The Washington herald., 1917-02-10
DARCY thinks He CAN
STOP JESS Willard
Les Says Good Little Men Are Better
Than Giants.

New York. Feb. 9.-Lester Darcy may
never be matched with Jess Willard, for
a match between the two would look like
mismatch from every angle. But Les
isn't over-awed by the big fellow He
actually believes he would have a good
chance to beat him.
Far be it from me to belittle the
prowess of Jess Willard" SAYS Darcy,
but if you want my opinion can frank
~ say that don't believe Willard Is in
vincible by any means.
From what I know OF ring history
] have formed the opinion that the good
little men are better as a rule than the
giants of the ring. 1 think a good mid
die or light heavyweight would have a
wonderful chance to beat Willard. and
beat him decisively. I would welcome
the chance myself.
Speed. agility, cool head and a fair
ly good wallop, combined with a knowl-
edge of footwork are superior to beef
and heft- Many may disagree with my
view. but glimpse into the past will
show that most of the pugilistic cham
pions of other days were far from being
mountains Of flesh
THE tremendous height OF Willard,
who measures six feet seven inches,
would prove an advantage to him in a
bout with me, for 1 top just exactly
five feet seven inches. This height of
Wizards would force me to hammer
away at his mid-section until I could
bring him down to somewhere near my
size-get his chin within range of the
winning wallop. The old adage OF the
woodsman-the taller the tree the easier
the job OF cutting It down-seems to fit
Willard nicely in my opinion.
Il believe that Willard would soon wilt
under continual punches to his mid-sec-
ton. A continual rain of blows to the
gfO a0I, 0ha 4 hHrN1 70 a
jack knife, for they tell me he Is a lover
of rich foods and that he does not take
sufficient exercise to keep in the best Of
shape. Another thing-Willard is 80 years
Of age, and no man Of 30 is inclined to
put the vigor into his training that
younger man will put into his. These
things have caused more than one cham
pion to surrender his title.
st know that many fight followers viii
laugh at my idea of what might be done
to willard by a small man like myself.
They will say he would simply hold me
of with those long arms Of his and jab
me around until was groggy, then knock
me cold. But renpember what have said
about agility, Well, that's where I would
Offset the advantage Willard has over me
In reach.
I'm the first place think a fighter who
needs the advantage in reach to get TO
an opponent with his mitts Is woefully
lacking in fighting material. My reacn
measures seventy-four inches, and think
It plenty long enough to get inside Will
lard's guard, and you know 1 would have
10 do this to win. Champions OF the past
have often boasted of their advantage In
reach, only to be beaten to the punches
when the gong rang. don't mean TO
convey the opinion that 1 am Fast as
lightning, but know I am faster than
willard can possibly be.
IT think that Willard would get dis
couraged trying to land solid wallop
on NV chin, and then he would become
RECKLESS and perhaps a bit wild. That
would give me the opportunity to win.
II / should meet him my plan would be
to tire him out with fast footwork and
then II could succeed in that, l would
tear into close quarters.
Getting inside the guard is the thing
l bad no trouble getting by the guard
of Jimmy Clabby after few rounds,
and II I can get by his guard l certainly
ought to slip past Willard, for Clabby
Is one Of the cleverest boxers in the
game.
ct think that in a long fight Will
lard's bulk would prove a disadvantage
in time, and 1 think I am fast enough
to avoid being knocked out"
A home for aged ball players is be-
ing planned by Ban johnson, the czar
Of the American League. Ban says that
such an institution could be easily sup
ported and he believes that IL will be-
come a reality before so very long. Other
organizations provide homes for aged
members who need care. Why not base
ball?