The New Willard

Word comes from Excelsior Springs, Mo., that Jess Willard, some time heavyweight champion of the world, is deep in the tortures of preparing his ancient frame for the battle with Floyd Johnson in the Polo Grounds, New York, five weeks hence. Miles and miles of roadwork over the Missouri hills are the feature of his training. After the fourth day he had outrun all of his ten companions. His weight has dwindled to 251 pounds--the slightest he has ever been since he took the championship from Jack Johnson in Havana. These methods are in keenest contrast to the indolent routine that preceded Willard's demolition by Dempsey at Toledo.

Mike McTigue, Irish-American, who did the world some service on St. Patrick's Day by removing Battling Siki from the pugilistic panorama, sails for America on May 1. He has received an offer of $100,000 to fight Harry Greb in June. Joe Jacobs, his representative, comments: "McTigue would like to meet Carpentier at Boyle's Thirty Acres. He is a willing fighter and will not long be idle."

Mrs. Franklin I. Mallory reached the climax of the disasters in her tennis campaign along the Riviera when in the matches at Cannes she was defeated by Mlle. Vlasco, virtually unknown, score 8-6, 9-7. She sailed shortly afterward for America.

Last Monday inaugurated thoroughbred racing for the Eastern season with the opening of the Bowie, Md., meeting. The horses will hold the Eastern tracks of New York and Maryland for eight full months until the season closes, Nov. 29--also at Bowie.