Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-08
PUTS ONE OYER ON WILLARD
Fred Fulton. Of Original White
Hope Crop, Sends Jess Down for
Count in Private Go.
CHAMPION IS IN POOR SHAPE
nv RINasInE.

NEW YORK. Aug. III report
ernanatlng from upstate is 20 receive
any credence. Il win be many months
before Jess wizard is ready to don the
gloves again In defense OF his newly
acquired heavyweight championship. As
q matter OF fact the new title holder is
not in condition for hard contest. and
he would be jeopardizing his claim TO
100000 to engage In a ring battle with
a serious contender before another half
year.
The tale floats out Of Rochester. and
but for tact that II is attested 70 by
half dozen reputable business men. who
have taken oath as to its truthfulness.
the rumor would have to be taken with
few grains Of saline sprinklings This
Is the story:
While willard was modified In Roches-
ter, with the circus that pays him some
thing like 500 a week for performing
prodIgaI feats OF the plains, with lit
tie boxing on tho side. Manager Tom
Jones scored the town for heavyweight
20 put on the gloves with Willard for
three friendly rounds.
The loquacious Jones YVES introduced 20
a sixeable fellow. who announced him
self as Pred Fulton (Mr Fulton has
teen fighting professionally for five
years-ever since the mushroom White
Hope crop began TO appear In fact,
sutton was one of the pioneer Hopes"
along with willard and Carl Norris.
Joncs Informed Fulton that no rouge
stuff was 20 be INDUCED in That suited
SIR. Fulton lie was led 20 the camp,
The gloves were adjusted and time was
called.
champ IL Knocked Down.
Willard was feeling rather moodish and
rakod out a long left hook that would
have jolted Fulton into the arms OF
Morpheus. had II reached Its mark. Full
tan dueked the blow. and as he came up
~ caught Willard unawares with . right
swing to the jaw. The knees of Big
less sagged and he sank 70 the sawdust
II was a clean knockdown. Willard took
count rcgalned his feet and finished
oft the exhibition in good shape.
Only the circus attaches. including q
number OF cowboys. and several business
men, saw the exhibition. Nothing was
said about the Incident until few days
later, when enc OF the cow-punchers sug-
gefted that purse be collected to have
Willard take on Fulton In a regular
riatch.
Thats how Il all came out. OF course,
the details were easy to get. and Willard
LOW bears the stigma OF having been
fi.osrd since he became champion OF the
orld This occurred on May u. last, u
the story is to be believed. We refuse
10 commit ourselves, having fllched this
Item from Otto Floto. Take II for what
Il Is worth. willard has neither denieu
nor affirmed the Occurrences.
About two weeks ago willard was
showing up around Massachusetts,. Jones
again issued call for volunteers TO box
With the champion. One evening tall.
vandy-haired giant asked for a chance at
Jess. Jones ecduiesced.
Hoida His own.
The unknown boxed three rounds with
Willard and carried him along at n fast
pace. So fast II was that after the
brush willard took the stranger aside
and told him that with little more sea-
soning he might develop into a fairly
good fighter.
The newcomer thanked willard for the
praise, and said that he hoped to fight
him for the title some day. Jess smiled
and said that he hoped the other would
reach that state some day. A. the
blond giant was leaving the arena en-
old friend nearly ran into him and ex-
ciaimed: Hello, Sandy. what are you
doing Ground heref Trying TO steal Will
lard's title while his back r. turnedf'
Inquiry by willard led to the fact that
his opponent was Sandy Ferguson. who
has been in the fighting game for over
twelve yearA
NO wonder he knew 90 much" said
willard.
cOf2ey Through Resting.
Jim Coffey. the Roscommon giant. who
has been resting up since his battle with
Jim Flynn. win get into harness again
next Tuesday night when he oollides
WIKI the aforementioned Sandy Fergu-
son at q Boston club for twelve rounds.
Billy b. oibsons who is guiding the
pugilistio destinies OF Ccffey. thinks that
n his charge can diapose Of Sandy. Big
jim will be ready for a match with Jess
Willard.
Although Coffey scored a technical
knockout over Flynn (the bout being
stopped In the ninth round 20 save
Flynn. who had not been noored) the
Irtshman lost some prestige by his
showing. He was expected 70 stop the
old war horse within SIX rounds.
Gibson is OF the opinion that the lonR
layoff will improve coffey's effective
ness. We shall see.