Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-04
CHAMPION WANTS
FULTON TO SHOW
Jess willard Wonders II Fred Has
Gone Back To His Old Trade,
Plastering.
RED CROSS OFFER BONA FIDE
Contender for Title Claims That HI
Is Too Poor To Fight For No.
Returns.

Chicago. Jan. 4. - Planning the
heavyweight division is old stuff. Ev-
erybody's doing it, but here's new
angle; the ancient order of Planners
has a new member. Willard, cham
pion of the division.
The big fellow paused in the loop
few minutes Wednesday on his way
back to Rogers Park following his
daily spin, and let loose a few words
concerning Fred Fulton and other
heavies who spend the summer reck-
lessly throwing around challenges to
battle Jess. The reason these defies
remained uncalled at that time was
because the champ was busy earning
a few honest dollars, according to Will
lard's version, but now-well, that is
something else again.
BY way of limbering up his vocal
guns, Jess was asked if, by any mis-
take, his proposal to fight any heavy
weight in the world for the benefit of
the Red Cross had been withdrawn.
Willard insisted that the offer still
goes; also that he would like to get a
little action on the offer, and then fin
ished up by asking the whereabouts of
Fred Fulton, sometimes called the log
ical contender for Wizards title. HAS
he gone back to the plastering trade ?"
! questioned Jess.
"It has been three weeks since I Of
fered to meet any heavyweight in the
game for the benefit of the Red Cross
and nothing has been done yet" stat
ed Jess. Where are all these rivals
of mine hiding? A few months ago,
after the story was printed that !
would never fight again, never day
passed that some unknown giant with
visions of fame and fortune didn't
!; pop up and challenge me. When
failed to answer they said was afraid
to fight And of all the challengers
Fulton made the most noise. In fact l
! believe he gave me 30 days notice
that unless / fought him he would
| claim the title by default. How is il
| that he hasn't rushed forward and ac-
copied my latest offer?
| I'm case Fulton-and this goes for
the other heavies-missed seeing my
original Offer" continued Jess, Il am
going to repeat it, and it holds good
as long as the war lasts and l con-
L
fight any man in the world any place
any time; and the only stipulation
make Is that every cent taken in at
the gate or from the sale of the pic
| ture rights must go to the Red Cross
I'm ready to accept any offer in rea-
son. and if necessary will name a COM
mittee Of prominent men to pass on
the different towns making bids for
| the show so that the war cause can get
all the money possible out of the con-
test.
ANY number of bids for the match
already have been received" Jess went
on to say. "but of course number OF
these are publicity schemes and with
no backing. In case Fulton or some
other recognized top-notcher in the
heavyweight division decides to &C
cept my offer have an idea that per
mission could be obtained to hold the
fight in Chicago. New York or some
other big city. Then the contest could
be held some time this spring in the
open and an enormous sum raised"
Fulton Too Cautious.
When Wizards offer was first made
known to Fulton ceveral weeks ago
he objected to Jess terms. asserting
that he was too poor to fight for moth.
ing. However, he agreed to battle on
winner-take-all basis, ind said If he
was the victor he would contribute
half of his share to the Red Cross
When Jess was told Of this yesterday
he scoffed at Fulton's timidness.
IF Fulton thinks he can win. why
should he kick on the terms? 1t cost
me money to win-the title from John
son. but got mine later Fulton could
do the same thing"