Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-03-16
knockout aver willard.


For many weeks sporting men
the country have been dis
eussing this match, which was arrang-
ed at the end of January after long me-
gotiations. To some of the best judges
of pugilism it looks like one-slded
affair with Willard having a pro-
nouneed advantage in height, weight,
reach and the confidence that comes of
having won the championship, but
Moran. regardless Of this prevalent be-
lief. will enter the ring absolutely con
hdent not only OF winning but also Of
knocking the big western cowboy out
by dint Of terrific smuggling tactics.
Nearly the Same Age.
In point of age the two pugilists are
more evenly matched than any other
two fighters who ever battled for the
heavyweight title. Moran will reach
his twenty ninth birthday day after
tomorrow and Willard will attain the
same age. next December. so that the
difference in their ages is a matter OF
only about eight months.
The record of the previous fights for
the heavyweight title shows that the
winner has almost invariably been
younger than the loser. John l.. Sui
Ivan was "a and James ]. Corbett rs
when Corbett won the title from Sulli-
van. Jeffries, at the age of "a, wresteo
the championship laurels from Fitz-
simmons who was then nearing 40,
Jack Johnson had an advantage Of
three years in age when he won from
Jeffries, while Willard was nine years
the junior of Johnson when he knocked
out the big black in the Havana arena
Bob F.tzsimmons furnishes the only
notable exception to the rule that in
pugilis . as in almost everything else,
age must give way to youth. Fitzsim-
mons was four years older than Cor
bett when he won the latter's title at
Carson City. md at the age of 81
Fitzsimmons was able to last ii rounds
against Jeffries, but the Cornishman
was a physical marvel. differing great
~ from the modern heavyweight.
Science is another point in whic.i no
great difference is believed to exist be-
tween Willard and Moran. II any adj
vantage exists, it probably is on the
side of Moran, who showed in his fight
with johnson that he is a clever 3oxer
with remarkable skill at blocking
blows Of all kinds and in using stalling
AiGIlIss ilt IA AuEsNiGH pH WHiNh
the chances Of the Pittsburger seem to
hinge is whether or not he carries
punch sufficient to put away the pom
derous champion.
Before Willard won the title at Ha-
yana. the belief was expressed that he
lacked pluck and stamina. Some of the
critics declared that the big cowboy
possessed a yellow streak and would
quit under fire, but when he met John
son these critics discovered that they
had made serious mistake.
Even the ardent admirers OF Moran
are forced to admit that his ring re-
cord is not equal to that of Willard.
Moran might be termed an in and out
liter. He has made an excellent
showing against some of the best of
the heavies and lost decisions to fight
ers who We're rated considerably low
er than the top-notch.
Willard, on the other hand. has
shown consistent improvement ever
since he first entered the game. At
the time he was matched with Johnson
the wise ones were inclined to belittle
his chances, mainly because of the fact
that in his entire career Willard had
never faced fighter of championship
or even near championship calibre
But his record as far as it went was
good one. In rs fights he had lost bat
one decision, that To Gunhoat Smith in