El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-04-14

tempting to cover up any show OF
fatigue or distress by an appearance Of
liGht heartedness. Yes, the tide was
turning
I'm the Grand Old Man.
I'm the grand old man OF the ring
Johnson bawled TO the boxholders while
hUEging Willard tight in a clinch.
Acain as Willard missed a right swing
By couple Of feet johnson shouted, II
must be a great man II this fellow can
lick me" The comedy deceived no one
and Willard least Of all, for the eide Of
battle was flowing slowly in his direc-
ton as Willard advanced in the 18th
johnson drew him into a lead and
ccun- cred hard with a right handler to
the head This seemed to anger Will
lard, who made his first real show OF
spirit with a frenzied rush such as
johnson had tried earlier but long
since abandoned. Johnson brought him
to his senses and he became a little
mere deliberate but continued to force
the milling.
The crowd went wild with excitement
in the 18th round, when Willard gained
a big advantage After a series of iabs
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 its effect Johnson began TO hack
away and Willard jabbed him at will
Il was the beginning Of the end VIII
lard appeared as strong as at the start
and was reasonably fresh IN the bar
gain. while Johnson looked troubled
and very tired
A scOwl replaced the forced smile on
JOhnson's face in the 18th round. when
he started a last ditch stand. Instead
Of leading he went entirely on the de-
fensive for a time Finally he lashed
pressed him close, naying the fat body
and earning a grunt with each new
punch Willard was still careful, how
ever He seemed fairly sure that the
appeared to feel that he had all after
noon for the job and refused TO jeopar-
die his own chances by any lack OF
caUticn
Negro Cant Make Him Lead.
The goth session was slow and the
time for an attack. but the patient /
Willard outwitted him. Now when /
J Johnson made Up his mind to rush, I
Willard stepped aside instead Of meet I
ing 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 !
assailant and as though expecting an
attack from the rear. Willard did not /
follow him, though That was not in. the I
cards as he had laid them out When /
j ohnson got ready to face about and /
raise his weary arms he found the big
white fellow standing where ne had 4
stepped as the rush went past
In the next round and the next Will ]
lard walked slowly but surely into his 7
opponent There was no avoiding him
Constantly he bored, seeking an open
ing. but was unable to penetrate the 1
negroes guard. Johnson blocked like a I
Fencing master and backed away as
steadily as Jess advanced When Will 4
lard got close enough Jack grabbed his /
arms and fell into a clinch. Here again /
the advantage was all with Willard.
VINO towering above the black. rested !
the full weight Of his huge bulk anon !
the exhausted champion.
Willard Opens Hard.
Willard opened the oath round with
a jab and Johnson replied in kind, but I
an exceedingly light variety. Several
times this was repeated. while Tom /
} Zones howled advice. He saw as many
others did that Johnson was rested up I
a uifle and was stalking his all on one
blow when Willard should Law !
himself open. There was consfderab bic |
now and Johnson turned each |
clinch into wrestling match, again !
with the odds against him
Johnson was a beaten man before the /
bell sounded TO close the 25th round I
He was hitting lightly and backing I
away, with the memorable Willard In
slow but sure pursuit, when Jess Iashed Z
away with right hand blow for the I
body His glove seemed to fairly sink !
out OF sight IN the paunch OF the negro. I
J Johnson was hurt and showed it. There |
were cries for Willard to finish him I
then and there, but he merely kent on /
his unflurried advance and Johnson Z
was backing into his own corner as the
bell rang
The Last One.
Tom Flanagan leaped UP to the ring
evel and held excited conversat ton with
ohnsOn while his seconds worked fran
really with sponge, water towel and
sttmulants. As the gong Changed for
what turned out to be the closing
round, the 26th. Johnson was in no
hurry to leave his corner at the bell
and Jack Welch called to him to hurry
lp. He came slowly TO the center. In n
moment willard cut loose a nnrrerfnI