El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-08-20

eCTHERE is absolutely no truth IN
/ the reports that I have retired
or intend to retire in the very near
future" said champion Jess Willard
during a chat in Chicago q few days
ago. And you can add, too" said
Jess, that I have not turned my title
over to Jack Dempsey, Fred Fulton
or any other fighter. That title IS
mine and any one who gets it. VIII
have to fight me for it unless cireum-
stances should prevent 4"
False Reports.
The above talk occurred in Chi
cago following the failure OF the pro-
posed Salvation Army benefit, which,
by the way, was prevented through
a lot OF petty politics. The reports,
too. that Willard was as big as
house and scaled around 500 pounds,
are without foundation Jess looks
big and husky and probably weighs
close 10 go. but that is nothing out
OF the ordinary for him, as he usually
scales around that mark when not
training and when in proper shape
tips the beam at about 245 to 25e- The
fact is Jess looked better than usual
and carried very little surplus flesh
about the mid section He might have
been doing some light training, Judg-
ing from his fine appearances, but he
stated that he had been working
about the farm and oil districts,
which probably accounts for It.
The question was put straight
to jess about n meeting with Jack
Dempsey, with the prevfsiOn that
part OF the receipts be turned over
to the 4. N. c. A. and h. OF G.
funds. and the champion seemed
willing to take the matter up
seriously.
1T IS too bad about the Salvation
Army benefit" said Jess. but u IS
no fault OF the boxers this time
did not think there would be chance
TO box again until the war ended. as
the service However. as he is open
TO meetings, why there may be
chance Of doing something. He Is
good fighter from all reports, but I
was not surprised at his defeat OF
Fulton, for always felt that Fred
would be easy for me- I had TO fight
FOR my title and the man who gets It
viii have to do the same thing
show Ne some Coin.
"Of course II the war should be
stretched out it might necessitate my
retiring for am IS now, providing
Of course I do not fight in the interim,
but II they can show me some coin
and where I can also turn a good
bunch OF it over to the funds men
toned above, why I an very willing
I TO talk business Dempsey may be
great man and all that, but he must
remember that had TO forfeit every
thing in order to get a crack at Jack
johnson for the championship. I am
not asking him TO do the same as I
did. but you may rest assured that
will take the big end II a match Is
made and then 7 VIII turn half OF It
over to the Y. n c. A and X OF c
I would like to see the affair made
big one so as to be able to turn over
a good chunk Of money 10 the funds.
Dempsey viii have to turn over a
good share OF his also. Under these
conditions may consent TO take the
Young man on early this fail or as
soon as can get in proper shape"
Dempsey and his manager, Jack
Eearns, have announced their will
iugness to make the match with the
champion. but they want something
in sight, too. for their labor How
ever. there is a good chance OF the
two sides getting together and put
ting IL through. The Cream city A
c. Of Milwaukee have offered TO han
die the match and turn over 80 per