The Washington herald., 1917-09-03
JOHNSON WANTED TO
FAKE Willard Fight
Colored Champion Wanted $780,.
600 to Quit, But Jess Was
SQUARE.


The following purpor;s 10 be inside
Information proving that the Willard
Johnson fiEht in Havana. by which
Willard won the title, was faxed. II
was written by w. 5. FarnswOrth. in
the New York American:
Hundreds OF prominent fight fans 70
this day believe that the Jess Willard
Jack johnson championship fight in
Havana was a fake. During a recent
Western tour with the Yankees the
writer learned the real inside OF the
eight from a person who was very
closely connected with the affair.
1t was not a fake. although the
morning of the fight Johnson sent Tor
one OF the promoters and voluntarily
offered to lay down to the white man
for SeCo.ClO.
johnson was not knocked out. He
went down I'm the tweuty-siN round
completely exhausted. He took the
fall as though the final punch had
really rendered him unconscious.
During the minutes rest between
the twenty-ffth and twenty-si&th
rounds. Jack Curley, one Of the pro
moters, answering a hurry call from
johnson, rushed to the negro corner
I'm all in Jack" johnson told Cur
ley. Il don't believe 1 can last out
another round: LIN completely eA-
hausted. II l have to quit. Is II worth
ANYTHING to nc TO make the tinish look
like a real knockout? II surely ought
TO be worth $4,000 extra
CurIey. being a smart show man.
begged johnson that, II he had 10 quiN'
he should make the finish as spec'ac-
uIar as possible. And so Johnson
nromised that, while he'd fight as long
as bis strength would endure. Nheh
tho time came he would go down as
though he were knocked cold.
And that is the real story OF the
apht itself johnson was willing 10
bsnd over his title for a considera-
t;on hut there was nothing DONG
less willard won the title lalrlg
and souarcIy. He did not knock out
Johnson hut won the sheavy-weight
crown because Of his ruggeoness
and endurance. 49,.
The night was held on a Monday
The dav before the contest Johnson
49, into the city OF Havana and
demanded that he be given ms en-.
81. end Of the purse, SSO,OOO, at
-, previous to this he had been
ei,,en SI1. 900 for expenses. He met
7acLr Curley and asked for his share.
81 want my money now SAID
johnson. C,,-,o,..,
rarIv "but l will bring il out to
your camp tomorrow morning.
"Au right, I'll wait until tomor-
rou- morning, Jack" said Johnson.
"Rut don't fail to come.
Early on the morning Of the hght
Crrlev went to the bank and drew
ont the $4,000. He motored out TO
Tohnson's quarters and handed over
me money to Jack. The latter, in
turn counted the money, all OF
which was in bills of $1,000 ana
then gave il to his wife, saying:
Here mommer. put this away.
Mrs johnson tucked the money In
her waist.
r,ip,,,t run out at the last minute,
decided TO stay with the negro right
nm TO the time the fight was TO
start. He didn't want to arouse
Johnson's suspicious that he sus-
pected the negro might run out, 50
he turned to Mrs. johnson and
asked:
Lucille. may 1 take a little rest
7 haven't had a wink of sleep fol-
two nights and a little nap will hell
me lot"
So Curley rested, always keepins
one eve on johnson. When 1t camt
time to start for the battle ground
Curley rode in with the champion.
Before they started Mrs. johnson
served tea and crackers While they
we're eating, Johnson turned to Cur
ley and asked
Jack, what chance has this bis
sucker got with me?'
He's a big, strapping fellow, and
IL you can't stop him early, he's likely
to outlast you." replied Curley.
well, think i can knock him ou'
in any round that / want TO-" SAID
johnson. But for the sake Of th'
pictures I am going to let him sticl
for ten or a dozen rounds.
by the way, Jack. / am willing e
talk business IL you can dig VI
enough money. but it's got TO be {
lot of money" was Johnson's next re
mark.
How much do you want?" sske'
] Curlsx. more out Of curiosity thai