Omaha daily bee., 1916-04-30
WILLARD A LUCKY FIGHTER
Heavyweight Champ Wears Crown
at Time When Opposition is
Weak and Purses Big.
SULLIVAN ALSO HAD IT EASY

recognition. The giant KAnsan Is fortu-
nate 10 reign at time when opposition
is but slight and purses bigger than evsr
before in the history OF the ring. None
Of tho other champions had such an
easy time OF 1t as - Hard has at pres
ent. except John L. Sullivan.
Easy marks were plentiful in SulltvAn'n
day. Most Of the men he fought were
uneducated dubs. but there were a few
tough ones on the list and purses were
very small. However. Charley Mitchell.
the man who caused the most trouble
for the Boston terror. was little bigger
than a welterweight. Corbett found him
self in hot water from the start. He
was continually bounded by Bob F1tz-
simmons. who allowed him no peace until
Gentleman Jim was forced into the
match that cost him the title. His match
with Mitchell, who was then on his last
legs. was the only easy money Corbett
picked up during the time he held the
honors.
Both Fitzsimmons and Jeffries reigned
when good heavyweights were plentiful
Fitz, although tho greatest fighting ma
chine Of all time, was the most unfortu-
nate Of the lot, for he lost the cham
plonship the first time he sought TO de-
fend II.
Jeffries Bnttied Tough Ones.
Jeffries was up against the same array
Of talent and had few easy fights. al
though when Jeffries was at his best
most Of his rivals had begun TO go back.
II is doubtful whether Jeffries would
have been able to defeat Fitzsimmons in
their second fight II old age had not
caused the cornishman's brittle hands to
give way under the strain. In Eftzsim-
mons, corbett, Sharkey and Rubin, Jeff
ries faced quartet OF stars, all Of whom
made him work hard. His second bout
with corbett and the affair with Jack
Monroe were the only easy bouts he
had.
Johnson had an easy time Of II and
participated In the largest purse ever
offered. but johnson never had a chance
10 earn H7.G00 for no-decision bout.
Practically all OF Johnson's fights were
over distance and with decision at
stake. with the exception Of the affair
at Reno johnson was forced to limit HIS
demands TO $4,000, and at that he did
not always receive the full amount that
his contract called for.
From the present outlook Willard will
be able TO reap fortune without ever
risking the title In battle 20 a decision.
Whenever he cares 10 enter the ring he
can be sure OF at least 10000. and there
is not man In sight who has reason
able chance 10 defeat him.
When Willard disposed Of Moran no
got rid OF the only one OF the contenders
in whom the public had much hope.
Moran was outclassed, and none Of the
others seem to be moro formidable.
Even now Moran heads the list. being
followed by Dillon, Coffee. Weinert. Full
ton and Reich.
Dillon Looks Good,
or that lot Dillon looks to be the best
fighting machine but the so-called
Giant Killer Is altogether too small TO
be taken seriously. and Willard can pass
him up with that excuse without losing
the least prestige. As matter OF fact.
Dillon might not be such mark as Is
generally supposed. but as long as ring
followers are convinced that little man
has no chance, the matter will not be
put TO the test.
Weinert is the youngest Of them all.
and for that reason might be expected TO
develop into real fighter in time. The
Jerseyman also is the best boxer, and
has the necessary height and reach. But
weinert can't hit and there Is not a
chance that he ever will develop a wal
lop, for careless living is running his
constitution. Judging by his recent per-
formance against Packy Flynn the Jer-
sey youth already has struck the slide.
and II is not at all probable that he will
climb higher than he is at present
Moran still maintains that he should
have another chance, and II he should
be able to defeat Dillon when they come
together this summer. there is no doubt
that some promoter will offer a purse
| for a return match with Willard. But
Moran will never improve over his pres.
ent form and II is quite evident that he
Is nothing more than fair second.
rater. The Pittsburgher can't box a lick
and his wonderful wallop is mostly i'm
aglnation.
j AOthcyfN F"9bnHN JA1 Nh6hAAI@VF
So far as appearances 20 coffey should
be the most likely candidate. The big
Irishman has youth in his favor. Is a
good boxer. and in that respect he may
continue TO improve for some time yet
He Is also developing physically and In
another year should be great deal
stronger and a harder hitter But cof-
fey's glass Jaw eliminates him. A.
time goes on II Is probable that his Abil-
llty 20 Withstand punishment win grow
less instead Of greater. Al any rate ring
records show that no fighter ever haa
recovered from that ailment.
Al Reich Is altogether hopeless, and u
Il we're not for HIS remarkable physique
he would attract no attention whatever.
Reich il an impressive sight whom
stripped FOR action and looks tho part 80
we'll that Il q hard 10 believe that he u
a false alarm, Hut Tor all hts fins looks
! Reich lacks endurance and determine
ton and tho moment the gloves are tied
81 his hands hts mlna hecamss blank
For few seconds Reich can fistt lisa
a champion but after that Ne slows pn
10 waik and practically quits Just
whst alls Rim has been great pusiis
% local rms followers Faulty ciFcula
slnn q me blood may ~ the answer
When nsieh i IN aetlan tha hlaed runs
20 Ms head the veins N als usek -
eamius ssalisn ard Ma fses almost par
ria THAT seems N aae0unt Ter hia lafk
~ snAayanoa ana hla Inability q thlnA
clearly
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