The Washington times., 1915-04-02
Welsh Is Thought to Have Been
Selected Because He Has
Never Been Known to Stop
a Mill.
Question of WiIIard's Being Cut
Up Enters Into Big Scrap
PossibiIities-Cur and
Jones Confident.
BY BARRY FARIS.

HAVANA, April "A new point
was raised in the Johnson Willard
fight talk today and the betting ele-
ment discussed it seriously. 1t was
this: Can Referee Welsh stop the
fight if Willard is badly cut UP and
staggering blindly around the ring?
Both Jack Curley, Johnson's man
ager, and Tom Jones, plotting the
white hope, registered emphatic de-
malls. They declared Welsh had
been selected because he mad never
been known to stop fight. There
is no danger, according to Curley
and Jones, that Wizards chances of
going the entire distance will be
spoiled by Welsh if his face is being
ribboned by Johnson's blows.
Notwithstanding this assurance, the
Willard bettors were much worried
They fear that the champ may slash
away at theS white man until the Ha-
vana police enter the ring and call a
halt Curley pointed out that the
Havana police have done a bull fight
or two and never took an active inter-
est in the prevention of bloodshed.
Nevertheless, the men putting the coin
on willard to stick for the entire dis
tance, carried furrowed brows.
Rain caused the abandonment of road
work at both training camps today.
The Johnson Willard fight Will be on
the level. certainly as far as Johnson
Is concerned. There isn't the slightest
chance of its being thrown.
make this assertion with confidence
following a long talk with the cham
pion today. Also, johnson Is utterly
and supremely confident that he can
not lose.
johnson will not LAY down" before
Willard. 1t will be stand-up, knock
out, dragout battle from the dark
corner of the ring. Johnson is out to
Wtn-and quickly.
Johnson's talk with. me gave every
sign of frankness and candor. with
him it's question of coin. He realizes
that retention of the title means more
he'd be a dead coon" financially. He
realizes FULLY that If he loses he
wouldn't ever draw scent piece any
where as an eX-champlon. With the
title again tucked firmly under ms ms
belt, Johnson thinks his exchequer will
never want, and that he will be good
for big money any time and anywhere
except for his enforced expatriation
from the States
After tuckng away Willard, johnson
plans a harvest on tour Of South
America and France.
I'll admit l haven't worked my head
off," Johnson told me. | don't have
10. Look me over. Feel of my muscles
You won't find a soft spot anywhere
I'm ready for the gong right now. Fol
weeks I've trained easily. but steadily
gradually working back into my present
fit condition.
Willard is n novice. any way. II
admit he is a big fellow, young ant
strong. But there's nothing to 1t. He
isn't the first big. young fellow I,y' Iy'
I ri "a
Johnsons confidence of winning
Vcrgcs upon arrogance. He derides anc
ridcules Wizards chances.
Betting was still light today: ther.
were plenty of jawbone wagers, bu
little real money being covered Tn,
odds remain around to s.
NJ. ]. Hinkel, of Cleveland. was to
day named alternate referee for th
Johnson Willard fight. He will refere
IN case Jack Welsh is for any reason
unable to reach Havana In time
If Welsh does get here, it will b.
IIinkers duty 10 sit at the ringsid
ready to step in and relieve Welsh II
case the latter should be knocked GU
by a stray punch, or suffer from SUI
sickness.
This decision was reached at a meet
ing of the principals and promoter
held late today. At the same time Bo
Vernon, of New York, was appointe
official timekeeper Of the club, wit
Ben Harris, also of New York, as alter
nate. Sam Leonard, of Toronto Is tn
timekeeper for Johnson. Willard toda
named Otto Floto, of Denver, as hi
timekeeper.