The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-06
Willard is Now Champion of the World
THE BIG BATTLE BY ROUNDS

Johnson arrived at the track at i2.25,
 but did not appear until later. His wife
 came to the rngside, accompanied by
 Tom Flanagan. who has been acting for
 Johnson. and was introduced to Bob Ar
 nold-
 Al l2.@ Announcer Jim Mace exhibited
 Johnson's receipt for seeooo, the balance
 due him on the purse, and the meaning
 of these papers was explained 10 the
 crowd in Spanish and English.
 At Ill o'clock this afternoon Johnson
 made his appearance, being applauded by
 the enthusiastic cuhans. One minute later
 he erawled through the ropes, clad in a
 gray bathrobe and wearing his usual
 smile. The negro's first move was 10 as-
 certain where hls wife was seated
 Willard entered the ring at l;2O D. m.
 Prolonged cheering announced the appear
 ance of Willard The crowd went wild
 over the young fight giant, screaming and
 handclapping as he erept through the
 ropes
 Willard wore a heavy red sweater, blue trousers and black somhrero. In the challenger's corner were the fol- lowing seconds: Tex oRourke. Jim Saw age and Walter Mahan. Johnson was
 seconded by George Munro, Collin Bell sam Mcyey, Dave Mills Tom Flana gan
 and Bob Armstrong. The two pugilists shook hands for the movie operators.
 The ring gradually cleared of all except
 Referee Jack Welsh, seconds and rrinei-
 pals
 Johnson objected to women spectators in the press ringslde stand, and they were retired 10 an adjacent box. The negro, stripping off his bathrope, showed clad in bright blue trunks and no belt. The seconds from rival quarters care fully inspected the adjustment of gloves of both of the fighters.
 Both pugilists weighed in on the scales in the ring. Willards weight was 2S; Johnson's 225 The negro appeared con siderably heavier.
 At 1;2S the ring was ordered cieareu' The pugilists then shook hands. Time was called at 1:53, New York time. Round 1--Johnson feinted and landed
 his left on Willard's jaw. Repeated up percuts with right to Willards jaw. The latter was very nervous. Johnson was laughing. Willard drove two lefts to tho negro's body. Johnson drove right to Wil- lard s body
 Round 2-Johnson easily blocked VII lard's leads, feinting him out of position and scoring right and left to jaw. Will lard replied with a thrashing right to the negro's body. Johnson then hooked left to the stomach. Johnson then landed 1 three lefts to the body. Willard laughed. | Johnson then drove Willard to the ropes I with tattoo of lefts to the face. Round 3-After much fenting Willard missed a right swing and both laughed. l Johnson rushed and scored left on the 1 body and a right 10 the jaw. Johnson landed left on body. Willard asked: "ls
 that the way you do it2'
 Laughs at Willard Round 4-Willard lunged ineffectively Johnson laughed at his clumsy strides There was much feinting. Johnson lande a left to the ribs and swung his right an left to the body and his left to Willard face Willard's lip was bleeding. Wilar
 scored a left to Johnson's nose. Round 5--Johnson poked light Tel I and right to Willards face The ref cree ordered the fighters to break froI | a clineh. The negro smashed hard [ willard's ribs and drove three blow | to the cowboys stomach. The cham, pion rushed Willard to the ripes, SCOT | ing punches to tho head and to thu body Willard was badly distressed ] The challenger was rattled and boxed l like an amateur l Round 6--The negro was calm at the outset of this round. He beat Willard 1 to the ropes with a fus1lade of lefts. l On the break Johnson landed q smash | to the giants jaw. The negro rubbed Willards cut lip at every opportunity. The negro landed three crashing blows to Willard's unprotected body. At the bell Johnson was hammering hard at Willards body. The cowboys left cheek was cut.
 Round 7--Johnson was using every
 artifice to force the fighting. He rushed