Evening star., 1915-04-05
NEGRO FAVORITE TO LAST:
SCARCITY OF LARGE BETS
Thousands Occupying Seats at ORR
entail Race Track Include No
tables of Republic.
PRESIDENT MENoCAL THERE
Mayor of City and Hundreds of
Americans, Many of Them Women,
at the ingside-Battle
Late in Starting.

RINGSIDE, Havana, April S.
Jess Willard defeated Jack John
son in the twenty-sixth round.
RINGSIDE, HAVANA. April 5.-The
fight between Jack Johnson and Jess
Willard for the heavyweight champion
ship of the world started here at 1855
o'clock, Washington time. Willard
Weighed 23S pounds and johnson tipped
the scales at 22J.
The attendance is estimated at about
$1,000. Only few of the twenty dol
lar seats are still vacant.
vt l:It o'clock 1.40 Washington
jimcl Johnson made his appearance,
being applaudcd by the enthusiastic
tubans. one minute later he crawled
through the ropes clad in a gray bath
robe and wearing his usual golden
smile The neSros first move was to
ascertain where his wife was located.
Johnson entered the ring at 20
-Four minutes later prolonged Yelling
ance OF Willard. The crowd went wild
over the young fight giant, screaming
aud handclappirg as he crawled
through the ropes.
Willard wore 4 heavy red sweater,
Liue trousers and black sombrero.
Shake Hands for Movies.
In the challengers corner were the
following seconds: Willard's manager,
Cex ORourke; Jim Savage, Walter
hahan. Johnson was seconded by Tom
Flanagan, George Munro, Colin Bell,
Fam Mcvey. Dave Mills and Bob Arm
irong. The two pugilists shook hands
cleared of all except Referee Jack
Welsh, seconds and principals.
Both pugilists weighed in on the
scales in the ring. Wizards weight
peared considerably heavier. At 1:2s
the ring was ordered cleared. The pu-
gilists then shook hands.
Time was called at 1:53, Washington
time.
Picturesque Setting for Fight.
The sun broke through a darkly over
last sky as the crowds began to arrive
1t the scene of the fight. The setting
for the battle was picturesque. A ring
had ieen erected directly on the race
track in front of the big steel grand
stand which furnished the principal seat
ing facilities.
IN front of the stand the long slope
leading to the track was covered with
seats like those of circus About .-.e
ring boxes were arranged, set down on
the fiat track and more circus seats
y,ere In the field.
Ring-side box seats sold for SIS,
slope seats cost SEQ. while SIS was paid
for grandstand seats From SIS the
prices of other seats fell to s3 for gem
eral admission. but in addition to the
fight prices all spectators were re-
quired to pay 81 for the privilege of
witnessing the racing after the fight.
Ring Measures Eighteen Feet.
The ring for the historic battle was
eighteen feet inside the ropes. The
platform measured twenty-five feet. 1t
Was Of sturdy construction. being
strongly braced beneath to Withstand
the weight of the puGilists, Villa I'd
bong probably the largest man who
ever entered the prize ring for cham
piol,ahip fight.
Two hours prior TO the time at which
me night was set the ring was being
actively completed. The heavy hemp
ropes were wrapped twice with black
arc tape. Great care was taken in pre-
paring the floor beneath the red can
Sas covering, and a score of regular
req blankets were placed there as pad
ding.
From two platforms moving picture
n1schines were focused on the ring
tiFe machines comprised the battery
hree 70 be used regularly and two to
te held in reserve
There was great excitement about IL
Clock, when it was discovered that no
bue had thought about the bell TO he
sunS al the starting and stopping of
patched on the journey 10 Havana 10
Jurrhase a gong.
Cuban Troops on Scene.
'uoan troops began to reach tho
irack at 1880 O'Clock. several com.
Janies of infantry and two troops or
hhaki-clad cavalry being then on the
scene.
Ihe race course where the fight was
@nela @ is surrounded with green hills,
Ing palms. The fight management sea.
Ing the possibility of moving pictur.
3nachihes equipped with feIescopic
lenses. operating from tfe hills, had
guards stationed at all tho yan,aaa
points overlooking the fight arsna
At 1880 o'clock. one hour before ths
hght was scheduled to start .eye-aI
,honsahd persons had arrived and
found seats. but the more e.ners;y. ~
cations contained but few spectators
The first notables to reach the rin1-
side seats were the mayor of Hav.n.
ana the speaker of the Cuban house
o. representatives.
Mat Hinkel of Cleveland. the a,ter
nate referee of the big bout, came in ,
few minutes after the mayor. and a.
once began to help with the Anal ar.
raugements.
BY this time number of soldier,
had taken up their position around tn.
ring inclosure. As matter of fact
soldiers at this hour seemed to con
stitutee half Of the crowd
The ring was finished shortly befor.
noon. While the strongest, it un
doubtedly was also the crudest eve
erected for a world championship
fight.
The band III the grandstand enter.
o. tanned the gathering crowds. The frs
tune ii rendered was by the Beauti-
fuI Sea, which set the American con.
tingent whistiing.
Late arrivals at the arena told Of