THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1919

WILLARD'S WIFE, SORRY OF DEFEAT, IS GLAD HIS RING CAREER IS ENDED

(By the Associated Press)

_ Toledo, July 4. - There is one woman in Toledo tonight happy be- cause Jess Willard is no longer world's heavyweight champion. She is the wife of vanquished titleholder, and mother of his five children. She left them in their home in Lawrence, Kans., came Toledo unannounced last night and, with Willard's attorney, occupied a seat in the $50 section this after- noon while her husband was being battered to defeat. No one in the huge crowd, except the champion him- self, knew she was there. _When the bruised and battered giant of the ring was brought to the home he had occupied in Toledo's exclusive residential district, Mrs. Willard was there eager to care for his wounds. She put him on a davenport and sat at his side, applying soothing iced cloths to his closed eye. _Mrs. Willard left the sun-baked arena after the towel was cast into the ring at the start of the fourth round, while the beaten champion was taken to the casino, his training camp for a month, where he was bathed and first aid given his injuries. _ _ Can Now Live in Peace. _"I am sorry that Jess was beaten, but I can truthfully say I am happy that he's no longer champion," Mrs. Willard said. _"It means now, that we shall be able to live in peace. Jess will be- come a private citizen again. It was the second boxing contest I had ever witnessed and I do not want to wit- ness any more. I shall be happy when I can take Jess back home to our children." _Although, the fight was over before 4:30 o'clock, Willard did not motor to his home until an hour and a half later. He said he did not recover from the effects of the left hook that Dempsey landed early in the first round until perhaps an hour after he left the ring. _"That was the blow that started me on to defeat." Willard said, "I felt physically able to continue, but my head wasn't clear and my eye was closed and I realized it would have been useless for me to attempt to box while half blinded. _"Dempsey is a remarkable hitter. It was the first time that I had ever been knocked off my feet. I have sent many 'birds' home in the same bruised con- dition that I am in and now I know how they feel. I sincerely wish Demp- sey all the luck possible and hope that he garners of the riches that go with the championship. I have had my fling at the title. I was champion four years. And I want to assure you that they'll never have to give a bene- fit for me. I have invested the money I have made." _ _Neighborhood in Sorrow. _When the beaten champion motored to his home with ray O. Archer, his business manager, and his sparring partners, the porches adjoining the Willard house were alive with wom- en dabbing their eyes with handker- chiefs. _"It seems as if there has been a death in the neighborhood," one of them said. _"Well, I tried it once too often," was the greeting Willard gave them. _The champion had a Turkish towel draped over his head to obscure his bruised face. He does not expect to leave Toledo for three or four days.

THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION JULY 5, 1919

THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION JULY 5, 1919

DEMPSET WINS JACK DEMPSEY NEW KING WILLARD A PITIABLE SIGHT GREATEST HEAVYWEIGHT SINCE JEFFRIES WILLARD'S STYLE OF LOSING

WILLARD'S WIFE, SORRY OF DEFEAT,
IS GLAD HIS RING CAREER IS ENDED
THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, JULY 5, 1919
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