JOHNSON, JACK-JESS WILLARD FULL TICKET (POSTPONED 1915 DATE IN MEXICO)

On April 5, 1915 in Havana, Cuba World Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson fought Jess Willard. Under a grueling sun the two fought for 26 rounds when suddenly the giant Jess Willard stopped the aging Johnson with a hard straight right hand. Johnson later claimed to have thrown the fight, but most ring historians dismiss this claim. The fight was of great note. Before the fight was made in Havana it was originally scheduled to be held on March 6, 1915 in Juarez, Mexico under the promotion of Jack Curley and the authority of General Hipolito Villa. Villa had agreed with Curley to have the fight in Juarez. Johnson was guaranteed $30,000. with Willard guaranteed $10,000. The New York Times announced the agreement and printed Villa's letter of confirmation to Curley who accepted this bid over a bid by Billy Gibson to take the fight to Havana. In the end, however, Jack Johnson, who was in exile from the United States for a Mann Act violation, would not fight in Mexico. On march 6, 1915 Curley announced the fight would be held the following month in Havana. Curley explained, "I couldn't convince Johnson that it would be safe for him to go to Mexico. It was not because he was afraid of the United States officers grabbing him because the Mann white slave act under which he was indicted in Chicago, is not extraditable. What he did fear was that some hot-headed Texan, when he saw Johnson beating Willard, as he says he would be doing, would rise up with a six-shooter in his hand and start popping at him. (Pittsburg Press, Page 4, March 6, 1915.)." Offered here is a very rare original, full ticket for the originally scheduled Johnson-Willard fight in Mexico.
This is an original full ticket which names the fighters, date and venue. 4 small holes punched. Three stubs all firmly attached. Bold color and print. Ornate back. Clean front. Small clear tape stain on back, otherwise clean. Edge and corner wear. Minor chip in lower right corner. Mild creasing. 3 1/8" x 7 5/8."