Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-03-19
WILLARD AND
FULTON ARE
WELL MATCHED
Reach is Same for Both Men
. Fulton is Somewhat
Lighter.

New York, March 1s.-The Jess
Willard-Fred Fulton fight for the
worlds heavyweight championship
calls attention anew to these extra
ordinary opponents Of modern pugi-
lism. Big men have been by no
means in the ring during
past decades but never in the history
OF fsticuffs have two boxers of the
height and reach of Willard and Full
ton faced in the squared circle.
THE present titleholder is the big
gest man who eve won prominence
through his ability to outpunch an OPP
ponent, but, in this respect. he has
very little advantage over his pros
pective competitor. In the matter of
height Willard is just about n inch
taller than the former plasterer who
halls from Rochester, Mimi. Previ-
Gus to the advent Of these Goliaths
Jim Jeffries, standing. 6 feet l 1-2
inches. was the tallest man who ever
held the heavyweight championship.
Jim Corbett and Jack Johnson both
grew into the six-foot or better class
while two Of the greatest heavies the
prize ring ever knew-Fitzsimmons
and John l.. Sullivan-were under SIX
feet in height.
1t is not alone in height that Full
ton and Willard stand apart when
compared with the former champions
in this class. They are also heavier
and have longer reaches and in all
probability in ths1heat of action pack
4 more crushirA olow, although this
is purely a matY.r OF opinion because
there Is no way Of comparing their
punching power with that OF those
who have gone before.
Willard in his battle with Johnson
at Havana in 1915, entered h ring
weighing 240 pounds. Fulton has
given his normal fighting weight at
about 225 pounds. If the pair meet
for the championship it is likely thai
the titleholder will not train much
below $50 pounds. while his challenger
will carry more than the usual amount
of flesh, in view of the long battle
that is generally predicted before d
winner is evolved from the flying fists
OF the ~combatants. With the possible
exception of Johnson's weight against
Willard the pair would be the heavi'
est who ever fought for the title
johnson tipped the scales at a trif1e
over 23O pounds at Havana, which
was some twenty pounds more thar
he weighed when he won from Jeffrie:
in 1910. No other heavyweight in hi:
prime, excepting Jeffries, ever weigh
ed Owe 200 pounds while at his best
Awe-inspiring as is h size of viii
lard or Fulton they appear to be yer!
evenly matched in general physica
makeup. The champion is an incl
tai err and weighs some twenty pound
more. III reach. an important asse
of the boxer, they are about equal
Willard is larger through the bod,
but Fulton has the greater expansion
In the various measurements Of arm
~, and legs Willard is a trifle larger bu
Fulton is the sinewy type of athlet
who possesses great power withou
the accompanying bullying muscles
Youth is also on his side for he is a
least eight years younger than tn
t tleholder.
The physical statistics of these tw
heavyweights, together with a com
pilation showing the height an
weight of former champions, are ap
pended.
How the heavyweigh.s compare:
Willard.
Height it. 6 IL in.
Reach-83 1-2 inches. :
Chest tnormal)-45 inches.
Chest (expanded)-49 II inches.
Neck-11 IL inches.
Waist-40 inches.
Caif-17 inches.
Ankle-1l inches.