The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-04-05
Neither Black Champion Nor
Cowboy Fighter Changes
Forecast Of Outcome.
BETTING is RATHER SLOW
Thousands of Men Journey
Early to Race Track Ten
Miles from Havana.
tEr Assor,A1rp pprE.,

HAVANA, Apr. 5The day OF the
worlds heavyweight championship
fight between Jack johnson and jess
Willard broke with overcast skies
When the sun rose 1T was behind 4
solid bank Of clouds. but as the day
\ a advanced blue patches OF sky appear
Nj ed bringing hope Of fine weather to
The fight promoters and TO the thous-
ands of men who had journeyed to
4 the Marianao race track ten miles
from Havana, where the fight was to
be staged.
Neither the black champion nor
the cowboy fighter changed over
f night their optimistic forecast of the
outcome. Each man was sure ne
would win. johnson said he was in
good shape and did not care Ii the
4 fight was hard one, as herwas fit 70
4 go any distance. Wizards hackers
were certain that their man would
win II the fight went beyond ten
rounds. Willard himself asserted
4 that he was not In the least nervous
over the result. Johnson prepared
cody to defend his title. His only
indication Of nervousness was oveti
the exact moment Jack Curley and
hackers Of the fight would arrive at
his headquarters with the $4,000
cash named in the negro's contract.
This very important event was set
for IL o'clock. Johnson chatted and
n laughed with the men about him dur
ing his preparations for the trip TO-
y the ring as il he had not care in
the world. This supreme self-confl=I
dence is rated n some cf the cham
pion's best assets especially against
q manAof nervous Temperament.
4 Willard retired early last night and
declared this morning he had had "A
refreshing Sleep. He was loa:h 70
discuss his plan Of campaign but said
he proposed to go slow and that hal
expected to IKE a good deal Of pun-l
ishment during the first ten rounds,
hoping to wear J ohnson down and
get an opportunity TO land Knock
" out blow. Willard was confident that
ifshe could land two or three rights
& on J Johnson the fight soon would end.
Willard said Johnson's ability IS aj
& boxer would give him opportunity to
make a better showing in the early
rounds Of the fight but never in his
ring career had Willard felt any dis
conf fort from any blow delivered on
his body and did not fear J Johnson'sl
jabs. Willard semed very ht#indeedi
W hen he left for the track The fn-i
Examination to his right eve from the
splash of chloroform liniment last
night had Yielded rapidly to treat
sment and il is not believed 1t will
have any i'll effects.
There has been little preliminary
4 betting but there was indications this
morning that wagering would become
more brisk rs the day wore 80 Al ~
most every one with money to place
apparently waited for an eleventh
hour shift in the odds in the hope OF
better terms. Johnson was favorlte
with the. odds s to 5 and 6 to >.
These we're the figures obtained to-
ela.y at the NIiramar hotel where tbs
late arrivals from Key West and
New. Orleans flocked before the q ght.5
Uncertafnty as to y Johnsonss real con
dition and Wizards ability are the ti
factors which have kent down Fl me;
n. 5.hatting = and there was as much spec
ulation regarding these questio ons 4 MS
morning as there was "a week ago
III Is Johnson's skill and experience
against Willard S youth. i the experss
says.
Before daybreak crowds of natives.
secure in the belief and hope .thal
johnson would retain his title pegan
pouring into the city. The streets
were filed with throng gs ana and ~
training quarters 81 the hgh,ers - :, -
the center OF admiring crowds H ours
before the two giants stepped slnso
the ring the stands were black with Eti
SPECTATORS. They went to the track
10 every avail q ab1e vehicle in Havana,i
II and on foot. President Menocal ani an
his cabinet. the congress Of Cuba
y the governor Of Havana provilnrlcee'
the mayo OF the city, foreign min mi =
tiers and hundreds of women " ere - g
the audience- The electric lines WeEs ! S;
n unable to handle the crowds 2 ~ ~ /; !;
! many walked. Il
nrnriI rnIfl ;