The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-25
CLAIM IS, 600
WILL SEE BIC
FIGHT TONIGHT

New York, March 25-Thirteen
| thousand spectators will crowd Madi-
son Square Garden tonight to see
Frank Moran of Pittsburgh, try to
wrest the worlds heavyweight cham
pionship from Jess Willard of Kansas.
Although the bout is not announced
as for the title and, no decision by
the referee is possible under the box
ing laws, Moran might win the cham
pionship either by aAlknockout, a. foul
by Willard or WIZARDS failure to go
the full length of the bout.
Moran today appeared as confident
as ever that he will be able to land
the blow that will give him the title
Fby a, Knockout. He predicted that he
would get over the finishing punch
in the seventh or eigth round. VIII
lard is equally certain of c1inching his
grip on the championship He de-
clared that if Moran fights the ag-
gressive battle which the Pittsburgh
man is said to have planned the cham
pion would end the bout with a
knockout No matter what Moran's
tactics, Willard expressed confidence
of victory.
The big bout is to start at $3.50
O'Clock if the program is carried out.
Several preliminary bouts will pre-
cede it. Every seat in the building
has been sold and would-be specta-
tors, many of them from distant cities,
arriving late are clamoring in vain for
tickets Managers gave warning to-
day that counterfeit tickets supposed
to be redeemabIe at the Garden for
admission tickets have been sold in
Boston, Pennsylvania and Connecticut
cities They said no such tickets had |
been issued by the management and |
that they would not be honored.
X Their training completed and both |
men asserting they are fit and ready,
the principals spent a quiet day in
for the bout. Willard
planned to walk through Central park
in the morning and an automobile
ride in the afternoon. He is Keyed
up for the fight but shows no s1gns<o1
rest1essness or of impatience to have
t1 nishedi After a light dinner early
this evening. the champion intends
to go down to the Garden about
o'clock He expects to weigh in at
about $50 pounds. Moran planned a
walk early today and a good sleep this
afternoon. With his handlers he will
eve the roadhouse in Westminster at
7!3O tonight and go to the Garden by
Willard said: cit is hard for me
to say how will win. That will
be the victor is the most positive
statement I can make. Whether it
will be by a knockout or by popular
decision remains in doubt. If I can
win iby one punch will. If this
bout were sch eduled to go to a finish,
would not hesitate to say that Moran
would be knocked out. AS it is only
Tor ten rounds it, would he ridiculous
@ make such a. declaration.
ST am going to win as quickly and
1ecisively as can. feel as we'll
IS have ever felt before any fight
n my career if not better. I am not
worrying. If Moran starts to rush
he battle will knock him OUT
Moran said: do not be surprised
10 see the finish of this fight come in
he seventh or eighth round. Then
rou will see Willard drop. Beforel
he Havana fight. Willard was nothing
% be afraid of and I don't think he
$ now. There never was a big fell
ow like him who did not have a
weak spot somewhere
There has been little betting on the
esuIt and most of it has been upon
he ability of one or the other to
and a. knockout blow. AS a spec
acle the throng that gathers at the
tonight promises to be one
O be remembered. Among the box
folders are men well known in the
and social worlds, familiar
igures Of the stage or profession
ife. A notable feature will be the
presence of from 1000 to 1000 wo-
nen.
SPRING PIONEERING