New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-07
Cofey and Morris Both
Anxious 10 Face Man
Who Won Title for
the White Race.

A prospective opponent for the new
worlds champion heavyweight. Jess
Willard, will step forth from the ring
Of the st. Nicholas Rink tonight after
jim Coffey, the Roscommon Giant. and
Carl Morris, of Sapulpa, Okla. who is
even more of a giant. ge. through with
. their bout.
The men have agreed to go ten
rounds, but it is no certainty that one
or the other will be on his feet that
length Of time. Both are terrific hit
tiers, and each is intent upon getting
the first chance at Willard.
COffey ha only one knockout against
his record Soldier Kearns did the
trick in 1912, in the Irish boys first
year in the ring but Cofey squared
accounts by knocking out Kearns in
the opening round last May in Phila-
delphia. In addition he has knocked
out Arthur Pelky twice, and in his last
few bouts has put all his opponents
away before the limit.
While not of Wizards bulk, Cofey
measures feet inches in his stock
ing feet and weighs more than 200
pounds.
Morris was knocked out by tho late
Luther McCarty in 1912, but had done
the same thing TO many Of the best
heavyweights in the ring to-day, and
has recently been boxing with in
creased skill. lie also went ten even
rounds with Willard in this city in
December, 1913.
Morris more nearly measures up to
Wizards standard in size than any Of
the other men in the ring to-day. He
is 6 feet inches in height and tips
the beam at about 235 pounds. He Is
nearly the same age as the new cham
pion.
Jimmy Johnston. the matchmaker of
the Madison Square Garden Club,
which will resume business next
month, after a conference with Billy
Gibson. COfeys manager, agreed to
give Willard a flat guarantee Of Sl5.-
600 for ten-round bout with Cofey
at the Garden in May. Gibson an
nounced his willingness TO accept %
per cent Of the gross receipts after
Willard is paid off.
Such a bout would be sure TO at
tract a record crowd to the Garden.
and in view of the champions state
ment yesterday that he will engage in
ten-round bouts TO get some of the
easy money" it is not believed he will
feel like turning the Johnston offer
down.
Gibson, of course, is figuring on
Coffey either outpointing or decisively
defeating Morris tonight something
that Willard failed 10 do If, on the
contrary, Morris should be returned
the winner. Johnston will probably
hold his offer open TO the man from
Sapulpa.
Johnston was not surprised at vii
lard's victory over Johnson. Jimmy
SAID last night, in discussing the re-
suit Of the Havana battle:
Listen; it's just what I figured
would happen. Johnson was a won
derful man in his day, but that day
went long before Willard got into the
ring with the negro at Havana on
Monday. And. listen; Willard is
wonderfully improved fighter over
what he was when he first struck the
East.
Don't J remember what Jess did TO
my Boer Rodel the last time they met
in Atlanta, last April? The time
before that the Boer held Jess fairly
even in ten rounds, but in Atlanta Jess
handled my man like a baby. | said TO
improve so greatly in a few months. he
will be champion some day, and it's
so, isn't it ?"
Gibson had the same bunch before
the heavyweight battle, and insisted
Willard was far too powerful and
youthful for man like Johnson. who
had already started down hill when he
faced his conqueror in Cuba last Mon
day. But unlike most others, Gibson
didn't believe Jess will hang on TO the
title long. That is, if he gives CotFey
a chance at his laurels. Gibson is
enxiously awaiting reply from VII
lard IN answer TO his challenge read at
the ringside in Havana.
The Long Acre A. A. at Orchard and
Grand Streets, will offer a big pro-
gramme tonight, with the Cross fam |
lily much in the limelight. Leach Cross /
and Danny Cullin will appear in tie
main bout and II the semi-hnsl Benny