The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-01-02
te the Farmero


 Jack Curley, managing director cf the Jess Willard company-by the way that's a new wrinkle, incorporating g. pugilist-has announced that Johnson and Willard will meet in a battle for. the championship of the world some Fl Paso states that Juarez. Mexico has been selected as the battle ground and March as the date for the big: doings.
 Now am not one of those persons who have attempted to poke fun at cut to the cEla1np npionshfp, and realize, pr9babfy to a greater extent than oth- CT critics, that the game is full of surprises and that the dark horse often brings home the bacon. The one objection have to advance to the the match is that Willard has not yet quaHded as the accredited representa- tive of the white race. the hope of the sports who for more than four years have been yainly seeking a white humble the big negro now at the head ef the division and who has been any thing but a credit to the sport
 I have repeatedly urged those back Of Willard to turn him loose among the leading white heavywefghts first, thus giving him an opportunity to prove his class T believe he can lick any and all of those at present active zy engaged in the pursuit of white hoping.'s but he should settle the ques- ton beyond all doubt If he can beat Smith, Coffey, Reich and the rest he should then be matched with Lang ford, AGcYey or eJannette any one would do and if found worthy of their support the public would rally to his eplors as one man, and the receipts on March 6 or whatever date selected for The bout with Johnson. would shame the record breaking s-gate'' at Reno. July < 1910- For. given a little en- eouragement in the way of a. fighter who figured on the dope to have a chance to bring back the titles- the sports would turn out in such mum bers that it would tax the ingenuity and resources of the promoters to build an arena large enough to ac- rommodate them.
 But nothing Willard has accomplish ed to date warrants the belief that he has the ghost of a show to defeat t1phnSon- Those who are roofing for Willard. and most white men are, pin their faith on the sole chance that Johnson $ mode Of living in recent der-and he will have to be pretty well down to. loses judging by what Jeks has so far shown in public On that fraiI hope the fans are forced to pase their hopes for a shift in the pu- Ealistlc deal next March
 Willard has not made much of a hit anywhere he has appeared outside Of N CIV York, where the fans are more aenfent than in other cities. But Jess last bout here with Carl Morris. an other elephantine product of the times almost cost every bit of respect local sports ever had for him.
 No matter how the bout ends there in bound to be a great deal of dissat- tsfaction expressed on all sides If Johnson wins the critics will roast sv- eFybody connected with it for foistinss Heated public while if Willard cons there is no telling what will be said and written Of the affair And all because Jess has not yet shown any thing worth while; whether through Humidity or lack Of opportunity win moi Hlake any difference in the public altitude
 While a white champion YvotiId be more than welcomed a title-holder who annexes honors by any other method man a victory on 'his merits will meet with a scant reception from the Amer acan public And should Willard de- feat Johnson and the public is at all suspicious of the result there will I,a 1ord or one of the other negroes Jeff in the hunt before they win accent htn as champion worthws of the name And this in spite of the prej1- qice existing against the holding of 1he title by black man. Amerioan sports do not want to see one of their race at thas head of pugilism unless he has demonstrated in fair combat his right to occupy that proud pin nacle.