The Washington times., 1916-01-22

NEW YORK, Jan. s22. 2.-Unless there is
a decided change in the tactics of Frank
Moran i'm his quest for a battle with
Jess Willard, indications point to Jim
Coffey beins substitute for the smoky
City pugiliSt. who refuses 10 sign ar
tiClc for Jack Curley to stage the bout.
Curley stated today, and he expressed
himself freely on the point, that he
would not stand for Moran to dictate
when the big night should be held lie
intimated that Moran must either do as
he wants him to do, or forever lose
the chance TO fight Willard for the title.
This strengthens the belief in this city
among the various promoters that Cur
ley has Coffey in view in case Moran
doesn't come around to Curley's way
of thinking. Coffcy. despite his two
defeats by Moran, is stjlI popular rstc
idol. with perhaps the biggest following
of any hcaVyw eight in years.
Tex Rickard won't make any fur
ther efforts for while toward getting
the fight. He believes Curley will dis
cover shortly that he has made big
mistake in giving Willard a 45 per cent.
privilege in addition to a fiat guarantee
OF sS25OO.
Il want it understood" said Promoter
Jack Curley today, that those men
who are now making bids for a VIII
lard Moran bout are wasting their time.
There's not a chance in the world OF
anybody else securing Jess services for
his next fight. ! have the signed ar
ticles in my pocket. and il Mr.. Moran
doesn't care to accept my terms then
somebody else will be given the match.
'Willard wants to fight before he re-
turns to the circus in April. There are
three heavyweights who have already
offered to meet willard on fair guar
antee basis. Why shouldn't they? |
think any boxer should be tiCkled to
get a chance to meet the champion.
Think of the fortune II means IL he
defeats him. Then willard would be
nowhere and the challenger would be
up there getting the easy money.
Some people can't see how |. who
have an interest IN the management of
Willard. can also promote the fight.
Didn't | promote the bout AT Havana.
and didn't Harry Pollock, manager of
Welsh, promote the Welsh-ltitchie bout
in London?
81 am atil receiving lots "f bids for
the Willard Moran fight. philadelnhia
offered $4,000 for six rounds, but even
If ] didn't have u contract with MIN
lhere'd NOT he a ChaECe OF Willard ac-
cCptinG match over such short dis
tanCe. In concluding | want to impress
it or fighters, prTmCters and the p4l
lie that ! hove Wizards signature for
his newt fight. and he will fight for
me here in April. and II Moran insists
on debating terms some Ctfer nShter
will get the match. l haven't seen
Moran, but he'll have to come TO me
ond accept reasonable terms II he
wants to get the first crack at the title.
NEW YORK, Jan. 22-Jimmy Johnson
manager Of Madison Square Garden. is
out with an offer that he believes will
knock the wind out of the sails OF all
his rivals. The fighters being willing
johnson is 'eady to offer $j5, 900 to have
Willard and Moran meet in Madison
Square Garden either in March or April
Willards share of this purse will be
s95. COO while Moran will get $4,000 for
his end.
the respective managers of Willard and
Moran" said johnson. II think the
! sum Of $55OO which I am Offering for
| the l0-round decisionless bout Is better
than they can do anywhere else. 1t tops
/ anything announced so far by about
! lard and Moran have announced thai
| they will light FOR the best offer they
| can get I would like to stage the bout
in the ring at Madison Square Garder
the latter part of March, but If Ton
Jones still maintains that Willard can
not fight before April, l will yield or
| that point as well.
! TEX" Rickard and sam" McCracken
| who are also after the bout, are said t.
be ready to give $4,000. Willard to &c
So, 500 and Moran $1,000. AS originally
| Rickard and McCra Cken offered Willard
| $4,000 and Moran $1,000. II will he in
tCrcstinG to note what reply, II any
| they have to make TO this latest movt
on the part OF Johnson.
| Jack" Skelly. formerly worlds fea
| Itherwcight champion, also entered thu
list Of bidders for the Willard-Morai