The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-03-25
Puos' DECLARE THEY ARE IN
BEST CONDITION OF LIVES
FOR BIG BATTLE
Each Makes Statement and Expresses
Supreme Confidence-WiIIard 10
? to Betting Favorite.

NEW YORK. March 24.-Surround-
ed by the most representative as
semblage that ever witnessed a pugi-
Hstic encounter In this country, Jess
Willard and Frank Moran will meet
here tomorrow night In a ten round
encounter OF extraordinary possibiii-
ties While the heavyweight cham
pionship of the world, now held by WI
lard. Is virtually at stake. this feature
OF the contest fs forced into the back
ground to some extent by the large
amount of money involved in the
purse and gate receipts and the types
Of spectators who will attend.
According to the predictions OF the
Moran contingent. there is more than
an even chance that the heavyweight
title will change hands before the
tenth rornd is completed, but the pro-
motors OF the bout have not billed It
as a battle for the championship. and
Willard simply smiles when the possi-
bility OF his losing the title is men,
toned within his hearing. Under the
New York state boxing law, no de-
cision can be rendered by Referee
Charley White. and the only way that
Moran could WIN the title would be by
knocking out his opponent or winning
on foul committed by Willard. or to
have the contest stopped by the ref.
cree because the champion was I'M
able TO continue for any reason.
In many quarters, the probability of
any one of these contingencies is con-
sidered to be remote. but among the
admirers Of Moran IL is accepted as a
toregone conclusion that the Pitts
burgh heavyweight will put the con-
querer OF Johnson down for the fulI
count. While confidence fairly r 81
ates in the Moran camp and am. z
his close followers IL has little affect
on the wagering. Willard was quoted
As 3 TO favorite Immediately after
the signing OF the fight articles, but
these odds have shortened to some ex-
tent during the past week.
There are no official quotations or
odds on the outcome of the bout and
nothing that resembles wagering by
professional bettors.
Willard to f>Favorite.
Undoubtedly hundreds of private
wagers have been made at various
odds, but as these are not on record
u is difficult to fix on anything like
official quotations. In the bets made
on Willard to win a consensus verdict
among the experts at the ringside, the
champion at present rules a favortte
az about to I. Wagering Is 3 to 1
that willard will knock out Moran and
10 that Moran cannot stop Willard.
In fact. the betting on the various
angles of the bout sinks itno insignifi-
,ance when compared with the many
other financial features of the con-
test. With gate receipts OF close to
sl50.000 assured and a purse of S7I,.
$50, in addition to $4,000 OF moving
picture money TO be divided between
the pugilists and promoters, wagers of
five to ten dollars look like copper
cents scattered In a treasury reserve
vault.
Tex Richard, the promter OF the
bout. was forced to raise his bid sew
eral times before he secured Willard
signature at $4,000. Moran was orig
inally signed to box for Richard at
$4,000. The latter voluntarily raised
Moran's share every time the Willard
price was boosted a notch, with the
result that Moran's share of the purs.
is just half Of what Willard receives.
This great initial cost and the large
Incidental expenses have brought the
total up to nearly 100000 or about
$4,000 round IL the fight goes the
full distance. Confronted with these
hgures. Richard realized that he would
have to charge high prices, yet the sale
or some 1000 tickets at figures rang
ing from s25 down to 50 did not prove
difficult Fully twice as many could
nave been sold, and spectators were
Today receiving double the face value
OF such tickets as they had obtained.
Among those who purchased their
boxes early and obtained choice posi-
lions are boxing enthusiasts prominent
IN professional. business. social and
theatrical life throughout the country.
Women OF social prominence also
VIII be among the box seat spectators.
Rush For Seats.
Many rushes~ have been made in eff
lorts 10 gain admission to the press
row around the ring. where newspap-
or writer's from all sections OF the
United States will report the progress
OF the bout The telegraph companies
nave Installed fifty wires for handling
me hle OF copy at the ringside and
several telegraph rooms at either end
or the great hall have been converted
MO emergency quarters for overflow.
veteran operators look for a "ile" OF
more than 100000 words.
Perfect physical condition and SUI
Weme confidence in their ability 10
win the popular verdict on points or
oy a knockout. we're the high lights
Today In the training camps of the
Two pugilists. Neither did any eerf-
Gus work and both reiterated tonight
'hey we're In absolutely the pink OF
condition and ready TO go ten rounds
ar TOD speed n necessary Willard an
bounced that no expected TO weight
9lst about ESQ pounds when he enter
"a he ring: and Moran estimated his
weight at about 200. willard VIII have
lnhe advantage on weight. height and
.each over Moran, but this does not
dlsmay the latter.
o." nlie Ereet number OF the leading
Wers or the pugilistic contests in
.l.ng good iudges Of the game from
.'.flcnce made anG outside the ring.
N.yo that Willard will defeat Moran.
pittsburgh man has a host % friends
are equally positive that ne VIII
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