The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-06

round, and he also started some ag-
sressiveness on his own hook that
seemed to say Il have tested the best
ne has and they did not hurt enough
10 spell danger. There was another
signal that meant much TO the veteran
rfngsiders. Johnson began to smirk
and wink at the crowd as Willard
pressed In upon him. a sure sign that
boxer is attempting to cover up any
show of fatigue or distress or an APP
pearance of ght-heartedness Yes
the tide was turning.
Tn the grand old man of the
ring, johnson bawled TO the box
holders while hugging Willard tight
In a clinch. Again as Willard missed
q right swing by a couple of feet
johnson shouted. II must be a great
man If this fellow can lick me-" The
comedy deceived no one, and Willard
least of all. for the tide of battle was
slowly flowing in his direction. AS
Willard advanced in the seventeenth
Johnson drew him into lead and
countered hard with a right handler
TO the head. This seemed to anger
Willard, who made his first real show
of spirit with frenz!ed rush such as
johnson had tried earlier, but long
since abandoned. johnson brought
him to his senses and he became a
to force the milling.
The crowd weat wild with excite
ment In the eighteenth round. when
Willard gained big advantage. After
a series of labs, he swung a long
right hand punch for the head. which
put johnson nearly over the ropes II
was the most forceful blow he had
struck up TO this time, and had it's
effect Johnson began 10 back away
n ia .Fal n nf
was the beginning OF the end. Will
lard appeared as strong as at the
start. and was reasonably fresh in
the bargain. while Johnson looked
troubled and very tired.
Black Man Takes Defensive.
A scowl replaced the forced smile
on Johnson's face in the nineteenth
round when he started last ditch
stand. Instead OF leading, he went
entirely on the defensive for time.
inaily he dashed out with an upper
cut. but willard pressed him close,
fiaying the fat body and earning a
srunt with each new punch Willard
was still careful, however, He seemed
fairly sure that the negro was not
playing possum, but he appeared TO
feel that he had ali afternoon for the
job and refused to teopardize his own
chances by any lack or caution.
the twenty first duiler stu. Johnson
waited long time for al attack, but
the patient willard outwaited him,
Now. when Johnson made up his mind
10 rush. Willard stepped aside instead
Of meeting the onslaught. once
Johnson's dash carried him clear
against the ropes. and he hung there
for moment, apparently without the
vigor TO turn and face his Rssaiiant.
5, ~ fy,g~ ~
from the rear Willard ui3 not fol-
low him. though. That was not in
the cards as he had laid them out
When Johnson got ready 10 face about
and raise his weary arms, he found
the big white fellow standing where
he had stepped as the rush went past.
In the next round, and the next
Willard wake ed slowly but surely into
his opponent. There was 40 avoid
ing him Constantly he bored, seek
ing an opening but was unable to
penetrate the Negroes guard Johnson
blocked like "a fencing master and
backed away as steadily as Jess ad-
vaneed when Willard Got close
enough Jack grabbed him arms ana
fell into a clinch. Here again the
advantage was all with willard. who,
towering above the black. rested the
fun weight of his huge bulk upon
the exhausted champion.
willard opened the twenty fourth
round with iab. and Johnson re-
piled in kind, bat OF an exceedingly
light variety Several times this was
repeated. while Tom Jones howled ad-
vice. He saw, as many others did,
that Johnson was rested up a trif}e
and was stalking his all on one crush
ing blow whea Willard should lay
himself open. There was considerable
cIinching now, and Johnson turned
them into wrestling matches again
with the odds against him,
johnson F1oored for Count.
johnson was beaten man before
the bell sounded to close the twenty
fifth round. He was hitting lightly
and backing away, with the memorable
Willard in slow but sure pursuit,