The Washington herald., 1915-04-03

that he is, but I'll bet you something that
he isn't as strong as either Sam McNey
or Denver Ed Martin, the strongest men
ever met. Willard is what 1 call ficti-
tious strength. He doesn't know how TO
use it. He can't stand rough usage, l am
sure of that, and this is going to be a
rough fight A big punch Is no good un-
less it is backed by skill. The fighter
with a big wallop must know how to
get in we'll enough to use it and Willard
never will get in on me. He Is clumsy
and slow and doesn't breathe we'll. Jess
has lots OF weak points for a man fight
ing for the title.
Certain OF knockout.
Ny friends in the United States must
not worry over my condition. I'll so as
fast as ever and be the one standing up
at the finish. Yes, 1 feel certain of a
knockout inside of an hour
Johnson was sincere in every word he
said and emphasized his remarks with
sweeping gestures. He even stopped rub
bing time and again to make a point in
his talk. II looks from the inside of
the training camp as if Johnson is get
ting three times as much body massage
as an ordinary man in training.
There may be an undercurrent OF wor-
rying just the same, as johnson asks
many questions about his opponent, even
though he seems to know all about him.
Willard worked in the rain before big
crowd. and thought it did him good. His
work was much better than the day be-
fore.
Jess Looks Good.
Jess Is just beginning to taper off now,
and will do little more glove work. He is
certainly in wonderful condition in every
respect, and his friends think If he keeps
up courage and heart and doesn't fail in
the pinch he is sure winner
Jim Savage told me something to-
day. Jim said Se would rather take
a riGht-hand swing on the jaw from
an ordinary fighter than one of Will
lard's left jabs on the nose. Savage
says there never was a harder hitter
in Ne ring. and that Willard can
knock out sparring mates as fast as
they can get ready to face him.
Don't believe that Jess isn't clever.
either" said Jim. He is awkward
with his style. and doesn't look much.
but he is mighty hard to hit. He gets
away we'll, stays covered just long
enough, and generally is a bad man
to handle. willard is so strong he
knocks US around as he pleases, and
think him a sure winner on his
punch. He Is a good waiter. and will
tire the champion out in an hour.
Johnson never faced a hitter Of his
type. and will be the biggest surprised
man in the world when he feels the
sting"
Other sparring partners back Saw
age up, and some Of them make It
stronger. There was a mild riot at
Johnson's camp yesterday. 1t rainea.
and the champion didn't work. About
400 paid to see the workout, and they
raised rumpus when no money was
given back. The management agreed
to give rain checks, but the crowd
wouldn't. take them and broke the
gates down. The police finally had to
pull their guns to subdue the riot.
There Is a queer angle to the bet
ting here. Charley Calvin. a Euro
pean promoter. wants to bet $1,000
even money on Willard. but says he
cannot find any johnson money in the
city of Havana. Rack track bookies
are prohibited from making books on
the first. Oscar Bachman. a Chicago
thinks the price should be
between Z and s to s, with johnson
the favorite. but he won't bet any
thing. There Is lots Of talk about
bets. but most Of the money Is for