Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-25

leave his quarters again until he
started for the garden tomorrow night.
Jess Willard
The statement Of the principals, pro-
motors and referee are as follows:
Willard-'I have not figured out any
particular line of battle for l have
never seen Moran in action and can
not tell what he will do. 1t may take
me several rounds to size him up, but
once l know what he has got l shall
be in position 10 go ahead and box
Tor his weak points. / have not the
slightest idea whether it will be a
fast or slow bout. Much depends up
on what Moran does. If he meets me
half way the bout ought to satisfy
every spectator in the garden for it
will be fast and full OF action from
start to finish. If he will stand up and
box blow for blow, I will win decisive
ly.
Il am perfectly satisfied with my
condition and can go the full 10 rounds
at top speed if necessary. | am Just
as fine IS l was in Havana and feel
more like boxi13g. as the heavy damp
OF mo there. There has been talk
about the size of the ring, but | have
not inquired about it. l am told that
1t will measure about IS feet inside the
ropes, which is plenty big enough for
me. l am not going to Go any back
ward running and can box just as we'll
in small or large ring. All las, sum
mer l boxed three rounds twice Il day
In a l2-foot ring, the tour lasting 1856
days without break. can step across
an 1S-foOt ring in two strides so / guess
that l can catch Moran in case he
starts backing away"
Frank Moran
II am positive that l will win decisive
ly and carry the worlds heavyweight
title out of the ring with me- At no pre-
vious stage of my life have / been in such
physical condition, nor have ! ever felt
more confident of defeating an opponent
Willard is bigger than l am physically,
but In no other has he any advantage.
When l met Johnson in Paris in 1914 the
champion was in much better shape than
when Willard took the title from him las,
year in Cuba. Willard has not fought any
battle since he won the championship.
but / have. l have knocked out Bonn
barber Wells in London in 10 rounds las.
March and l won by the same route from
George Sims in six rounds in the Eng
fish metropolis. My knockout of jim,
Coffey here last October in the third
round surely proves that 1 was moving
right along. My last bout with Coffey,
nearly three months ago. went nine
rounds before l got him again. My hands
were not in good shape on that occasion,
but they are all right now. I claim
that l am better in every way, except
size, than Willard. and the public will be
satisfied of that fact when the bout is
over. l have not planned how / am
going to fight Willard. 1t all depends on
how he acts in the ring. never saw
Willard in action except in moving pic
lures, and I don't know how fast his
mind works, but 1 do know that l can
think fast and act swiftly. l can either
force the pace or w9it I am positive
that I can see an opening and take adj
vantage of it as quickly as any man in
the heavyweight class today 1 feel that
i POSSESS all the quantities tnat are neCeS-
sary to win championship. Wait and
see."
Charley White
Charley White, referee: II do not ex-
pect any trouble in refereeing the bout.
because I am sure that both Willard and
Moran know the rules thoroughly and
are going to put up a clean, hard bout
in accordance with commonsense rules
Of the game. They are both fair. sports
menlike fighters and will practically rer-
cree the bout themselves
Tex Richard
Tex Richard, promoter: I've done my
part and it's up to the big fellows now.
Personally 1 believe that both Willard
and Moran will box at top speed and
give the spectators a great run for their
money 1t has been a big undertaking
and 1 want the climax to be in keeping