Omaha daily bee., 1916-06-18
WILLARD WILL, NOT RETIRE
Champion Doesn't Fight Much Now
Because He Objects to Slipping
Curley His Bit.
IS TO START A BIG CAMPAIGN
BY RINGSIDE.

has no intention of retiring from the
ring next year--or the year after, for
that matter The Pottawatamie giant
is merely biding his time. He is now
content with an occasional fight, once
a year on an average. Shortly after
1918 sets in, however, Willard will in
augurate a fighting campaign never
before attempted by a heavyweight
champion.
A question of personal animus is
keeping Big Jess from fighting more
often True, he is in class by him
self, and his challengers are mega
tive quantity; but were he so inclined
the champion could pick up $25,000 or
$4,000 every month or so by taking
on the leading contenders for his
crown.
The real reason for Williard's re-
luctance to fight more than once a
year just at present is due to the
fact that he cannot figure why he
should pay out such an enormous per-
centage Of his earnings. Right now
Willard has two men cutting in on
his income-Tom Jones, his legiti-
mate manager, and Jack Curley, who
superintendent Wizards match with
Jack Johnson.
Willard likes Tom Jones and does
not begrudge the Kewanee man his
"bit." But Jess sees no logical rea-
son why Curley should receive one
tenth Of his profits from the ring,
and to prevent Jack Curley from
profiting from his labors, Willard is
quite satisfied to let slip away from
him paltry few thousands.
Dislikes Circus Work.
Circus work is not in Wizards line,
reputed interviews with the champion
on this subject notwithstanding. How
ever, he prefers it to appearing in the
ring as long as Jack Curley, under a
contractural agreement, is entitled to
10 per cent OF his ring earnings. Just
as soon as Curley's contract expires,
do not be surprised to see Willard
fight on an average Of once every six
weeks or two months.
Rather than remain passive and
add to bis tonnage, Willard finds
circus work agreeable, as. it tends
to keep him in good condition with
out the severity of the training grind.
Jess does not detest training as much
as we have been led to believe. He
finds it entertaining so long as he does
not have to make an extremely low
weight for him--something like 24s
or ESQ pounds.
By the time Willard is ready to
take on his challengers as fast as
they come, there will be quite for
nlidable crop to confront him. AT
present the plea Of all hcavyweights
is/that they require more seasoning
\before they can hope to cope with
Nhe monolith Jess. With two years,
the crop should be developed suffi-
ciently to rive Willard heap OF
trouble.
In two years Fred Fulton will be
almost a seasoned fighter. He has a
couple Of physical advantages right
now, and with increased weight
should become serious contender, il
ne can meantime overcome tend
ency to wilt from hard punch to the
jaw.
Moran Reaches Edge.
Frank Moran must necessarily be
eliminated as Championship posi-
bility in two years, Moran is the
real heavyweight veteran, now that
Fireman Jim Flynn has passed along.
Two years will not increase his e.
fectiveness. He has reached the
stage in athletic life where he is
more likely to slip back than go for
ward.
In two years Jack Dillon may be
the real hope" to defeat Willard
Even now the indianapolis catamount
is considered in some quarters as an
even chance against the champion,
who outweighs him 100 pounds, and
towers over him by a foot. A little
more weight may give Dillon just
the hitting power required to bring
Willard down to his size.
Charley Weinert. who has trans
fered managerial affiliations no less
than three times in the last three
months, also gives every indication OF
being near the top Of the heap inside
of two years. Weinert is not eager
70 mingle with Willard right now
knowing his own capabilities. But
give him two years time to expand
his knowledg of the game and Vein
ert will be as dangerous an opponent
for Big Jess as any man in the coun-
try.
Jim Coffey can never hope to face
Willard in the ring. His two knock.
outs at the hands Of Frank Moran
just about established the status OF
the Irish champion.
Unless some unknown sensation
springs up in the interim Fred Full.
) ton, Jack Dillon and Young Charley
Weinert will be the men Fostering
Jess Willard for titular match along
about 1918.