The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-31
he DOESN'T WORRY
Negro Champions Ego Is as
Strong as Ever.
Big Fight Will Be Quite a
Society Event.
(Bv Ed. w. Smith.)

Havana. March 31.-If Jack John
son loses the fight with Jess Willard
next Monday it won't be because ne
has lost his old ego. He is as strong
a ever with it Despite the fact that
many think Johnson is in poor condl-
ton the former confidence is there
1 saw Jack for the first time TINS
week since the Las Vegas Johnson
Flynn fight and he looks as good as
ever / Just had time to get from the
boat to the camp to watch the tlnlsh
of his workout Tuesday He is heaVy'
no doubt, but is now only II pouhdS
heavier than he was when he fought
Moran in Paris last July. He is bury
and big all over but the flesh doesH |
lie too prominently over the waist
line The back, shoulders, arms ana
legs all have it. He simply has got
bigger than ever before. 1t is not pig
ness so much as burllnesS that I'm
presses. The speed is all there: ne
is fast on his feet in the workout, mas
the sa me old speed with his head ana
hands and if he ever has dissipated he
doesn't show it.
Never Worries a Wink.
win? You know | will, Johnson n
me and he can't Worried over his
size? Never worried in my life. 1 am
made of iron. 1 must be- never
really fretted over a fight yet and Just
can't now They say L must win IN
an hour or 1 won't last. Bosh- He
can't last an hour and if he does he
won't be worth much. Willard IS too
slow with his head and size don't
count against superior skill and
speed. This is my climate, not his
We will fight during the hottest part
of the day. Willard trains in the
shade; I'm in the sun. 1t makes a big
difference, he'll find
Il need this extra weight against
him. 1 won't be bothered by it long
as it doesn't hurt my speed. L was
never more certain and will win I'M
less some accident comes.
An influx of prominent critics has
made the town look like a
real fight center. Everybody here
is wild over the fight. EIa-
vana and the near country are sure
to turn out in large numbers. The
ticket sale has been heavy.
Expenses Taken In.
1t is claimed the expense of $64,0O
is now almost in. Florida is sure to
send a big delegation. The reserva-
those made at FL Paso and the amount
of money has been taken in
Willard is training in an ideal spot
and looks even better than he did
when he broke camp at Ell Paso. He
is in perfect form, say the doctors, and
his mental attitude continues fine. lie
is just as confident as Johnson. Will
lard has a great following here and
will carry a heavy wad into the ring.
Sentiment is queerly divided, the
blacks betting as heavily on Willard
as on their own color. The whites are
split Similarly there are queer freaks
in bets. Johnson is favorite at Z to o
but often big chunks are offered at 2
to l. Willard people grab this Gag
erIy.
Stories of the fight having been
made society event are borne out by
the reservations. The biggest people
in Cuba are buying tickets. 1t looks
as though Havana might become a
great fight center.
Willard Takes a Rest.
Havana, March 31.-Quiet prevailed
Tuesday in both training camps.
Willard did no work, aside from an
early morning run on the road. In
the afternoon he took a swim and
then visited the race track, where he
was followed about and cheered by a
big crowd. In his training Willard
makes it a practice to rest one day
during the week.
Today he will go through a hard
course, but thereafter will do just
enough work to hold him to his pres
ent form.
johnson is also letting down grad
ually in his work.
There has been no change in the
betting on the outcome of the fight,
johnson remaining the favorite at
about to 1.