The Washington times., 1916-03-25
Both Fighters lit,
Bout TO Break Record
For 1O-ROur1d Affairs
Wizards Share SIS, 100 and Morans $685. 75O-Chal-
lenger's Baclers Preu.ct Unexpected Will Hap
pen at Bout-Experts Do Not Believe Cham
pion Will Be Knocked Out.

NEW YORK, March 25.-The. stage Is
set, the fighters trained to the minute
and the last word in preparation said
for the richest limited round fight In
history, when Heavyweight Champion
Jess Willard and Frank Moran VIII
meet in Madison Square Garden tonight
The heavyweight championship may
change hands on the result OF the pat
tie. which has the entire country walt
ing with expectancy. But Moran can
come into the title only by knocking
the champion out.
willard will enter the ring the raw
critic. Experts can not believe that TINS
superman, n product OF the western
mains. can be knocked insensible by
the challenger. considering his adNaht-
age in height. weight. and reach, thousn
Moran's hitting powers and boxing aoll-
Ity is conceded. Morans hackers pre-
dict the unexpected will happen -
Not only will the fight break All
records for ten-round affairs from the
financial standpoint, but the greatest
crowd in the history of the hSht
Rame in New York will witness the
battle.
Between 1900 and $4,000 men and
women from every walk OF life will
be at the rlngside. From the fight
fan who took his chance in line for
n 81 or SIS seat to boxes below where
governors, former Cabinet ministers,
noted doctors. lawyers. actors, act
resses, mayor, and other celebrities
will be found. the mammoth Garden
will be packed TO the roof. More than
1000 women are expected to wit
ness the fight.
At almost the last moment, the vast
sum which Willard and Moran will
receive for their thirty-minutes work
in the ring has again been boosted.
Willard to Get $55, 100.
willard will receive $55.1OO instead
Of $47.500, as first announced. Moran
will receive $26.750 instead OF s23.750.
Ths late increase IL due to the sale
OF the moving picture rights for the
light. in which both fighters share.
The pictures were sold for $4,000.
Willard receiving 81 per cent and
Moran 80 per cent. '...
The total receipts Of the fGht are cx-
pected to reach $4,000. and possibly
$4,000.
Both Are Confident.
II confidence alone could win i1cht.
then both Willard and Moran would be
certain of victory tonight. In state
ments both declared their only thought
was of victory.
Both expected to win nv knockout
Willard has said he will finish the fight
tain OF putting over flnishcr before
the tenth round Is reached. Moran says
he expects to put Willard. out within
seven or eight rounds.
mitigating Expected.
With Charley White, noted as a
referee of big bouts, ms the third man In
the ring, the men will he handled by a
veteran. Each must take care of him
self In clinches. Considerable in-fght-
ing Is therefore expected. but the men
must break at the referees order.
The champion and challenger took
things easy today. The only concern
OF their trainers was to keep the minds
OF their charges off the coming battle
Moran was out for a brisk walk early
this morning. good rundown and then
rest. with onl" enough light exercise ia
keen his muscles flexible was the pro-
gram for the rest OF the day.
Willard followed the same schedule
except for a final conference with his
manager. Tom Jones, on, the plan OF
battle.
Expert opinion on the hig fight Is be-
Ing fairly well divided There has been
very little betting, Tho former cham
pons who will witness the fight pick
Willard.
John l.. sullivan, Jim Corbett and Bob
Fitzsimnons believe the big man VIII
win.
But Gunhoat Smith. who has fought
both men, FREDDY Welsh and others as
nj merous as those who nick willard
declare they expect the blond pittsburgh
lighter to knock out the champion.