Imperial Valley press., 1915-04-05

Ringside, Havana, April 5.-Jess
Willard, Kansas cowboy, brought back
to the white race the worlds pugilstic
championship today. He knocked out
johnson in the twenty-siXth round
with a terrific right to the jaw after
rendering him almost helpless by n
right to the stomach and left to the
jaw. Willard bested the negro for
II rounds, Johnson took 3 and the rest
were even. To the seventh round the
fight was fairly even. In the seventh,
eighth and ninth Willard assumed the
lead. johnson showed to advantage
in the twelfth when, by furious spurt,
he caused his hackers to believe he had
had been travelling under wraps. 1t
was only a spurt, however. Willard
held johnson even until the nine
teenth, when he began again to pie
up the lead. Johnson was tiring rap
idly, age and condition telling. The
end came in the twenty sixth. John
son apparently tried desperately, but
Wizards strength and hitting power
were too great. Willard fought care
fully, used his left iab to advantage,
following repeatedly with his right
He even held his own at infighting,
which is Johnson's forte, and showed
general improvement. This, coupled
with Wizards superb condition, made
a new champion. The crowd gave an
ovation to Willard, carrying him on
their shoulders.
Johnson dropped like a log. He lay
supine and not muscle quivered. The
crowd leaped to the chairs.
Referee Welsh counted aloud, his
voice audible for many yards from
the ring on account of the silence. As
the seventh second was reached the
crowd began to shout, realizing that
Johnson was finished By the time
the final count was reached the audi
ence was in a frenzy,
The rurales had difficulty in re-
straining the excited mobs. Wizards
seconds rushed to the ring and low
ingly pounded the new champion.
Many Cubans forced their way to
the ring and tried to kiss him. The
rurales finally were compelled to call
for the aid of soldiers, who leaped
into the ring with drawn sabres and
kept the crowd away.
Hundreds of arms were reached
aloft as Willard left the ring and
carried him toward the dressing room.
Willard finally entered a big automo-
bile and plunged toward his hotel The
crowd was estimated at $4,000.
Clouds were lowering during the
morning, momentarily threatening to
pour rain. Large crowds, however,
journeyed toward the racetrack, where
the arena was built. Many were afoot
A few hours before ring time Will
lard appeared to be an 8 to 5 favorite
among the bettors, though there was
little heavy wagering. Both fighters
took long walks this morning. John
son was genial and joked with his
handlers. He boxed several rounds to
loosen his muscles and develop an ap-
petite, he said.
Willard was sullen and remained al
most alone in his training quarters
after brief light workout in the gym
nasium. His condition appeared per-
feet.
Cuban authorities have taken the ut
most precautions to prevent disturb
ance at the ringside, and $50 rurales
surrounded the arena when the gates
were opened. Half then moved inside
to preserve order.
The sun penetrated the clouds at
noon. President Menocal and his suite
occupied ringside box and all Gu
ban dignitaries were present. John
sons wife occupied nearby box and
there were hundreds of women in the
audience Just before Johnson entered
the ring it was announced that he had
been handed $29,999, the remainder of
his share of the proceeds, fulfilling
the agreement for advance payment,
Johnson entered the ring first. He
seemed confident, stretched his arms
and danced about, testing the boards
He was loudly cheered.
Willard was given an ovation. He
was stern and unsmiling.
Johnson weighed in at 225 and Will
lard at 22S.
The arena was comfortably filled
when they were introduced.