The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-06
WILLARD PUTS
JOHNSON AWAY
In 18TH ROUND

ring and stands went on n strike IN the
morning and all was confusion Mt the
race course. Finally the trouble was
patched up and tho men resumed work
with a rush. But II was not until nearly
the hour for calling tho men into the
ring that the last nail was driven.
Than II was necessary 10 lay padding
and canvas and stretch the ropes. The
crowd began to grow impatient. espe-
oially In the cheaper sections. while
hories OF ushers attempted to placate
reserved seat holders whose chairs were
not then in place. Finally some sem
blence OF order resolved itself out Of the
chaos and 400 Cuban soldiers armed TO
the teeth with rifles. bayorets and re-
volvers. filed In and took stations about
the arena
Forty-five minutes hate. Johnson and his
party. including Tom Flanagan, George
Monroe and a horde of bucket holders
ard towel wielders. made their way 20
the ring. Willard and his encourage
followed q few minutes later. The only
prelimirares after the men dOnned their
gloves was a pretended conference IN the
centre OF the ring with Referee W"lch.
This was for the benefit OF the battery
Of moving picture machines, OF which
there were i've The principals had
met earlier with Welch IN their Dress
INK rOOnls, Wlerc the question OF Vules
was gone over carefully.
Heavy clouds were hanging low and
many wore overcoats as protection
against the chill wind when time finally
was called at twenty -three minutes after
I o'clock. or 1 $50 New York time. John
sons weight was announced as 227
pounds. although ne looked heavier, and
II was whispered that the real poundaEe
was some fifteen pounds more. Wizards
weight was 23s pounds. the announcer
said.
white Man Awkward In Contrast.
The men shook hands, the bell changed
and the history making fight was under
way. Johnson started a left lab, which
fell short because he merely was at
tempting to draw Willard on. hut the
white man jerkcd his head back and
feinted very deliberately. 81 much so In
fact that II cause. n laugh. But this
merely was q foregunner of what was
TO follow many. many times. Johnson
walked In close and Willard fairly fell
into a clinrh. johnson tried TO uppercut
as the huggnc match was repeated. but
the blow lacked force. Then the negro
began to dance about. jabbing with his
eft and shooting the right for Willard 5
head without doing any damage. Even
this slight exertion started johnson to
putting and no said to his seconds dur
ing the minute respite that he was going
TO box slow for time.
For the next few rounds Willard con-
tfnued cautious and worked largely on
the defensive. making most Of his play
for the negro's corpucnt stomach when
they came close enough to take a chance
without exposing his Jaw. johnson also
was crafty, but lot 10 few vicious
swings that rocked Wizards head. Not
making any great amount of Roadway
hy this method Johnson cut loose In the
faith and started TO rough Il. He soon
found that ne had met his equal IN
strength and could not manhandle Will
lard as he did Jcffr1es and some Of his
earlier opponents
One left that found the pit OF Jess $
stomach made him vince and hold MS
guard low az Though the blow hurt.
Johnson lowered his arms for a mo-
ment ard made some sibe, hut tho white
refused to be drawn in. Of n sudden
Johnson made a sudden dash that car
ried Willard to the ropes. Wilari's hands
yrew busy in the enforced exchange and
Jack emerged with bleeding mouth.
Emboldened by the sight Willard caught
Johnson with n right clout on the sde
Of the head Just as the bell rams
Negro Notes OUT Pnnishment.
Johnson was breathing hard when
they resumed, but he lost TO time ~
leaping out OF hts corner and sv'nEinS
vita both N-lds. Willard took conside~-
ablo punishment in this session HIS
hurts Included a cut cheekbone from one
NJ Johnson's swings that landed high.
This sting seemed 20 arouse him and
he showed a sudden rally, but went back
to hs waiting tactics a moment later.
" a..
began 10 show notified red spots from
the tattoo o: blows which Johnson
showcTed n seeming desperation. In
stead of jabbng and awaiting an open
Ing for his right. Johnson again began
to fiail away with both hands. Willard
merely jabbcd back ard 3 trace OF GRIM
son appeared from the negro's mouth
Every t.rne this color appeared Il seemed
to stir Willard from his lethargy. Ir
the eighth round no let fly one OF his
occasional leads and as his right hand
grazed Johusons head II threw him of
his balance and ne went founder!ng.
Johnson's efforts began 10 tire him as
early as tho ninth round. He was blow
ing hard and began TO look so worried
that one enthusiast waved roll o.
greenbaclts and offered 10 bet $500 to
s40e that Willard would win. Thls
shout OF defiance was lost In the cries
OF encouragement 10 the two lighters,
Johnson kept UP an offensive In the
senth period that merely made willard
ltttlo more cautious and ended without
gaining the black much advantage once
ne got through Wizards guard with his
famous right punch, brought from far
back Willard rocked but did not turn
q hair and johnson was go furious that
ne rushed and carried the white mar
z.Ht -
clean blow Both rested up in the
eleventh, which had little real action
Johnson continually tainted his op'
pouent IN low tone. Presumably this
Was a volley of abuse, but II failed o.
it's purpose. for Willard made no reply
nor did lie alter his tactics in the slight
est degree
VictUr's Gnmen~ss Tested.
The twelfth was orc OF the best rounds
johnson showed His old SKIN was II
evidence and he boxed WITH greater pre-.
csiou. Willard Jahhed IN reply to a
dozen well placed blows and the whit.