Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-05
WILLARD VS.. JOHNSON
nv BIG RING FIGHT


was scheduled to begin, the crowd about
the arena was estimated at 5000, and there
seemed no possibility that the total at
tendance could reach more than 1i,ODO
Considerable complaint came from spec
tators who had put up good money LOT
rlngslde seats About 1000 persons gath-
cred outside the park had better view
| OF the ring than did those who had Sc
cured seats in the stands decorated with
jntertwined Cuban and American tlags'
IT was announced that johnson received
$4,000 for his service in currency IN MS
| dressing room He had previously re-
ceived $1,000, making the $4,000 guaranteed
/ the champion when he accepted Nlllaru
! challenge.
| The officials wero introduced TO the
! crowd during the walt for the fighters TO
/ put in an appearance. The movie men
| put their machines into action and clicked
off several feet of film while the officials
/ bowed.
The start of the fight was delayed by
| the promoters awaiting the completion
! Of the seats and the arrival of all the
! spectators. While the carpenter work
! was being rushed Mrs. Johnson chatted
! with friends at the ringside. She de-
| clared herself absolutely confident that
the champion would retain his title, say
| ing:
"I am absolutely confident that Jack
| will win. l don't know in what round,
but Jack told mo he would knock out
| Willard before the goth and he keeps his
word"
The crowd continued orderly during tho
delay, but showed its impatience several
times with cries for the fighters to appear.
A mild burst of applause went UP as the
promoters and ring officials headed by
Jack Curley and Referee Jack Welsh,
were introduced. The other wcll-lSnown
A1,,p
Gibbons, the fighter, made their bow to
tho spectators.
Promoter Curley had row with Mace,
tho official announcer and dragged him
out of tho ring. Curley then put in
substitute. The crowd was growing
weary at the failure of the fighters to ap-
pear and hugely enjoyed this pre-
liminary" not on the afternoons card
The sun came out at 1868 The clouds
began to drift away and there was little
likelihood that rain would interfere with
tho spectators comforts. y wave of
handclappng greeted "Old SOL" the
Cuban contingent bursting forth into a
volume of "bravos" The Cubans mostly
occupied unprotected seats.
When the promoters were ready to so
ahead with the big quarrel, the fighters
themselves delayed the opening of pro-
Ceedings by failing to reach the arena at
the time set.
At 1888, 20 minutes after the time sched-
uled for the bout to begin, neither of the
fighters had made his appearance in the
ring. The American fans were becoming
impatient and showing their anger by
stamping and yelling Bring them out"
While the arrival of the fighters was
awaited the spectators kept themselves
busy with betting at the mutual ma
chimes. About 1000 were made that John
son would win while 1000 more were madel
on the duration of the fight
Tho fight by rounds:
First round.-Johnson came out conf
IDENTIFY. Tho white man wore n serious
look. Johnson rushed Willard at the
start forcing the white man back into
his corner. They clinched, and in the
broakaway oJhnson tapped lightly to
Wizards kidneys. Johnson was smiling.
Willard made Johnson lead, fighting vic
iously. Willard landed a left to the
Negroes jaw, swinging the champions
head slightly. Johnson countered with a
right to Wizards jaw. They exchanged
lefts to the body. Round even.
Round Two-Johnson laughed as Willard
missed "A left to the head. Willard re-
peated the same drive and landed a hard
left. Willard fented with his left and
shot a hard right to the body Johnson
lost his golden smile momentarily and
began rushing the white man. Willard
stood his ground and fought the negro
off. There was a spirited exchange of
blows IN the centre of the ring. johnson
landed right and Willard countered with
left to the negro's jaw. Wizards
round.
Round three-Willard made two swings,
but both missed. Johnson aimed his left
for the body. but Willard blocked it
neatly. Willard rushed the Negro, but
missed on another swing. They clinched
ia ri
five successive body blows. Johnson
broke through Wizards guard. landing
blows rapidly upon the white mans head.
Then he jabbed Willard's face Johnson
landed five on Wizards body, then began
kidding him. Johnson landed another on
Wizards body and one to the head
Johnson drove Willard to the ropes with
a shower of punches as the round ended
Johnson's round.
Round four-Johnson blocked three Iefts
by Willard. The negro blocked two more
and then they clinched. Johnson landed
right to body. Jack ducked Willards |
swing, which drove him to the ropes |
Willard followed with half a dozen blows |
to the body and failed. Johnson landed |
on the stomach, Willard missed a swing |
Johnson landed one in the face. Will |
lard's round,
Round hve-Johnson tented with his |
right and then sent n right to the body. |
lie sneered at Willard and said audibly: |
Don't tell me what youah going to do, |
Mr., willard" Johnson sent a left to the |
face In an exchange near the ropes |
Johnson emerged with his mouth bleeding |
slightly He feinted and they went into |
a cltnch. Johnson again rushed Willard |
to the ropes, landing two body blows. |
Willard landed left to the face Even
round.
Round siX-Willard took the offensive |
but missed a swing for the head. John
son drove Jess against the ropes with |
punches 10 the head. Johnson then landed
a terrific left on Wizards body, following
with a punch just below the heart. John
son landed left and right to the body.
Then another right 10 the body. Willard |
landed his right on Johnson's chin. john
son retaliated by driving Willard to the
ropes as the round ended Johnson's
round.
Round seven-Johnson was fighting
hard. Willard blocked all rushes nicely.
Johnson missed vicious right to body
and then landed left jab that was only
a tap.
The Negro landed left to the face and
followed this up with a hard right TO the
body, The Negro ran into a clineh. There
was another vicious exchange as they