The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-07-07

 Jess Willard had the glorious chance of becoming one of the most idolized warriors the ring game has produced. But today he is the target of hoots. of jeers and of criticism; a champion in disfavor with those who helped to make him wealthy and famous. And he has no one but himself to blame.
 No pugilistic victory in history ever was so popular as that of willard's over Jack Johnson. The negro had been the undisputed king, of the heavies for four years and through every week of that time almost the entire world was combed for a white man who could dethrone him. The white race wanted a man who could restore to it the pugilistic crown that had been worn with so much glory, by John L., by Fitz, by Jeff, and it promised to any man who could accom- plish the feat fame and wealth.
 Just at the moment when the white race had lost hope, when it began to feel that Johnson would rule to the end of his days, Willard came along and sent the great negro topping to defeat. The championship had been restored to the white race!
 When news of willard's victory was flashed around the country it provoked widest enthusiasm. Willard became for the time being the most conspicuou Amer ican. His return to this country from the Cuban battlefield was a triumphal procession. Everywhere he went crowds lionized him Fame was Willard's im- mediately-and wealth came soon after wards.
 Jess didn't get a dollar for his fight with Johnson, because the expenses of staging the bout, together with John sons guarantee and bonus of $32, 800 ab- | sorbed the s5s.o00 receipts. But hardly had Jess returned to the states thar gold began to rain in on him. Right then Jess perhaps concluded that | wasn't necessary for him to fight again that he could amass fortune and retair his popularity by performing in a circus And there is where he made the first biz blunder.
 Nearly nine months went by-and Jes had made no real move toward tn,
 
 laging for the fans, They were perfectly willing that Jess should do circus stunt. for few months but they felt that h' 1 oughtn't to forget that he was a cham pjon pugilist-and that pugilistic king: are supposed to defend their titles oc casionally.
 After nearly a year Willard consented to fight Frank Moran in New York It was short ten-rounder without de Tote fo,,- { cnnfGGt Willard never had to extend himsel fully--and he didn't. The champion was about six inches taller than hi foe and weighed 5S pounds more. Fur thermore in tackling Moran he met man who had only two assets-a wild swinging punch and great courage Moran never was a really clever boxer and never professed to be. He was 'one- punch" man. Willard ran but lit tie risk in that bout because only knockout defeat could have taken hi laurels away. And he knew that. S he just played it safe.
 Willard outpointed Moran-as was t be expected. But his showing was disappointment to many of his enthusi lasts. They expected that he shoul score in a far more decisive fashio over man so much smaller than him self.
 More than two years have passe since then ,and Willard hasn't engage in single ring contest So hugel built that he should have been mor than a match for any living man, an with the public clamoring to see him i action, Willard has failed to fight Ha he gone in for active battling 1t likely that he could have done wha Jim Jefferies did-cleared the pugilisti horizon of every formidable foe. The tba Wnn16 haVa ont today real champion, as man worthy of hi title as pugilistic idol that the sport ing world would have been proud t I worship.
 But instead Willard elected to con tinue as a circus performer, ignorin the pleas of the fans And their vii acclaim for Jess in the earlier days c his championship since has been turne to jeers.
 Willard did agree to fight Fred Ful ton, but the abandonment of that mate must be charged very largely to Vii lard. By tlfe time he agreed to figh Fulton the antagonism toward tn champion had become so great. an his money demands had so disguste the fans. that the governors in state where 1t would have been possible t stage a decision combat ruled agains it. They sensed public sentiment-an they blocked the match.
 | Willard'S failure to appear at an boxing entertainments arranged to SC cure funds for athletic equipment fo the soldier boys was another facto against him. He made himself yer unpopular in that way when he had tn golden opportunity to solidify himsel with everyone who has drop of sport ing blood in his veins
 Three years ago Jess Willard was public idol and stood at the treshhol of fame and pugilisticy greatness sue as few men ever have known. The money madness seized him. The ,otlle day Jess Willard left Chicago for tn seclusion of his farm in kansas-an no one seems to care if he ever come back within the glare of the pugiiisti spotlight
 Extra poundage usually handicaps boxer, but it seems to be a distinct ad vantage for those who have batting cham lpionship ambitions.
 Skim over the list of great batsmel which the game has produced and, wit only a few exceptions, you will find tha
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