The Washington times., 1919-06-23

An excellent view OF the big fellow
was rendered at the Casino training
quarters yesterday afternoon during
the eight rounds OF boxing that he
went through with nothing on but his
hghdng shoes and a short pair Of
trunks.
Ii in Bad shaPe.
Hes high In flesh all right and the
surplus hangs over his belt in an
omtnOus manner when he bends back
ward over the ropes and also when he
gets into quick action The same old
culver OF the flesh on his torso and in
the big back muscle OF his legs is all
too apparent. and he does not seem TO
be able to get rid Of these bad signs.
People might say, in criticising him
as an athlete, that he was positively
fat He's hardly that; he's Just
high" a term used by horsemen in
speaking OF a horse that needs q lot
OF work.
wiuard's boxing does not improve
much.
Never the greatest star m the world
in an exhibition sense, he seems to
be slower and heavier than ever in
his movements about the ring. The
chief thing noticeable to me in this
is his utter indecision in making a
move, even at the sparring mates,
whose every move he knows or should
know with his eyes shut.
Talk IL Ridiculous
The whole thing is right here: WI
lard's method OF training does not ap-
pear to have done a great deal OF
good. True, as he says, he has re-
duced his weight from 2SO or some
thing like that down TO $50, at which
weight he boxed Frank Moran in New
York city three years ago last March !
Willard was not in really great cundi-
ton on that occasion, but he doesn't !
look as good now as he did then
Some have said that he looks as good I
today as he did in Havana This Is
positively ridiculoUR Jess trained /
for something like three months for /
that battle, q considerable length Of |
time in Mexico, and finishing UP in the |
city Of Havana He was just about as |
perfect specimen OF physical per !
lection when he stepped into the ring
that afternoon in Havana as anyone /
could wish TO see.
That was over four years ago. and
Jess. at his age. Will never see the day
he will be anywhere near like he way
that day.
Comment On Jess.
At this stage Of the game 7 am
TO make a comment that NAV
give food for thought 10 a lot of PEG
pie in this line of work and interest. !
Here il IS:
If Jess Willard wins this fight. and !
a great many people think be will and ]
will bet on him. then the whole basis !
Of physical culture may as we'll be /
wiped out. II he can win after a few
dabs Of training that he has and the |
few wishy-washy efforts he has made |
TO keep himself At. then the whole |
structure Of physical fitness has been |
nullitied, wiped out. and put at resi- /
forever.
Willard has lived a soft life for
three years and over. and for the last /
four years, excepting for the efforts
he made 20" fit himself for the Moran
engagement, he has not made a single /
effort along athletic lines.
Talk of Powers Is Bosh.
II isn't in the cards. He must no
4 hardened, seasoned warrior TO COM
pete with this compound bunch Of
dynamic force with which he Is
matched. They talk OF his mighty up-
Dercut. his wonderful size, his super
his marvellous ability to
AXE punch and assimilate il. and
he rest Of il. That's all 'bosh; this
nan who possesses all Of this isn't in
The best Of condition, and il doesn't