boxed eight
round with Mills, Scott and Bell. His
final round, which was with Bell, lasted
eight minutes, and the champion joksd
with the spectators as he finished,
showing no sign Of exhaustion. John
sons mastery boxing skill Is still q
marvel to the Havana fans.
Bound to Box McYey.
There is much uneasiness among
members OF the fight syndicate over
Johnson's insistence that he will box
Sam McVey six rounds on Saturday.
! Apparently no amount Of argumen.
can change the champions mind. He
says that those of the public who have
| bet on him are entitled 20 get a final
| line on his fine condition. The bou.
on Saturday, he asserts, OF course, will
not be a fight, but hard exhibition.
He declares that as champion he
can and should be able TO protect him.
self against all corners at all times,
and that if he could not he should re-
| tire and give others a chance az the
title. Johnson said he broke his arm
on Jim Johnson and then couldn't be
defeated. There IS no change OF his
being injured by McVey, he believes.
McVey says he wants to return 70
France with johnson, where, he ex.
poets, II Johnson is still champion he
will turn the title over 10 him when
he announces his retirement from tho
ring. Johnson states that he will re.
tire, but is not certain that he will
give the championship TO McVey, as
! Jim Jeries did TO Marvin Hart
Odds at S to 5.
Many hackers Of Johnson apparently
are not anxious for bets, and Willards
followers are gaining confidence. as
result. Requests for 70 ! last week
| dropped to-day 70 S 20 s. Tom Flana-
/ gan, Johnson's chief adviser and for
mer manager refused TO give these
odds. He says he has much money
/ to bet, but only at even, and Will get
/ these terms before Monday.
The continued rain is worrying the
promoters, but the fight Is sure 70 be
held on the date set, the pugilists,
necessary. fighting under canopy
/ This would mean no moving pictures,
cntailing great decrease in the
profits The moving picture men say
there is no question but that they VIII
show the films all over the world II
Willard wins, owing 70 the popular
demand. It rained hard of and on oil
day, and the natives say that the
storm may continue for several days
The American fight followers are ar
irving on every steamer. The kv
West boat, which arrived late to-day
having been delayed by the storm, had
$50 fight fans on board. The steamers
are making special trips as fast as To!
can cover the route.
Hotels Filling Up.
The hotel Headquarters for Americans
report that all reservations have oesn
booked. The scenes in the hotel loe-
bies are like those to be seen IN Broad
way. They are full Of sporting men
and tourists, who everywhere are taIs
ing fight and betting, although hus
real money has been wagered as YET
People arriving from Key West ~
ported tonight that there was oy
Jam in that American city, hundreas
being unable to get 10 Cuba. Helere.
Welsh sent a cable message to-aisns
that he had been unable TO get passsSs
across and that he had chartered
special steamer, which was due Is" W.
night.
The steamer Olivette arrived ton. az
packed to the gunwales. The GoveIno.
Cobb is due to arrive to-morro"
morning with at least 500 passenger
Cuban passenger agents report
the island railroads brought In man,
people tonight, and big crowds are ca
pected tomorrow. ,.,.
President Monocal to-day sent ~.
ter TO the American Minister, Gon'sIs'
through whom he had received iniofms
ton regarding the publication N ~"
Newspapers in the United states Oh
report that he had placed wager %
Johnson, in which the Executive sac:
at is needless TO say that there -
absolutely no truth in this repor. a
any more such stories are sent aoros,
! shall do all in my power 20 Prjs
boxing contests taking place IN Cqo' "a
the future | regret having 70 Ds "a.
forccful out an apparently insignlw
cant matter, but you will concur 10 ~
opinion that he Chief Executive o.
nation should OF be drawn into ahsl.,
of H.. character. especially when w
sole purpo : 20 obtain ll'tle 81
VERT ing"