New-York tribune., 1919-02-18
Jess Threatens
To Knock Off
Block of Jack
Uncouth Remark Made bv
the Champion w lille
Waiting for Rickard
By w. O. Mcclellan

For the first time in his career as
heavyweight champion Jess Willard
spoke of Knocking somebody's block
Off" He referred, of course, to that
particular block appertaining to Jack
Dempsey. This uncouth and unpugi-
lstic remark was made while the
heavyweight champion was IN Chicago
waiting the coming Of Tex Rickard.
1t seems that Willard has at last
come to the conclusion that "knocking
somebody's block off, IS part of the
profession through which he has
amassed something like quarter of
million dollars. Hitherto Willard
has been absolutely without strain
Of that vIciousness which is neces
sary in the makeup of a prizefighter.
He has paid no attention to the game
itself. His mind has been entirely on
the purse. Also he used to let his
managers do his talking. He emerged
from his she'll yesterday for the first
time since he beat Jack johnson, and
he carries she'll thicker than the
one that used to be carried by Jim
Jeffries
IN fight Dempsey anywhere and |
will knock him out" declared Willard.
"People seem to think that | am a
great big freak and that | am not
really a fighter. III show them some
thing this time"
1t was clear to anybody who saw
the Willard Moran fight that Willard
could have knocked out Moran at sew
eral stages of the bout, but he did not.
1t was thought at the time that this
was because Willard was sorry for his
game opponent.
The real reason has just come out.
1t seems that Tom Jones. one of Will
lard's former managers, had bet heav
lily that Willard would knock Moran
or his other manager, so he deliber
ately let Moran stay in order that
Jones should lose the money he bet.
SO it develops at this late stage that
Willard really has sense of humOr.
The Senatorial committee from
Albany drfted into Grupp's gym
nasium last night to see some boxing.
Most Of the committee were we'll in
formed on the subject of uppcrcut and
right cross, but q few of the solons
had never seen any contests except
ing those staged in the back lots.
There was some difference of opinion.
Some of the lawmakers thought that
the sport was too rough, while others
contended that it was not rough
enough.
The main idea seemed to be that
there ought to be some kind of
boxing Bill. The advocates of the bill
are getting moro hopeful every day
some Of them even going so far as
to predict that the bill will permit
fifteen rounds with decisions.
While as yet there is no bill and
no need Of boxing commiss oner, the
various organizations interested in
boxing are putting out their candi-
! dates for boxing commissioner. Promi
nent members of the New York Ath-
letic Club, an organization which al
ways has backed clean sports and clean
sportsmen, are pinning their faith to
Charlie Thorley, an oldtime boxer,
one who battled in the days before
the double cross was known to the
Queensberry ring. Charlie is now play
ing the peaceful and pastoral voca-
ton of florist but is reported as will
ing to take the tough and thankless
job.
CHICAGO, Feb. 17.-Jess Willard,
day was "oficially" advised by Tex
Rickard that Jack Dempsey would be
his opponent in the championship
fight on July a.
"There was no significance to our
meeting to-day" Rickard said. 81 was
in Chicago on the way West on some
personal business. Willard came on
some other business and decided to talk
things over with me. There is a stipu-
lation in our contract that | am per-
sonally to advise him who is opponent
is to be. | did that day"
Rickard started for Fort Worth
Tex, in connection with selection of a
site for the fight He declared he
had received many bids, some Of which
were favorable beyond expectations,
but that the arena would not be chosen
until every consideration had been
given all bids, which probably will take
several weeks.