The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-04
EVERYTHING IN
 READINESS FOR
 CHAMPIONSHIP F|ST|C BATTLE
In FOrty-Eight Hours More the Big Fight Between Johnson and Willard
 Will Be on at
 Havana

Havana. April s.-Eorty-eieht hours before their battle for the worlds championship Jack Johnson and Jess Willard were declared to be in ms nearly perfect physical condition as their systems of training could accom- pIish. They are fit to fight for their lives, they say. and will go into the ring Monday afternoon ready for the struggle. whether it be short and fierce or drawn out to the limit of endure ance.
 There is 10 years difference in the age of the two men; Willard not only is the younger, but has the better of the height and reach. However, Johnson is exceed ingly muscular, and will weigh more than he did in any previous fight Today he probably weighed 22S pounds, but will take off three or four pounds drying out" tomorrow and Monday forenoon. Willard wishes to enter the ring at 240: he is about five pounds over that now Each will carry into the ring from five to seven pounds of superfluous flesh in order to have something aside from mus
 
 cular energy to burn up during the strug- gle.
 The apparent endurance of each is un- limited. There is a wide difference of opinion among fight experts over the pos sible length of the fight; the style of the principals and the advantages each pos sesses. It is generally admitted, how- ever, that the champion is Wiliards mas ter in the science of offensive and defen- sve fighting. and that he is faster on his feet and with the eye Whether he can make this science effective, in the shape of blows landed in the right place, remains to be seen.
 The negro's best blows are left jab and a right uppercut, although he has a terrific swing with either hand It is thought he may have difficulty in landing his left jab on Willard's face, owing to the cowboys five and half inches advan- tage in height.
 The same may prove true with his fa- nous right uppercut to the jaw, and Johnson may change his usual tactics and pound the body at every opportunity, for Willard, so far as has been observed, covers his body in a rather loose and careless fashion.
 Willard, however has learned to snap
 
 is extremely effective owing to his enor- mous reach. The negro can look for trouble in this direction. The white mans swings and straight drives have more power behind them than Johnsons al- though his huge, smooth rrrns. with their elastic muscles, his shoulders and back are not so impressive as those of the black Hercules. who has great punched and knotted muscles standing out from trunk and shoulders.
 Johnson has the advantage of quiclSness and sureness of foot Although he shuf- fes about, he has the movement of a cat and is a fine judge of distance. Willard is slow and appears at times uncertain of the next step. Frequently he finds him. self in an awkward, unbalanced position.
 Expert opinion supports the belief that 1t will either be a very short fight or a very long one In the past it has been Johnson's policy to haze his opponent come to him. It is thought possible that on Monday he may change his tactics and rush, figuring on getting past Williard's comparatively mediocre defense for a knockout, while he is strong and fresh. If that is impossible, he is likely to re- sort to q crafty wearing down system.
 Willard's best chance to win lies in a terrific smash landed in a mix-up, or the slow gruelling of the older man, although in the latter case much depends on the virtually unknown ability of both to stand punishment such as only these giants can deal.
 Willard is a better fighter now than ever before in his life, but the ques- ton is whether he is good enough to whip Johnson. On the other hand. - is generally agreed that Johnson is slower than he was five years ago when he fought Jeffries, but many observers sur- mise that he has not gone back much. This has reduced the fight question to whether Willard has advanced far enough to meet Johnson going back
 All realize that there is psychological chance as well as a physical side to the fighting game, and many believe that in that respect Johnson has the advantage He always has been confident in enter ing the ring and he has shown ability to keep his head in times of stress.
 The championship will be settled before gathering largely foreign to the fight CTS, although several thousand Ameri- cans have arrived here and all those in Cuba seem to have come to Havana.
 The Cuban public will easily pay for the battle and make up the s3o,000 purse Johnson is to get, win or lose No one knows exactly what the arrangements are with Willard but it seems certain that even should he win the champion ship he will receive no money until all expenses are settled and then only a percentage of the net receipts Although Willard attracts little atten- tion in the streets, as compared with Johnson. who travels about good deal in an automobile with his wife yet the white man Is great favorite among the Cutans and carries considerable portion of their wagers.f His training camp has been extremely popular, and victory by him would be wildly acclaimed. While Cuban authorities readily granted permission for this fight, they will not, 1t Is announced. sanction fights between local white and black men in the future They say they are not concerned with foreign race problems, but have their own to deal with. They are not tak1r~' any chances of untoward happenings on Monday, however, as militia will be free ly disposed about the arena.
 There is less actual betting on this contest than on any similar match in years. There are so many uncertain angles to consider that the big betters are doubtful where to put their money. Bcb Vernon, stakeholder for syndicate, said Johnson had authorized him; to offer to bet any part of $1O,0O0 on the champion at 6 to ,6. But the champion did not give Vernon the money and there was no rush of Willard supporters to cover the offer, The Willard men say they want odds of to 1. There is no chance such odds will be given by Johnson adherents. Johnson notified the promoters that he was not satisfled with the plan for ,e | 19-foot ring. which he considers too small | for big men. Consequently the pugiliste | will battle in 20-foot ring with a three