Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-02-29
]. WILLARD ADDS
.JOHNSON'S STUNTS
TO REPERTOIRE
Heavy King Has Improved
and Looks Like Real
Champion
CONFIDENT OF ABILITY

NEW YORK. Feb. 29.-Jess willard
looks-and acts--lllSe a real champion
In his workouts here for his 10-round
quarrel with Frank Moran on March %.
THE champ stole some of Jack John
sons stun, that's what he did" ven
tured a bystander at Willards workout
here today. And that's the opinion among
the experts" who have seen him in ac-
tion.
The Willard of today exhibits clever
ness far beyond that which he possessed
when he snatched the heavyweight crown
from the black man in Havana, nearly
IL months ago. He Is much faster than
he was in Cuba, despite the fact that he
is bit bulky amidshlps and slightly soft
in the arms and shoulders He has be-
come quite shifty, too, and uses blocking.
ducking and felnting methods that John
son seemed to have copyrighted.
Did you train in secret and learn n
few of Johnsons tricks?" Willard was
asked.
Never Quit Training
The heavyweight king grinned and said /:
"Well, I'll answer that by saying that
never have quit training since the day
1 beat Johnson. But It hasn't been siren
uous training-just enough to keep me
in shape. l do not suppose the public
knew / was doing some work every day,
and that's why so many wild stories got
around about my weighing anywhere from
400 pounds to half a ton.
Fighting is my profession. aimed TO
become the best in my line and so, nat
urally, l have tried to develop speed and
cleverness How we'll I have succeeded Is
something for the spectators to decide"
Probably the most striking change in
Willard is that he has acquired confidence
in himself. Before he became champion
he always was mantled with an air of
a man not sure of himself, who fears that
the worst is going to happen and looks
for II to happen.
But Willard now is a confident youth
though not conceited. He feels within
himself that he is the best man in the
fighting game today, but he doesn't insist
upon one feeling the same way about it.
Develops Good Left
Willard has acquired a left stab since
the Johnson fight. In other years of his
career he used his left almost wholly for
jabbing purposes, reserving the right for
the cleanup" wallop. That's what he
did in the johnson fracas. But now will
lard has left-handed punch that seems
TO have the same crushing force that is
behind his right.
II hold Moran in high regard" said
Willard. "I think he's the one man in
the ring who is entitled to a chance at
the title-and that's why he's getting it.
/ realize that Moran has q powerful
right-hander, but l am developing a de-
fense which l feel will turn back those
attacks"
Wizards training schedule calls for
three to six mile jaunt in the morning
through and around parts of Central
Park. This exhibition is free to all those
who happen to be in the neighborhood
where the heavyweight Is running or
walking.
But it costs two bits" to see the cham
pion stage his afternoon sketch at the
Pioneer A. c. Some folks figured that
It wasn't quite chubby to pay so much
money to see fighter in training, but
Tom Jones retorts by saying that such
an exhibition would be cheap at dollar
a head.
Eight-Act Stunt
why, look what Jess does for 25
cents" said Tom as he chanted the bill:
Act one-Three minutes at the puleys.
Act two-Three minutes shadow boxing.
Act three-Two three-minute rounds with
Jack Hemple. Act four-Two three-min-
ute rounds with Walter Monaghan. Act
five-One three-minute wrestling match
with Yussuf Hussane. Act six-Jess lays
on the floor and does exercises designed
to strengthen his stomach (three minutes).
Act seven-Sparrlng partners throw H.
pound medicine ball at Willard's stomach
(three minutes), Act eight-Willard ex-
ecutes some thrilling back exercises
(three minutes).
Eight great acts for two bits-ain't
1t a good bargain?" asked Jones.