Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-04-24
WILLARD-FULTON
UPSET TRADITION
Champion to Risk Title on
Decision by Referee in
Tcn-Round Bout.
SHORTEST TITLE CONTEST
Can Willard, a Notorious
Slow Starter, Defend
the Crown?

NEW YORK, April "a most
unusual and interesting situation Will
arise In connection with tho proposed
willard Fulton bout IL 1t is staged
In the state ~ Minnesota, as at pres
ent appears likely According to the
tentative terms OF agreement the
title holder and his towering chal-
lenger are to meet In a l0-round
contest for the heavyweight champ
ionship OF the world. the premier
titular honors Of pugiltsm to 20 with
the decision OF the referee. in case
both boxers are on their feet at the
end or thirty minutes OF boxing
Whether willard holds lightly the
laurels so ably defended in the past
by Jeffcries, sullivan, Fitzsimmons
and other heroes of the ring. or has
supreme confidence IN his ability TO
successfully defend tn, same under
any and all conditions the fact re-
mains that never In the history OF
heavyweight puEilism has a titular
bout been fought under such an
agreement In order that there
might he no misunderstanding upon
this point willard wns asked II he
agreed TO stake his championship
upon referees decision IN a lO-round
bout and IN reply said that he would
like longer bout than the ten
rounds scheduled with Fred Fulton
TO decide the worlds championship.
jess Is Confident.
However" no continued the
short route with a referees decision
may satisfy the public would
prefer twenty although | am conf
dent ! can retain the title In any cir
willard having therefore agreed 10
stake his title on the outcome OF
short bout and the Minnesota boxing
law containing no provision against
the rendering OF decision by IA duly
appointed referee. tho contest viii
differ from any titular glove battle
between big men OF the ring 80 far
's pugilistic history shows Since
he night Jim Corbett knocked out
J ohm l.. sullivan In 81 rounds at New
orleans on September I, 1892, there
nave been 10 battles Tor the heavy
NelEN ChamplonShip,
These contests have ranged from
wenty to 4j rounds with a decision /
n case a knockout aid not terminate 1
he battle before the final bell In
,ut five OF these did the victor drive
rome the winning blow In less than
en- rounds and the average for the
ull II battles was IA 1911 rounds I
Willard himself holds the duration .
ecord for II took him 26 rounds TO .
top Jack Johnson with the Jeffries-
'harkey 25-round battle close sec
nd.
Big Task for Champion.
II would appear under the cirCum-
tanccs that willard has get himself
/ considerable task In breaking away :
rom ring tradition. lie Is a motor
GUS slow starter In his ring cam
,aigns and has to date showed
marked lack of aggressivcness,
at the age OF 30 he can de-
'elop a new set OF ring tactics to
~ the peculiar conditions sbsround- .
nE the proposed bout IN a question
which only time can answer.
Opinions among close followers Of .
nugiliSm based upon the work of the .
Two heavyweiEhts In the ring lean
toward the belief that In such "A short I,
out Fulton's superior boxing ability /
would give him u decided advantage
and possibly the championship by /.
decision. should he bc wise enough /.
10 battle scientifically for the points I.
necessary TO earn such "A decision
Despite the difference In the ages
N the two boxers very few conceive
hat Fulton could knock out willard
In ten rounds. Such an effort would
probably arouse the champion To
FUN use Of his super strength and
End dlsastrously FOR Fulton willard.
nn the other hand unless stung TO
fury Is hardly likely to develop the
Rerserk rage necessary TO carry him
through ten rounds OF aggressive
rushing and crushing action which
V-uld give him victory either by
knockout or deoi o. with the prob
ability favorlng the former