The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-03-29
NEVER HAVE TWO SUCH BIC
 FIGHTERS CLASHED IN RING
Johnson Willard Bout, Scheduled For Next Mon
 day, Unique in Fistic Annals.

not been noted for aggressiveness or boxing ability. Whether he can rise to the opportunity will be demonstrated in the supreme test at Havana next Of a now champion, towering far above many of his predecessors. adds 9 glamor to the battle which the pro-. moters have had in mind since they began the preliminary arrangements some months ago.
 without its delays and upsets is shown by the fact that if the pug1fsts meet as scheduled exactly six months will have elapsed since the day Jack Cur ley and the other promoters of the big bout decided upon securing Johnson's s signature to the articles of agreement The big champion was in France at that time and Curley was entrusted with. the commission to go and find the Texas negro and secure his en- dorsenaent on the articles which had been signed by Willard a day or two previously The syndicate which pro- noted the bout had picked Willard as the most promising of the waite heavweights to take the title from Johnson, and they still believe that the Kansan will prove the victor.
 CturIey arrived at Paris, France, ear ly in November only to find that John- son had gone to London, England There Ct1rley found him and after 2 good deal of persuasion succeeded In scoring the charnpion's conusent and signature. The moment Johnson signed his name to the contract, which stip- uIated that the contest should be scheduled for twenty to forty-hve rounds, Curley handed $1, ,000 to John son which was half of the amount to be allowed him for travelling and train ing expenses. This contract bearing the date Of November IS, last, assures h fSst teaT7r7 f1f 900, shall be paid to him before he enters the ring and that in addition Johnson is to receive one-half of the net amount received from moving pie lures to be taken of the contest
 CszrIey came back. to America and light oh the race track at Jaurez, Mex lico. on March 6. Early in January lCurIey received a cable from Johnson at Buenos Ayres, and immediately wired him Q, 1,000, the other half of the expense money, from New York and that time and for several weeks after ward CurIey believed that the bout would surely take place at Juarezs but lsubseuuently he had to change all his plans.
 Willard Ieft New for Fl Paso, Texas. in January and began training at the KnaubIaek Ranch, January 25, where he remained hard at work for month lAIeanwhile Gurley was disturbed with Irunors thai Johnson would not be able to reach Mexico in time The negro and his party arrived at Barbadoes. B. W. T., February 6, and sailed from that port for Cuba three days later. lon February 21 Johnson reached Ha- vana. and kept athe wires to Mexico lousy with messages to the effect that he would not fight at Juarez.
 Cur1ey was persistent in his efforts
 
 Isfarted for Havana where he met lJohnson on March g. There he made arran gements to have the bout take iplaee at Havana on April 3, but finally leettled every detail for the decision of the worlds championship at the Mari lanao race track next Sunday. Then lit was postponed until Monday.
 In the meantime Willard had broken 3up his training camp and started foz l Los Angeles, Cal, but was induced tc lreturn to Texas. He got to El Pasu on March n and accompanied by his Inanager and handlers left for New EOrleans en route to Havana the same ldays arriving in Cuba March 16.