The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-05

a.uzs-s.a.ansuzzusasu.-.assaz So.
noon. While the strongest. it I'M.
doubtedly was the crudest ever erecteet
| for a worlds championship fight.
Many automobile wrecks along the
narrow and crowded road from Ha-
vana were reported, but up to noon
there had been no serious accident
There was a liberal percentage of wo-
men among the spectators. AoSf OF:
them occupied box seats and many OF.
them were Americans.
No big betting was reported at the
ringside but the betting mach1nesl
were quite literally patron1zed IN
amounts from two to ten dollars, the
players picking the winner and the
round. Before the ring was complet-
ed the big gong had arrived and was
placed in position
Time Keepers ON the Job.
Bob Vernon, official stakeholder
and timer for the fight, took his place
at the ringSfde at noon Otto Eloto,
timer for Willard, and Sam Bennett,
timer for johnson, sat on either side
of Vernon. President MenoeaI OF
Cuba took a seat in a box in front
of the grand stand He was preceded
by the commanding officers of the Gu
ban army and the Cuban navy
AT that hour the crowd was pouring
in rapidly. The Cubans showed
much excitement, even in anticipation.
Johnson arrived at the track at
:
His wife came to the ringside accom-
panied by Tom Flanagan. who has
been acting for johnson.
AT half past IL o'clock, Announcer
Jim Mace exhibited Johnson's receipt
for $4,000, the balance due him on
the purse, and the meaning of these
papers was explained to the crowd in
Spanish and English.
The sun was shining brightly at
1910 and jockeys were then exerciS-
ing their horses in the back stretch in
anticipation of the races late this
afternoon.
about 5000, only a few of the twenty
dollar seats are still vacant The sun
began to beat down holly and all dan
ger of rain seems past
At iii p. m. 40 New York time)
johnson made his appearance, being
+applauded by the enthusiastic Cubans-
One minute later he crawled through
the ropes, clad in a gray bath robe
and wearing his usual golden smile.
The negroes first move was to ascer-
tain where his wife was located.
Willard entered the ring at 1920 p
m. Four minutes later prolonged
appearance of willard The crowd
went wild over the young fight giant,
screaming and handclapping as he
era wled through the ropes.
Willard wore a heavy red sweater,
blue trousers and black sombrero.
In the challeuser'S corner We're the
following seconds: Wizards mama
ger. Tex O'Rourke, Jim Savage and
Walter MOnahan.
In Johnson's corner were Tom
Flanagan and George Munroe, Sam
McVey. Dave Mills, Bob Armstrong
and Colin Bell.
The two pugthsts shook hands Tor
the movies The ring was gradually
cleared of all except Referee Jack
Welsh, seconds and principals.
Object to Woman.
Johnson objected to a woman spec
tator in the press ringSlde stand and
she retired to an adjacent box. The
negro stripping bathrohe, showed clad
in bright blue trunks and no belt.
Willard wore dark blue trunks and an
American flag as a belt.
The seconds from their quarters
carefully Inspected the gloves of both
Of the fighters.
Both pugilists weighed on the scales
in the ring. Wizards weight was
23s; Johnson's 225. The negro ap-
peareda considerably heavier.
At 1928 the ring was ordered clear
ed. The pugilists then shook hands.
Time was called at 1:53, New York
time.
johnson Prepared Cody.
johnson prepared cody to defend
his title. His only indications of ner-
Jack Curley and other hackers of the
fight would arrive at his headquar-
tiers with the $4,000 cash named in
the negroes contract as signed in
Paris. This very important event was
set for IL O'Clock. Johnson ehatted
and laughed with the men about him
during his preparations for the trip
to the ring as if he had not a care
in the world. This supreme self con-
fidence is rated as one of the cham
pion's best assets, especially against
man of nervous temperament.
Willard retired early last night,
a refreshing sleep. He said he was
glad the day of the fight had arrived,
as he had been training nearly nine
weeks, first having got in condition
to fight at Juarez, March 6.
Wizards Plans.
Tt was apparent that Willard was
10th to discuss his plan of campaign.
He did say, however, that he proposed
to go slow, and that he expected to
take a good deal of punishment dur
ing the first ten rounds, hoping to
wear Johnson down and get an oppor-
tunity to land knockout blow.
Willard was confident that if he
could land two or three rights on
Johnson that the fight would soon
end Willard said Johnson's ability
as a boxer would give him opportun-
early rounds of the fight, but never
in his ring career had Willard felt
any discomfort from any blow de-
Ivered on his body. and he did not
very fit indeed when ne left his quar-
tiers for the park The inflammation
to his eye from the splash of cholo-
form liniment last night yielded rap
idly to treatment, and it is not be-
lieved it will have any i'll effects.
1t was the old story of skill and
strength against youth and strength
with the betting odds at to 5 on
Johnson's skill. johnson, one of the
largest men who ever stepped into a
prize ring, faced an opponent meas
urably larger and ten years younger
than himself The negro champion is
* NenrS old WILLARD ia IS. weighs