The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-21
WILLARD is READY
Big Jess Anxious to Sign
Articles With Dempsey.
Visits Topeka Saturday en-
Route to Montana.

Just as soon as Tex Richard puts
up a $4,000 guarantee on my fight
with Dempsey, I'm ready and anxious
TO sign articles for the battle said
Jess Willard Saturday. Jess was in
IIopeka on business. He was on his
way TO Montana in connection with
some oil interests in that state.
"All want is an iron clad guaran-
tee that Dempsey will fight. and I'm
ready to go in the ring with him. said
Willard
Have you any preference on what
day the fight is to be held, and
where?" he was asked.
We'll the fight is going to be held
on Labor Day. said Willard, .and
don't care where The only thing I'm
going to insist on is that it be held
outside Madison Square Garden in
New York. This place isn't big enough
| to hold the crowd 1 want them to
build an arena some place, and a big
one. SO all the folks that want to see
the fight. can get in
Jess seems to be of the opinion that
he can whip Dempsey. The big Kan
san stands firmly on two feet. hands
in his pockets, and looks you straight
in the eyes as he says so.
''All this stuff written about the way
| 1 lost the fight thru lack of road work
is all bunk. I don't want any road
work. Wouldn't take any if I fight
the rest of my life. I keep in good
| condition all the time, by workouts at
| home, and simple physical exercises -
Willard in Fine Shape.
| Willard does not have the appear
| ance of corpulence. Altho the writer
felt like a pigmy talking to a giant,
1t was not giant of overhanging rolls
of fat on a huge frame. The famous
Willard stomach still retains it's
straight even side view. No bay win
tdow projection hindrance to the
vision. Yes, Jess has all the ear-marks
| of a perfect condition, even to his old
| elastic walk, something unusual in q
man of his weight.
! How about the ease with which
Dempsey knocked you out for the
| count at Toledo. JESSE" he was asked.
Til tell you about that, he just
clipped me at the right time,' Jess
came back. 81 might have gotten that
| clip in the first fight ever had. You
fcan't tell when your opponent is going
to slip one over on you. Don't ever
believe it was because wasn't in con-
dition. My condition was all right.
His punch in the right place, early in
the fight, did the business. I didn't
have a chance after that
Can Fight Anytime, Says Kearns.
| Then here comes a fresh, hot story
from New York. quoting Jack Kearns,
lDempSey's manager, as saying that
Jess cal have the fight at any time
| within sixty or seventy days.
IF Jess wants a chance at the
| champion, he can have it within sixty
Tor seventy days." Kearns states.
l"Dempsey is not running away from
the proposition. but if Willard wants
the fight before the Dempsey-Carpen-
ttier battle, he has to take it within
the three months time. OF course,
Willard may wish to wait until after
| the Carpenter fight. But I want to
say emphatically that Dempsey is not
| afraid to meet Willard or anybody
else. Well meet him all right, when
ever he puts up the forfeit that he is
tquoted as saying he is ready to put up.
It'll put forfeit of $4,000 along with
lit, and guarantee Willard $4,000 for
his end, if he will put up a $4,000
forfeit for his appearance at the fight"
1t looks as tho the fight may be ar
| ranged, according to Kearns and Will
| lard. Their statements tally to a great
| extent. Willard seems willing-so
| does Kearns. The time for the fight
| may enter into the arrangements,
however. Willard wants to fight in
| the open, in an arena, on Labor day,
| while Kearns insists on a match with
in seventy days, unless Willard prefers
to wait until after the Carpenter
Dempsey fight.
| With willard going to Montana
things will probably remain at a stand
still until his return. The public has
mot given up hope of seeing the two
lin the ring again however.