Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-05-19
LARD BOUTNOW Johnson HORIZON
By BILLY EVANS

Jess Willard is back, Luis Firpo
has arrived.
These two decisions stand out as
the results of last SATURDAYS big
heavyweight elimination contests at
the Yankee stadium in New York.
Willard, the so-called old man of
the ring, proved that he is far from
through. He temporarily shunted
into the discard the old adage that
youth must be served.
The aged Kansan took everything
% the youthful Iowan' could offer,
~ smiled. Then to show he still
retained the old-time punch, he sent
a right sprawling to the floor with
a right uppercut as the bell rang at
the end of the eleventh round.
FirpO Biggest Hit.
Ut was clean knockout.
And when the bell sounded for
round II, Johnson was unable to re,
spond. Willard had come back!
Luis Firpo made perhaps the most
pronounced hit of the day. The
easy manner in which the Argentine
Walloper disposed of the much tout
ed Jack McAuliffe of Detroit makes
Firpo loom up as a likely contender
for the heavyweight title.
Luis Firpo is the "Absymal Brute"
of the late Jack London's ring fic-
ton. Firpo, the silent man of the
ring, who never seems to smile, who
knows fighting only as a serious
business, has yet to be put to Sc
rious test. Willard looms Just
ahead.
While in New York recently, l
made survey of the training camps
of Willard. Firpo, McAuliffe and
Johnson. At the same time had
chance to see Johnson in action
against Fred Fulton.
Floyd Lacks Punch
I voiced the opinion then that
Willard and Firpo were far the most
impressive. The result of the elimi-
nation tourney has borne out that
opinion.
Floyd Johnson's showing in the
Fulton bout was a distinct disap-
pointment. He hit Fulton with
everything but the ceiling. But the
much plastered plasterer took every
thing Johnson sent his way He still
was fighting back at the end of the
twelfth and final round.
johnson Game Fighter.
In the Fulton bout, Johnson made
it apparent that his punch packed
no dynamite. In the Willard bout
the performance was repeated. John
son seemed to have no trouble reach
ing big Jess, but there was nothing
back Of his punches.
Johnson is one of the gamest fight
ers ] ever have seen in action. he
can take it and keep coming If his
knowledge of the ring game, plus his
punch, were equal to his gameness,
Jack Dempsey wouldn't have
a chance with the Iowa farmer boy.
But Floyd lacks experience and
~ ring technique that goes with it.
I'LL throws his punches over hard,
but apparently doesn't deliver them
properly.
The defeat of Johnson at the
hands Of Willard doesn't mean that
he is through. johnson has youth
and cOurage-two assets capable of
surmounting all other obstacles Of
the ring.
Firpo, as I watched him in train
ing, seemed to have little or no sci
ence. When he landed punch on a
sparring partner, though even with
the heavy gloves used in the gym
nasium, it was evident he had some
thing back Of every swing. Each
punch perceptibly Jared his spar
ring mates.
Luis Clumsy Yet Clever.
Firpo is an awkerd, clever
fighter, who regards fighting in a
business way, and likes it.
When hard hit, he appears to fly
into a rage and starts swinging his
hairy arms in such a wild manner
that dozen of them, instead of two,
appear to be flying through the air
No doubt his opponent imagines he
can see a hundred gloves being
thrown in his direction.
Uunquestionably Luis is crude as
lar as ring sciensce goes. Yet he
IS perhaps Dempsey's most danger
GUS rival. He has proved he can take
punishment.
Likewise he has shown that he
can hit. The veteran Bill Brennan
spent a couple of weeks in hospi-
tai after Firpo had knocked him out
In their recent bout.
Best of all Tirpo likes to fight. He
is cave man of the ring. He fears
no one.
Jess Never Better.
Willard probably never entered
the ring in better shape than he did
last Saturday Despite his 40 and
more years, he showed plenty of
stamina. He routed the belief of
many experts that he must win in
side of five rounds. The experts
thought he would tire rapidly after
going that distance.
Jess Willard versus Luis Firpo!
That is the next big attraction for
New York fight fans. In all prob
ability, Tex Richard already has the