El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-04-19

4"
M There seems to be a concerted
movement among some Of the
followers of boxing to try and create
a feeling that the Johnson Willard
battle was not on the square. It was
very noticeable down south among
some Of the colored men, that they
preferred to give out the impression
that Johnson laid down rather than
admit that he was beaten fairly by a
superior fighter
This impression spread about and
nearly every person whom / have met
since returning from the contest asked
the same question: was the fight a
fake2 To the best Of my judgement
and Of practically every critic at
Havana the day Of the battle, the con-
test was fought on its merit and the
best man WOn-that man being Jess
Willard. The cry has been raised that
Johnson did not train as hard as he
should have done.
The fact Is johnson worked YeEy
hard for the big fight. but he did nON
box so much as usual, combining him
self more TO road work. for he knew
ne needed that kind Of work to get
the necessary stamina. Johnson .Cas on
the road every morning for eight or
ten miles and his condition surprised
all the writer's when they saw him
for the first time, as they expected
10 see him hog fat and unfit to box
half dozen rounds Jack was near the
SO year mark, as he admitted. but
there are some who claim he was at
the 80 mile post If year, and they
were probably mighty near the correct
figure He could not take off too much
weight, for to do so would hurt him
more than carrying even more
superfuOus flesh than he did.
He Did His Level Best.
johnson knew his condition better
than any one and he worked accord
lngly- The fact that Jack changed his
tactics and slugged and rushed, practi-
cally the first time in his career. proved
that he knew Just about how far he
could so and that is why he tried TO
win as quickly as possible Jack was
slow on his feet, whereas in past bat
ties he was fast afoOt and he always
made his opponents come to him. Then.
too, he never met a man who was
really stronger and bigger than. him
self; one who could even take more
punishment and still retain his
strength. Had Willard been Of only
ordinary build and unable TO stand an
extra amount OF punishment than
johnson would still be champion, but
IL proved otherwise.
Willard showed that he could stand
all the punishment Johnson could hand
out and still remain with a knock
out kick in either hand In three diff
fereut rounds Johnson delivered a
series Of blows to the head and body,
which would have put the ordinary
heavyweight TO sleep, but not so with
Big Jess
willard Didn't Vince.
His condition was so good that he
never even WINGED when Jack was
handing out the hardest blows he
could deliver. In the 18th round John
son rushed Jess about the ring and
drove home several terrific blows 10
the head and body, but never a sign
OF distress did the big FELLOW show. &
il was the last chance Jack had. for .
Willard fought more carefully after Z
hat and began to hand out some heart !
breaking body blows himself which /
eventually wore the cOlOred man down I
completely
The real damage to Johnson was done /
In the eighth round when Jess sent a 7
terrific right handler to the body, just .
under the heart 1t made Jack gasp,
but he was clever enough TO hide the
effect of the blow from Willard. Ref 1
cree Jack Welsh afterwards bore out /
the contention regarding this blow in 4
the eighth. II was evident that Willard T
did not realize the damage he had done.
for afterwards he told me that ne first 1
became aware Of Johnson's weakness /
in the tenth round. He said that he /
cit then he could win sure. but ne had I
planned to fight safe and sure bat
lie and for that reason would take no 1
unnecessary chances. as his condition
was such that he could fight the full
distance and be strong all the way. Il I
was IN the eighth, too. that Jess really