The Washington times., 1915-04-03
Despite PIeadings Of Jack Cur
ley, Champion Goes. Through
With Program.
MANAGER FEARS INJURY
Americans in Cuba Appear to
Favor Willard in Title Affair
Next Monday.
BY BARRY FARIS.

HAVANA, April 3.-With both
fighters claiming perfection Of con-
dition for Mondays championship Of
the world set-to, keenest interest
was manifested in the showing Jack
johnson makes against Sam McVey,
in the six-round exhibition bout to-
day. Curley's pleadings Of possible
injury to johnson requiring postpone
n1ent Of the championship battle
have been unavailing. The big black
insists he'll get good workout in
the McVey mill and won't get hurt.
One thing is certain, the John
son-McVey workout isn't love-
feast. McVey is one of the trio of
tar babies including Langford and
johnson, the McVey and I.angford
portions Of which have always be-
lieved they were just as good as
johnson, and who have mourned the
fact that circumstances gave John
son the chance to grab the title.
Johnson never would give them a
night Langford once was reported to
have Travelled all the way across the
Continent, incognito, simply to get a
chance to take up bombastic chal-
lenge by johnson, then doing theatri-
calls, that he would fight six rounds with
any one. The story went that Johnson
backed out when Langford was spotted.
McVey is reported to have made peace
with johnson, but nevertheless those
who know the crafty black man insist
he'll do his best this afternoon to square
things.
Final boxing workouts in both camps
today were the best so far staged. Will
lard made an exceptionally brilliant
showing, apparently cutting loose. His
foot-work was beyond expectation Of
even his most enthusiastic hackers. The
GUS. OF the 1.-the muscled type he is
now at the top notch of physical effici-
ency.
.,is Referee Welsh arrived today; The
fans. Every available. sort of steamer
has been pressed into service between
Havana and Key West to bring fans
over and still it was reported that there
are 5000 people in the Florida town un-
able so far to obtain passage.
Flanagan, Johnson's chief second. de-
clarcd today the big smudge would force
the fighting.
He'll tear into Willard from the tap
OF the bell" Flanagan asserted. John
son and all of us in his camp expect
to see Willard Knocked out within twelve
rounds. Jack knows Wizards game Is
to try to outwear him-but there'll be no
things from the start"
so much the better" was the COM
ment of Tom Jones, Wizards manager.
on this statement. willard is going to
win-we're sure of that
Most of the Americans who have
journeyed here to see the fight seem to
favor Willard. The Kansan impresses
everyone who sees him work by his speed
strength. and condition. He looks bet.
ter than ever before in his life and to
those who saw him when he fought
Carl Morris in New York couple OF
years ago and have not seen him since
until they came here, Willard is a
revelation. He is perfectly honest about
his work and about his statements, both
OF which are convincing. Several Yam
kee visitors have been unable to place
any bets here on the fight. and have
cabled their money to New York, where
1t Is being placed. Today there was a
general demand for short odds, and not
rev Wagers were made at even
money.
Johnson declares he has several thou
sand dollars he wants to wager that ne
will stop Willard within fourteen
rounds. He is asking to l for this
money, and is not getting much action
A strong report went the rounds to-
dav that Johnson intends to LAY down
in the fight, that a theatrical agency
had paid him a big sum of money tc
surrender his title to willard When
asked If this was true, johnson said:
There Is not enough money in Cuba
to make me forfeit my title to Willard
or any one else. l like the honor of be.
ing heavyweight champion of the world
and when l lose it there will be a
knockout administered bv a better man
And hot ho