The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-03-25
Men Are Rel arded as About
Equaliin Boxing
Ability.
BIIFER.0N OTHER POINTS
Purse That Was Hung Up Is
Big But Promoter
Will Profit.
IIpYE .lAlas.ociated Pressl

NEW YORK. March 25.-Wtth the
wagering close to three to one in his
fayor. Jess Willard, heayywelght-cham'
pions Of the world. will meet Frank Mo
Ian In ten round no-deciston bout
here tonight for the largest purse ever
cferedf for a contest Of this scheduled
duration. The two pugilists will re.
cave $71,250, posted by Tex Richard
the promoter Of the match. OF this
sum the title holder will draw down
$4,000 and his opponent $23,75o. Not
withstanding the size of the purse.
Rickard will clear handsome profit
ontheventure since every seat in Mad
isunf SQUARE Garden has been sold and
tie receipts are estimated at more
tl1an $4,000.
Although Willard is a top.heavy IA
y6rfte, interest in the outcome Oh the
bout Is intense and the greatestg atn,
aring sof fight fans that ever throngeo
fiftoS and about the Garden Is expected
az that historic show hall this evening
when the principals enter the ring.
Few large bets have been placed on
5fheScontest owing to the difference IN
! 4iie2 odds and acknowledged physical
ADVANTAGES possessed by Willard over
Moran Hundreds of small Wagers on
I fiiaSresult and on various angles OIL
fffhe fight have been made between
sffiends both in the city and among the
large delegation of spectators from
ether cities Of the East, South and
Midd1ewest. IN
Moran and his camp ic4aowers as
serf that the Pittsburgh heavyweight
Vii1SwinI from Willard in decisive fash;
ion on points II not by Knockout but
the great majority of the boxing en-
fhusiastsI cannot be convinced that the
Kansas cowboy will fall victim to
Moran s Srushes and blows. II Is point
ed out that the conqueror OF Jack
johnson is physically superior IN ev-
efy respect to his opponent and that
81 az bout Of but ten rounds It would
q q little short of ring miracle for MO
ran to stretch the champion on the
floor for the count. ~
III boxing ability thettwo pugtlists
are conceded to be about equal put
Beyond that point Willard has mark
ed advantage over Moran in almost
every department of glove flghtingEas
Wel1jas in physical makeup. He Will;
outweigh Moran by close to fifty
mounds. i5stand between five and Six
inches above the Pittsburgh slugger
andshave a longer reach, of more than
Sir Inches, than Moran. Both are, ex-
tfemelySpowerful hitters in proportion
Ri their size but here again Wizards
greater physique and strength give
him a wide margin over Moran. The
latter Is the more aggressive boxer
OF the two but the champions tower
ing height and ability to block with
his long arms initiate against the
chances of the smaller pugllist land
ing q Knockout blow to the head. The
task OF reaching Wizards body Is not
Is difficult but in all his bouts to date
&ffe Kansan has shown ability to take
very hard blows In his midsectton
without slowing up. From a defen-
siye standpoint Willard is considered
ia be one OF the best equipped boxer
o. his division in many years
He Is equally extensively when
afoused, but, as rule, lacks the ag-
gressiyeness necessary to win from
nopponent Of Moran's casibre In ten
rounds or less. His best blows are
aeshort left jab and right hand up.
refcut These blows he uses almost
continually and owing to his long
reach and great strength the punches
carry terrific power when Willard puts
fill force into them. Under pressure
NE can and does fight with other blows
and carries knockout in either hand
when mixing savagely. In his awk-
SWaTd and ponderous style Willard is
almost as fast on his feet as Moran
although he seldom uses footwork' to
avoid Ian opponent. At close quarters
lie should be able to hold Moran SAFE
Il. although the latter will be danger
Cd if5he can tear loose long enough
II Uncover his ability and power as
III infighter.
Bothfpugilsts virtually completed
ffIeir training on Thursday and each
6i4ffnsS TO be in perfect condition for
khe battle. Moran has been on edge
Tor the bout for close to two weeks
md his trainers have had more diff
Guilty In holding him to physical form
Chan Wiliards handles. The cham.
f,ton was slow to round into condition
since he had been out of the ring for
aIrnost Ia year while Moran. because
81 hisSrecent bouts. responded quickly
ID the conditioning routine Willard,
however once he settled down TO haro
work dropped weight and increased
III speed rapidly and while 1t is doubt
ftil if he Is In the same magnificent
ahape that he was when he met. John
son IL Havana, he should be able to
Roy the full ten rounds at top speed
Il necessary.
Whatever the outcome of the battle
the two Heavyweight will be well re-
paid for their training and struggle in
fhe ring: IL the contest goes the full
distance the principals will receive
$g t25Sper round or at the rate OF 81
SaB persminute. OF this sum Wizards
ss,aFe win be $1,5s3.3S and Moran's
SOL .Bejper4 minute. The purse Of $71,
$50 issthe largest ever offered for q
ring battle Of any distance with the
exception OF the $121,000 given to
Johnson and Jelfries by Richard in
tiaeir agkti at Reno, New. in 1910 The
pufae Is large than the gate receipts
talIen III ut any fight ever held in New
crk state under the Horton Law or
10 ps!e sent wiley regulations. But
"a agttE, tho JohnsonSJ effries and