The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-06-23

Some people think Jess Willard
defeated Jack johnson because he
was the better fighter Others feel
sure that Johnson was beaten by his
own method of living and by the ir-
resistible slowing-up process that time
imposes on every man after he passes
the crest of physical perfection. And
there are thoee who believe Lii Ar
tha' was not so anxious to beat VIII
lard, anyhow.
Whatever the cause the star Of
Jack Johnsons ring career flicked
out at Havana on April g. 1915. That
day for the second time in his life,
Johnson was knocked out. The first
enforced nap had mattered not. 1t
was taken at Galveston in 1901 at
the hands Of Joe Choynski. and John
son was almost unknown beyond the
island where he lived. But when the
big negro arose from this second
slumber, he was a has-been.
Willard was 81 years old, ten
years the junior of the champion, and
both his height and reach exceeded
those of Johnson. The dusky title
holder apparently put forth his best
effort in the early round2, but he
could not topple the giant to the
canvas. Willard was slow in his
movement, fighting on the defense
and with great care, manifesty bid
ing his time.
His time kept him waiting quite a
while. Johnson was little fatter.
a little slower and some of his old
wallop was gone from his arms, but
his ring generalship, his mastery OF
tactics had not forsaken him He
was still the 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 fight" he frequently
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 exhaust
ed, while the Kansan was still fresh
and glowing.
Plainly tired and worn out, john
son kept up the fight for seven more
rounds. Leaving his corner at the
gong for the 26th round. he glanced
al his wife with a look of distress
and despair that warned those near
the ring of his impending fall.
As soon as ne met willard almost.
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 heavy
weight championship of the world he
became circus performer.
In an off season for circuses IN
1916 he fought ten rounds with Frank
Moran at Madison Square Garden and
won a popular decision. Moran, follow
ing his defeat by Johnson, had trium-
phed over Jim Coffey, another aspir-
ant for the championship, and was con-
considered eligible for a crack al the
title holder.
He was no match for the Kansas
giant. who outweighed him almost so
pounds. Willard allowed the challenger
TO do the Leaking but Moran could not
inject sufficient punitive power in his
blows to even leave q scratch upon
his big opponent.
In manner of speaking. Willard
whipped Moran with one hand. and In
literal manner, too. The forefnger OF
his right hand was broken in the third
round in a collision with Morans ell
bow and after that only the left fist
was Of much use 10 him. With that
alone he could not knock his oppo-
ncnt out, so the last round endei just
as Pollyanna woald have wished. No
one had been hurt, and both men
were great deal wealthier than be-
fore they met.
Willard salted away the sI7,5OO
which came to him from the purse
and went back to the circus unworried
by what the future held in store.