New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-01
Slashing Bout Due at the
Manhattan Athletic
Club Tonight :
BY FRED HAWTHORNE

Only Freddie Welsh himself knows
what his plan of battle is for to-nights
ten-rourd bout at the Manhattan A. {.
with Johnny Kilbsne, and perhaps even
Freddie will be guided in his tactics by
the behavior Of the featherweight
champion.
II Welsh discovers that he can hold
Kilbane even on speed and punching
power he is liable TO go right out and
force the issue, as he should do, being
the heavier man by some seven or
eight pounds. In such ease those
Gho file through the gates at the Man
haitian tonight should see one OF the
greatest bouts between the little TEL
lows ever staged in this city.
Everything to Win
Kilbane has every incentive 20 so
out and try for knockout from the
first round Could he stretch welsh
on the canvas for count OF ten ana
thus acquire the lightweight ute OF
the world while at the same time hold
ING undisputed sway in his own class
he would become n remarkable draw
ing card, which means money, much
money and a distinction held only once
before, when Terry McGoyern did the
trick.
In agreeing 10 make 1876 pounds A.
. o'clock this afternoon Welsh has had
to work for speed whereas kilbane.
irving TO bring his weight as near
Welsh's as possible without becoming
sluggish. has been doing everything 70
develop his punch.
The featherweight title holder has
told IA himself that he is at his best
when down between 100 and 1873 pounds,
I vet ne expects 20 enter the ring TO
! night a. about 1870 pounds. Whether
this extra poundage will detract from
/ Kilbane', speed sufficiently TO onset
/ his added horsepower IN punching must
remain en- open question until the men
are actually in the ring and eNch'hg-
/ ing blows. r.Li,
title of for ten rounds has become
haiti with Welsh. and one cannot
| hIsr,e hin for not being so enthusiast
tic "a he Younger. lighter hiloane'
Johnnv will be continually spurred on
bv the thought that a knockout by MIN
| will o. notable achievement, entirety
aside rom the financial returns IN
VOWED. ,,.u
crowd with Kilbane
Welsh. on the other hand, will gain
ro added glory or future drawing pow
ers should he win on points or even
| by a knockout, and It is certal1 thst
the crowd will be yelling for Kilbsne
I from the start.
Yet the lightweight champion has
undoubtedly put in an honest period OF
training. for decisive defeat by XII
bane would put an immediate crlmp IN
| Welsh's earning capacity, and Freddie
| has lust purchased an extensive estate
az Summit. \. j., with the intention OF
conducting a health farm.
| We felt the stomach OF Jess Willard,
| heavyweight champion of the world
yesterday, at Washington Park BROOK
! lyn, where Liz Jess is appearing for
week with the Buffalo Bill Wild West
| circus. The champion told us that he
| WEIGHED about 2G5 pounds" We poked
an inauisitve finger for second time
into his abdominal generosity and
guessed about 276," but we didn't
guess 10 out loud. IL we must sacrincc
our young and tender life, We would
rather do it in France than at the end
OF Jesse's fist out in Washington Park
But do not be misled into the i'm
preston that Wizards physical condl-
ton is such that he will never fight
again, or that he weighs more than 300
pounds, as certain reports from the
West have led you TO believe. For a
man of his great size, Jess is in re-
markedly fine condition to-day, and II
would require only about q month or
six weeks TO tit him for a champion
ship batte-If there was any logical
opponent for the big cowboy.
II am ready 20 fight any man, IN
there is enough money in il for me"
said Willard. when we asked him il he
would give Carl Morris another chance,
but what's the use of Morris? He
wouldn't draw $4,000. Pm sorry that
Fulton didn't come through against
Morris. He would have made a better
opponent for me-"
After galloping out on the field at
the head Of the cowboys and Indians,
Jess boxed three one-minute rounds in
an open air ring with Walter Monahan,
but this work was not strenuous,
although the big fellow moved about
I the ring with great speed of foot In
| the last round he leaned backwards
over the ropes and allowed Monahan to
swing with all his strength on his
/ stomach, which did not even grunt UNI
! der the impact.