Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1915-04-05
PUG|L|STS BATTLE
FOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Great Fight Between john
son and Willard is Under
Way Near Havana.
BLACK AGAINST WHITE
Thousands of Persons Are About
the Ringside, Witnessing the
Historic Struggle.
Associated Press Dispatch by Special wires

Historic Struggle.
Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires
Ringside, Oriental Park, Havana Cuba,
April 5.-The sun broke through a darkly
/ overcast sky as the crowds began to arrive
at the scene Of the worlds heavyweight
championship fight between Jack johnson
of Texas and Jess Willard of Kansas.
The setting for the battle was picturesque
| A ring had been erected directly on the
race track in front of the big steel grand
stand, which furnished the principal
seating facilities In front Of the grand
stand the long slope leading to the track
was covered with seats like those of
circus. About the ring boxes were ar
ranged on the fiat track, and more circus
seats were in the field Ringsidc box
seats sold for S25, slope seats cost $50,
and Sl5 was paid for grandstand seats.
| From SIS the prices of other seats fell
to SO for general admission, but in ad-
dition TO the fight prices all spectators
were required TO pay 81 for the privilege
OF witnessing the racing at the conclusion
Of the fight
RING STRONGLY BRACED.
The ring for the historic battle was rs
feet inside the ropes The platform meas
ured 22 feet II was of sturdy construc-
tion being strongly braced beneath to
| withstand the weight of the pugilists,
Willard being probably the largest man
who ever entered the prize ring for a
championship fight Two hours prior to
the time at which the fight was set the
ring was being actively completed The
heavy hemp ropes were wrapped twice
with black tire tape. Great care was
taken in preparing the floor beneath the
reed canvas covering, and a score of red
blankets we're placed there as padding,
From two platforms moving picture
machines were focused on the ring. Five
machines comprised the battery, three TO
be used regularly and two to be held IN
reserve.
There was great excitement about II
o'clock, when IL was discovered that no
one had thought about the bell 10 be
rung at the starting and stopping Of the
rounds. Two messengers were dispatched
on the journey TO Havana to purchase a
gong.
TROOPS LINE THE TRACK.
Cuban troops began TO reach the track
at 1890 o'clock, several companies OF
infantry and two troops Of khaki-clad
cavalry then being on the scene.
The race course where the fight was
held is surrounded with green hills, some
of which are topped with towering palms
The fight management, seeing the pos
sibility of moving picture mach ines equip
ped with telescopic lenses operating from
the hills, had guards stationed at all the
vantage points overlooking the fight
arena.
At IL O'Clock the sun and clouds still
were fighting for supremacy. In the sky
| ~
over the sea and Offering menace Of rain.
CROWDS ARRIVE SLOWLY.
At ll.30 o'clock, one hour before the
fight was scheduled to start, a total OF
several thousand persons had arrived and
found seats, but the more expensive
locations contained but few spectators.
The first notables TO reach the ringside
, seats were the mayor of Havana and the
, Speaker of the Cuban House Of Represen-
tatives. Matt Hinkel Of Cleveland
, the alternate referee of the big bout,
! came in a few minutes after the mayor and
at once began TO help with
, the final arrangements. BY this time q
number of soldiers had taken up their
positions around the ring enclosure. As
a matter Of fact soldiers at this hour
seemed to constitute half of the crowd.
The ring was finished Just before noon
J While the strongest it undoubtedly was
! also the crudest ever erected for q worlds
, championship fight.
| The band in the gandstand entertained
the crowds The first tune it rendered
was "By the Beautiful Sea-" which sci
the American contingent whistling
MANY CARS WRECKED.
5 Late arrivals at the arena told of many
: automobile wrecks along the narrow anC
5 crowded road from Havana, but up C
noon there had been no serious accident
I There was liberal percentage of womer
among the spectators. Most Of then
occupied box seats, and many of then
were Americans.
johnson arrived at the track at 1925
/ o'clock but did not appear until later
I | His wife came to the ringside accompanied
! by Tom Flanagan, who has been acting
I for johnson.
At 1890 O'Clock, Announcer Jim Mac,
exhibited Johnson's re ceipt for 10000
the balance due him on the purse, and the
- ming of these papers was explained
20 the crowd in Spanish and English.
NO BIG BETTING.
No big betting was reported at the ring
! side, but the betting machines were quit
! literally patronized in amounts from s.
TO $40, the players picking the winne
and the round
Before the ring was completed the bil
gong had arrived and was placed in posi-
I ton.
Bob Vernon, the official stakeholde
and timer for the fight, took his place
at the ringside. Otto Floto, timer fol
Willard, and Sam Bennett, timer for
Johnson, sat on either side of Vernon
President Menocal of Cuba took
seat in box in front of the grandstanC
4 about 100 feet from the ring. Ill
: was preceded by the commanding officer
I. of the Cuban Army and the Cuban Navy
|. The sun was shining brightly at 1914
: O'Clock, and jockeys then we're exercising
d. their horses in the back stretch in anticl
: patton of the races late this afternoon.
I BATTLE DELAYED.
/ At 1920 o'clock il was apparent tina
t the fight would not start on time an
/ might not begin until o'clock.
I At o'clock neither of the fighters ha
i appeared in the ring.
Z johnson entered the ring at l Is O'Clock
I The attendance was estimated a
i 10000. Only a few of the $40 seats wer
I vacant The sun began to pour dow
i hotly, and all danger of rain ceased.
i Willard entered the ring at 20 O'Clock
Z prolonged yells and cheering announces
Z the appearance Of Willard. The crow