The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-04-05
HAVANA. Cuba. April


Jack Johnson and Jess Willard, con
testants for the world 5 heavyweight
boxing championship, entered the ring
about lis clock surrounded by a
crowd who had paid a total of nearly
100000 III admissions
Both men were in the pink of con-
dition and each was confident
Never before in the history Of box.
ing had two men of such gigantic size
faced each other. Willard, who is six
feet six inches, over topped johnson
by five and one-half inches and is 10
years younger. But the superior skill
and experience of the champion were
considered by many as more than coun-
teracting the youth and size of the
challenger.
Sunrise found hundreds of eager rams
in line before the box office, many of
them having been there all night III
their anxiety to secure admission
Up to short time before the fight
betting was very light, but as the hour
approached more and more wagers were
made. johnson was generally a slight
favorite.
Promoters this morning handed the
100000 which he was to receive as his
share of the gate receipts, win or lose
Johnson receives third of the mov-
ing picture rights. Willard s share is
to be one-third of the total receipts
and onethird Of the picture rights.
johnson entered the ring at 115.
The attendance is estimated at about
10000. The sun beat down hotly
Johnson was applauded by the Cubans
The negro,s first move was to look at his
wife. Four minutes later Willard ap.
| peared. He wore a heavy red sweater and
| blue trousers. The crowd went wild with
elapping and screaming.
| Wizards seconds are Tex ORourke
Jim Savage, Walter AIonahan: johnson :
Tom Flanagan, George Monroe, Sam Nc
/ Ney, Dave Mills and Bob Armstrong.
The two pugilists shook hands for the
movies. Johnson objected to a woman
spectator in a ring side seat and she re
tired to a box. The negro was clad IL
bright blue trunks. Willard wore darl
trunks and an American flag.
! A second from both corners inspected
the gloves. Willard weighed 23S pounds
Johnson 225 pounds. But the negro ap
peared considerably heavier
| AT 12.S the ring was cleared The,
shook hands. Time was called at 53
New \ orll time
johnson feinted and landed his left OF
Wizards jaw. Repeated uppercuts to Wi
lard's jaw followed. The latter was YER
nervous Johnson was laughing whel
Willard drove two lefts to the body
johnson drove a right to the body.
Round 2-Johnson easily blocked Wi
lard's leads, feinting him out Of position
and scoring right and left to the jaw
Willard replied by crossing his right t
the body. johnson hooked his left to til
. stomach Johnson landed three lefts t
| the body Willard laughed Johnso
, then drove Willard to the ropes with
: tattoo of lefts to the face.
Round 3-After light fighting Wi
lard missed a right swing. Both laugh
ed. Johnson rushed and scored lef
TO body and right to jaw. Johnso
landed a left to body Willard asked
< . Is that the way you do it?'
Round Willard lunged ineffeC
Y lively, Johnson laughing at his clums
( efforts. There was much feintin,
: johnson landed left to ribs and swun
e his right and left to the body and hi
: left to Willard s face Willard Is Ii
: was bleeding. Willard scored a left
Johnson S nose.
Round 5-Johnson poked light LEI
e and right to Willard S face. Tt
: referee ordered them to break. TT
tnegro smashed hard on Willard s rit