The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-25
Champion Has Every Natural
Advantage Over Opponent.
Size, Weight and Reach Are
All in His Favor.
But MORAN IS CONFIDENT
Challenger Depends Upon In
fighting Ability to Win.
Record Crowd and Purses for a
Ten-ROund Bout.

New York, March 25.-With the
wagering close to three to one IN lis
favor. Jess Willard, heavyweight
champion OF the world, will meet
Frank Moran in ten-round no-decl-
sion bout here tonight for the largest
purse ever offered for a contest OF
this scheduled duration. The two pu-
gilists will receive $71,250, posted by
Tex Richard, the promoter of the
match. Notwithstanding the size of
the purse, Richard will clear a hand
some profit on the venture, since every
seat in Madison Square Garden mas
been sold and the receipts are estl-
mated at close 20 $4,000.
Although Willard is a tCp-heaVy IA
vorite. interest IN the outcome OF the
bout is intense, and the greatest gain
ering of fight fans that ever thronged
into and about the Garden is expected
at that historic show hall this even
ing wher the principals enter the ring.
Few large bets have been placed on
the contest owing to the difference IN
the odds end acknowledged physical
advantages possessed by Willard over
Moran Hundreds of small wagers on
the result and on various angles of
the fight nave been made between
friends beth in this city and among
the large delegations of spectators
and middlewest.
hIoran's Chances Slim.
Moran and his camp followers as
sert that the Pittsburg heavyweight
will win from Willard in decisive
fashion on points if not by a Knockout
but the great majority of the box
ing enthusiasts cannot be convinced
that the Kansas cowboy Will tau
victim to Moran's PUSHES and blows
1t is pointed out that the conquerer
of Jack johnson is physically superior
in every respect to his opponent ana
that in a bout of but ten rounds II
would be little short of a ring miracle
for Moran t. stretch the champion
on the floor for the count.
In boxing ability, the two pugilists
are conceded to be about equal. but
beyond that point Willard has a
marked advantage over Moran in al
most every department of glove hght-
ing as well as in physical makeup
He will outweigh Moran by close to
fifty pounds. stand between five and
six inches above the Pittsburg slug
ger and have a longer reach, of more
than six inches. than Moran. Both are
extremely powerful hitters in proper
ton to their size. but here again Will
lards greater physique and strength
give him a wide margin over Moran.
The latter is the more aggressive
boxer of the two, but the champions
towering height and ability to block
with his ong arms initiate against
the chances of the smaller pugilist
landing a knockout blow to the head.
The task of reaching Wizards body
is not so difficult, but in all his bouts
to date the kansan has shown ability
to take very hard blows in his mid
section without slowing up. From
defensive standpoint, Willard is con-
sidered to be one of the best equipped
n
Dangerous When Aroused.
Willard is equally formidable often
sively when aroused, but, as rule,
lacks the aggressiveness necessary to
win from an opponent of Morans cali
bre in ten rounds or less. His best
blows are short left jab and a right
hand uppercut. These blows he. uses
almost continually and owing to his
long reach and great strength the
great punches carry terrific power
when Willard puts full force into them.
Under pressure he can and does fight
with other blows and carries a knock
out in either hand when mixing saw
agely.
In his awkward and ponderous
style. Willard is almost as fast on his
feet as Moran, although he seldom
uses .footwork to avoid an opponent.
At close quarters he should be able
to hold Moran safely, although the
latter W1Al De dangerous II ne can tear
loose long enough to uncover his abil-
ity and power as an infighter
Both pugilists virtually completed
their training on Thursday and each
claims to be in perfect condition for
the battle Moran has been on edge
for the bout for close to two weeks
and his trainers have had more diff
Guilty in holding him to physical form
than Wizards handlers. The cham
pion was slow to round into condition
since he had been out of the ring for
almost a year while Moran, because
of his recent bouts, responded quickly
to the conditioning routine. Willard,
however, once he settled down to hard
work dropped weight and increased
his speed rapidly and while it is doubt
full if he is in the same magnificent
shape that he was when he met John
son at Havana, he should be able to
box the full ten rounds at top speed
if necessary.
The Referee.
Whatever the outcome of the battle
the two heavyweights will be well re-
paid for their training and struggle in
the ring. If the contest goes the full
distance the principals will receive
S7,125 per round or at the rate of ST.
375 per minute. OF this sum willard s
S791.66 per minute, The purse of ST.
$50 is the largest ever offered for a
ring battle of any distance with the
exception of the $121,O00 given to