, 1921-06-24

OF FORMER
CHAMPIONS

Some people think Jess Willard
defeated Jack Johnson because he
vas the better fighter. others feel
sure that Johnson was beaten by
his own method of living and by
the irresistible slowinE-up process
that time imposes on every man
-fter he passes the crest of physi-
cal perfection. And there are those
who believe LII Artha' was not SO
anxious TO beat Willard. anyhow.
Whatever the cause. the star Of
Jack Johnson's ring career hicked.
out at Havana on April 5. 1918.
That day. for the second time in
his life. johnson was knocked out.
Tho first enforced nap had mat
tered not. 1t was taken at Gal
weston in 1901 at the hands OF Joe
Choynski and johnson was almost
unknown beyond the island where
he lived. But when the big negro
arose from this second slumber. he
wns n has been.
Willard was 81 years old. ten
a the Junior OF the champion
and both his height and reach ex-
ceeded those OF Johnson. The dusky
title holder apparently put forth
his best effort in the early rounds
but he could not topple the giant
to the canvas. Willard was slow
in his movement. fighting on the
defense and Wit. great care, mani.
testify hiding his time.
His time kent him waiting quite
a while. johnson was a little fat
ter. a little slower and some OF tho
old wallop was gone from his arms
but his ring ~generaiship. his mas
terry of tactics had not forsaken
him. He was still h most clever
boxer of them all.
The early rounds showed him to
be the same teasing scrapper he
had always been. why don't you
come ahead and nght7" he fire.
quently blurted at the cautious
willard.
Later. the signs of leg WEAKNESS
were apparent in the champions
movements. In the 18th round he
suddenly seemed to become ex-
hausted. while the Kansan was
still fresh and glowing.
Plainly tired and worn out. John
son kept up the night for seven
more rounds. Leaving his corner
at the gong for the 26th round. he
glanced at his wife with a look OF
distress and despair that warned
those near the ring OF his impend-
ing fall
As soon as he met Willard. al
most. the cowboys right arm shot
out and struck johnson flush on
the chin. He sank down and a new
champion was proclaimed
After Jess Willard won the
heavyweight championship of h
world he became a circus per-
former.
In an on-season for circuses in
1915. he fought ten rounds with
Frank Moran at Madison Square
Garden and won a popular d~ecision.
Moran, following his defeat by
johnson had triumphed over Jim
Coffey, another aspirant for the
championship. and was considered
eligible for a crack a the title
holder.
He was no match fox the Kan
san giant who outweighed him al
most so pounds. Willard allowed
the challenger to do the leading hut
Moran could not inject sufficient
punitive power in his blows I even
leave a scratch upon his big op-
ponent
In q manner Of speaking. VIII
lard whipped Moran with one hand.
and in a literal manner. too. Tho
forehnger of his right hand was
broken in the third round in a COL
lision with Moran's elbow and after
that only tho left fist was OF much
use to him. With thai alone he
could not knock out his opponent.
go h asst round ended just as
Poilyanna would have wished. No
one had been hurt and both men
were a great deal wealthier than
before they met.
Willard sailed away the .s47. 500
which came to him from the purse
and went back to the circus unwor
ried By vha: The future held in
store.