The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-11
Are NR and Financial
Champion Boxers Grow
Moss on Backs in Time
From Sullivan to Johnson Title Holders Have FOOLED
Public-Many Experts Pick Willard
to VIM
~ Cross COUNTER.

The glamour of one great victory has
carried many a pugilistic champion high
on the crest OF popular favor long after
his intrinsic merits had dwindled almost
to the disappearing point
Once placed on the pedestal Of cham
pionship idolatry. the ring monarch holds
his place in public esteem until topped
over by new warrior Of unsupported
prowess
This prejudice in favor Of the reign
Ing title holder Is doubtless responsible
for the tendency to soon at the sug-
gestion that Jack Dempsey can wrest the
heavyweight crown from Jess Willard.
Did not Willard conquer the mighty
black battler Jack johnson? Ask the
worshippers Of the champion. And was
not that far greater feat than any
performed by Dempsey? Conceding that
Willard did defeat johnson, would 1t not
be wise for those who bend the knee at
the Willard throne to consider the sub
ject from various angles before mort
saging the old homestead and betting
the money on the champion?
Willard recently confessed to being 40
years Of age. No heavyweight in thirty
years. with the exception of Fitzs.mmons,
has fought with any vigor after pass
Ing IS.
Conceding that Willard has led care
ful life, yet the three years OF athletic
inactivity since his victory over the
| negro cannot but have reduced his
agility and boxing ability to a negligible
quantity.
Fitzsimmons. after reaching 40. main
tanned his high standard of physical ex-
tcellence by frequent ring combats and
therefore never lost his judgment as TO
| distance and the freedom and accurac y
OF his punching. Fitzsimmons also k-ot
down his weight in proportion to his size
| and in fact was good athlete even at
the time he was defeated by Philadelphia
Jack O'Brien and Jack johnson.
Mountain of Flesh.
Willard. on the contrary, despite his
sreat height of 6 feet 6 inches. has piled
on flesh in A way that precludes his
ever entering the ring in the physical
condition he exhibited three years ago
in Havana. If Willard were to train
three months for a battle with Dempsey
| the champion might take off some Of the
excess weight, but II would be impossi-
| bic for him to regain any OF tie speed
nc pOSseSSeu previous 10 DcCOl1llllg a CIT
| Gus magnate.
The lightning like movements OF
Dempsey, who now it at the apex OF his
athletic form, would enable the chal-
| lenger to get under the guard OF the tall
Kansan with the same disastrous effects
| that followed the body blows landed by
| Dempsey on Fulton. Willard is SO long
bodied that his diaphragm would be a
shining mark for body puncher like
Dempsey. The late Les Darcy expressed
| the belief that II he met Willard he
would be able to defeat the tall champ
with blows to the stomach
"Wot a mark" said Darcy, as he
| gazed admiringly at the large expanse
% hittable territory between Willard
! belt and chin.
Dempsey would not beat Willard be.
| cause Of lack Of courage Buttons chief
| failing), for while the champion has
never shown himself to be an aggressive
| fighter he never exhibited timidity The
| bulldog ferocity of the Salt Lake City
| boy coupled with his wonderful agility