The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-09-05
SHOWED
He CANNOT MAKE
WILLARD HUSTLE

Canton, O., Sept. Erred Fulton.
by virtue of his victory over Carl
Morris, may stand forth as the lead
ing contender for the heavyweight
championship of the world held by
Jess willard, but it is no great boost
for Fulton. Rather it is a terrific
slam at the other heavyweights now
associated with the ring. Fulton won
on a foul from Morris. It is also true
that up to the time Morris butted
Fulton with his head in the
sixth found Fulton had tabbed him
continually with his left, but there
is no getting behind the fact that
Fulton failed to show anything that
resenb1ed championship ca1ibre at
any stage during the bout.
His style Of boxing and his evident
lack Of the right kind of spirit were
big disappointment to his most ardent
supporters. In short, Fulton himself
is a disappointment. For several
years they have been trying to make
Fulton into a championship posi-
b1lity. but he has never progressed
further than the prospect stage He
can jab with his long left and he can
hit with his right, but his lack Of
aggr essiveness and his seeming lack
Of heart seem to be obstacles too grea.
for him to overcome.
Until now his faults have been
overlooked to great extent because
1t was figured that he was compare
lively young in the game; that he
would learn and that then his devel-
opment would be rapid. But he can
no longer be called young in the
game. He has been boxing for four
years and he seems to know but little
more than he did when he started.
His assets are all natural ones. He
has height, reach and weight. His
left is a natural jab and stiff one.
His right is powerful enough to floor
any opponent but there his assets
cease. It may be argued that natural
assets are the best kind to possess
and in a great measure this is true,
but if these natural assets cannot be
perfected and are not supplemented
by a stout heart and the proper fght-
ing spirit the natural assets are dis
counted and can count for compare
lively little in a championship pros
pect as prospects must be measured
with a man like Willard holding the
crown.
After his showing here on Labor
Day afternoon it is counted by many
whether bout between Willard and
Fulton would prove a great enough
attraction for any promoter to gamble
a purse as big as Willard demands
for his share.
It is known that Willard will not
consider less than $50 700 for his end,
win, lose or draw, and $50, 900 augu-
mented by what Fulton would expect
and the expenses of promoting the
bout is lot of money to risk on
such an Investment It seems too
great a. risk for the average promoter
to take. If tho bout drew at all it
would simply be because boxing fans
are anxious to see Willard in the ring
and might pay we'll and travel far to
see him regardless of who his oppon-
ent was. Then, again, the fans might
treat the match as too much Of a
joke to regard it seriously and turn it
down. That's what makes it such a
big gamble.
The showing made by Carl Morris
removes him from further considera-
ton as a contender for the title His
was indeed a sorry showing. There
was absolutely nothing about his
work other than his bull-like rushes
to recommend him.
The extent of his knowledge seems
to be to tuck his head between his
massive shoulders and to wade in
swinging both hands, hoping that a
chance blow may land on a vital spot
and knock out his opponent. He is
perfectly willing to take jabs to the
face and head to get inside.