South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-25
ALL IS PREPARED
FOR RING BATTLE
IN GOTHAM TOWN
Both Willard and Moran Anxi-
GUS FOR Sound of Cong
Great Crowd Will
Witness Fight.
Aesocisted press Service

NEW hOEtk, MATCn - - sur
rounded s. the most representative
assembIsRe that ever witnessed a
pugiHstic encounter in this country.
Jess willard and Frank Moran will
meet here Saturday night in a 10
round encounter OF extraordinary
possibility. While the heavy weight
championship Of the world, now held
By Willard, is virtually at stake, this
feature OF the contest is forced into
the background to some extent by
the large amount OF money involved
in the purse and gate receipts and
types OF spectators who viii attend.
According 10 the predictions Of
the Moran contingent there is more
than an even chance that the heavy
weight title viii change hands be-
fore the 10th round is completed,
but the promoters Of the bout have
not billed 81 as a battle for the cham
pionship and willard simply smiles
when the possibility of his losing the
title is mentioned within his hearing.
Under the New York state boxing
law. no decision can be rendered by
Referee Charley White. and the only
way that Moran could win the title
would be by knocking out his oppo-
nent: winning on a foul committed
by willard or 20 have the contest
stopped by the referee because the
champion was unable 10 continue for
any reason. In many quarters the
probability OF any one OF these con-
tingencies arising is considered 10 be
remote, but among the admirers Of
Moran IL IS accepted as a foregone
conclusion that the Pittsburgh heavy
weight will put the conqueror of
Jack Johnson down for the full
count
Much Money Involved.
The betting on the various angles
OF the bout sinks into insignificance
when compared with the many other
financial features Of the contest.
With gate receipts Of close 10 $780,
600 assured and a purse OF S71.250.
in addition TO 10000 Of moving pic
ture money 10 be divided between
the pugilsts and promoters, wagers
OF SIS and $40 look like copper cents
scattered in treasury reserve vault.
So far as willard is concerned the
been financial project in which the
risking of his title was only a mere
incident 10 be dismissed without seri-
Gus consideration.
Tex Richard, the promoter of the
bout was forced TO raise his bid sew
eral times before he secured Will
ards signature at $43.5OO Moran
was originally signed to box for
Richard at $4,000. The latter volun-
tarily raised Moran's share every
time the Willard price was boosted
a notch. with the result that Moran's
share OF the purse is just half Of
what Willard receives. Moran has
repeatedly stated that he expected
70 make his big money after he had
won from Willard. while the latter
with everything 10 lose and nothing
20 gain in the ring. took care that he
was paid handsomely for any risks
that ne took in meeting Moran.
This great initial cost and the
large Incidental expense have
brought the total up 10 nearly $780,
600. or about $40. coo a round if the
eight goes the fun distance Con-
fr0nted with these figures. Richard
realized that he would have to
charge high prices. vet the sale Of
some OF the goo tickets at figures
prove difficult.
what willard SAYS.
willard 81 have not figured out
any particular line Of battle. for
have never seen Moran i'm action and
cannot tell just what he will DO. 1t
may take me several rounds 20 size
him up. but. once I know what ne
has got. 7 shall be in a position to
go ahead and box for his weakest
points. I have not the slightest idea
whether IL viii be a fast or slow
bout Much depends upon what
Moran does If he meets me half
way the bout ought 10 satisfy every
spectator in the garden for it viii
be fast and full Of action from start
20 finish. II ne VIII stand mp and
box blow for blow ] will win de-
cisively.
Il am perfectly satisfied with my
condition and can go the full 10
rounds at top speed. il necessary. ]
am just as ST as I was i'm Havana
and feel more like boxing as the
heavy damp air i'm Cuba took some
or the snap out OF me there. There
has been talk about the size OF the
rims. but I have never inquired about
g. I am told that 10 will measure
about rs feet inside the ropes. which
Is plenty big enough for me. ! am
not going 10 do any backward run
ming and can box just as well in a
small OF large ring.
What Moran says.
Moran. Il have no misgivinEs as
10 the outcome Of my bout with
Willard I am positive that I viii
win decisively and carry the world:
heavy weight title out Of the s!ng
with me AT no previous stage Of
my life have I been in such hnt
physical condition. nor have I evel
felt more confident OF defeating ar
opponent. willard Is a bigger mar
than I arm physically. but In no Other
way has he any advantage. When