Jack Dempsey v Luis Angel Firpo

POLO GROUNDS HAS ROOM FOR ONLY 80,000

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Fans Fighting for Ducats Even Though It Looks Like One-Sided Scrap

New York, Aug. 24.-Regardless of whether the fight is to be a fight or a farce, opinion differing on this point, the Dempsey-Firpo enterprise seems destined to be a sell out, even at this premature moment.

“I could sell 200,000 tickets if I had that number of seats,” Tex Rickard, the promoter, declared today.

Can’t keep ’Em Away

Just why this should be so, Mr. Rickard neglects to explain. He will tell you it is the reward of downright merit; that the bout is of such appeal he couldn’t keep them out with a shot gun. Yet Mr. Rickard could go out on Broadway and get as much as six to one against Mr. Firpo’s chances of beating Dempsey.

Such odds are not flattering to Firpo as a challenger nor to Rickard as a promoter. They would seem to indicate that the latter had stubbed a mental toe by tieing himself up with a match so unequal that the public would stay away in droves. The facts are otherwise.

A man of undoubted influence with Rickard some days ago aired the idea of placing an order for $650 worth of tickets in the first 10 rows. He was informed that, by the morest whimsy of the fates he could have two tickets in the tenth row. The next would be back in the thirty-first.

Eighty Thousand is Capacity

Lincoln was quite right. You may not be able to fool all of the people all of the time, merely about 80,000 of them. We mention this figure because it represents the estimated capacity of the Polo Grounds on the night of the Dempsey-Firpo bout. Once a customer, always a customer.

The customer figures and not with out justification, that a man of Firpo’s size and hitting ability always has a chance. He, the customer, wants to be there to see him, the challenger, make the most of it. Anyway it would be too good to miss.

That’s What Dempsey Wants to Know.

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Jack Sure Foe Can Sock

White Sulphur Springs, N. Y., Aug. 24.-A kindly disposed individual drifted into Jack Dempsey’s training camp today to give the champion some first hand information.

“Say, this Firpo baby ain’t no soft thing, let me tell you that,” he said.

“And that bird can sock, too,” added the informant.

“That is another bit of information which I have acquired prior to your coming,” gently commented the champion.

“He’s rough and tough and he’s a whole lot faster than most folks think he is,” said the stranger.

The champion, lifting his moving picture eye brows, forgot all about his polished grammar, and burst forth thus:

“But can he take it-can he take it? You ain’t said anything about that. And that’s the most important thing there is in the cute little game where men try to bust each other into twilight sleep. I never care about how hard guys can hit, how fast they are and stuff like that. That’s not the test of a great fighter.

“Can he take it, that’s what interests me and that’s the only thing that interests me. Jess Willard could sock but he couldn’t take it. That’s why I whipped him. Bill Brennan could sock but he couldn’t take it and I whipped him. Carpentier had a pretty good socker. But he couldn’t take it, and don’t let anybody tell you that Fred Fulton couldn’t sock. But he couldn’t take it.

“I’m not making any predictions about this Firpo fight. Not just now. But let me tell you this. If Luis can’t take ’em, and take ’em a lot, Luis will never take any world’s championship back to Argentine, no matter how hard he can sock.”

Declares That When Experts Begin to Admit That He Is Good He Will Get Worried–Cries of Hostile Fans Not to Affect His Fight.

Atlantic City, N. J., Sept. 4.—(Special.)—I know that when I get into the ring to fight Jack Dempsey for the championship of the world I will be surrounded by a crowd shouting for my defeat. As I go through the crowd from my dressing room to the ring men will stand on their chairs and shout evil things at me. They will wave their fists their chairs and shout their heads off and call me bad names and tell me that Dempsey will do terrible things to me. I will not know what the words are, but one does not need to know a language to know the meaning when a man scowls and shouts and shakes his fist.

I will smile and wonder to myself if these brave men who wish me ill in so loud a voice would like to come up in the ring with me and call me names? I will wonder if perhaps six or even twelve of them at once would like to come into the ring with me and call me bad names.

I do not think they would do so even if they had the chance. Men who speak insults from the crowd are like those who write bad letters and sign no names. They are cowards, and it is easy to laugh at the things which cowards say, no matter how bad they may be. Some have asked me whether it would discourage me to have the crowd against me. That is a little bit funny, too. It would discourage me, perhaps, if the crowd in a strange country was not against me, because then I would think that I was so little to be feared that I could not make enemies. Some great writer (I cannot remember his name) once said that when the critics in the newspapers no longer took the trouble to say that he was no good, then he would think that he was no longer a great author.

NOT WORRIED.

It is so with me. So long as the boxing critics think it is worth while to print columns about me, saying that I am no good. I am not worried. So long as the cowards and the mean ones in the crowds that come to watch me fight think me enough to be feared to take the trouble to stand on chairs to boo and hiss and scream insults at me, that long I will know that I am dangerous and have a good chance to win.

To prove this I have only to say that it was only after the mean ones in the North American crowds began to think me dangerous that they began to boo and hiss me. The first time this happened was at Jersey City, when I fought Willard. Then, for the first time, I think, some began to think that perhaps after all I might beat Willard and then defeat Dempsey and become champion of the world, and so then, for the first time, the mean ones booed and hissed and screamed insults at me. I would not have the people who read what I say think I mean that most of the people in the North American crowds are not fair. It is only of the few I speak, the few cowards that can be found in all great crowds who scream and hiss, the few like those who shouted insult at poor Criqui, the Frenchman, when he was fighting at his best and having his championship taken from him.

To those who think that I might be discouraged because the crowd is against me, I would say do not bet against me on that account. I do not speak English so the shouts of a hostile crowd here are not so liable to bother me as the cries of an inimical crowd of Spanish people. Many, many times I have fought before Spanish speaking crowds which were almost all against me and when I could understand all that was said. You may know that there is the most great rivalary between Argentine and Chile-one time I fought in Chile before a crowd of 12,000 people and at least 11,500 of them were screaming insults at me from the beginning. I did not pay attention except to feel good that I was a sufficiently dangerous fighter to make all those fear me so much that they screamed bad names at me. It will not be a new thing for me to fight before a crowd which does not wish that I win.

AN AMERICAN.

Perhaps the feeling against me here is more keen than it would be against a European, because I am more nearly their neighbor. Sometimes I think it is forgotten that I am as much an American as you who read this. You are North American. I am South American. For many years now most of the world’s champions have been held by citizens of North America. It is a thought of great pride to me that I am the first fighter from South America to fight for the world’s championship in any class.

If I am so fortunate that I win, I will be proud that the greatest prize to be won by a prize fighter does not leave American hands but goes only from North America to South America. I have had read to me accounts in some newspapers saying that I was having trouble with my left arm.

Some have said that I had neuritis and others that I was bothered with the ‘matism. The truth is that I slightly strained the muscles in my left arm in practicing a new method of using it. It was just a little sore for two days, but is all right again. I have never at any time felt better before a fight. I am in the best of physical condition and I am satisfied that my progress with training is all that I could wish.

For the first time in a generation the Isle of Manhattan to-night will be the scene of a heavyweight championship battle, one in which the world’s title will be at stake, when Jack Dempsey squares off against Luis Angel Firpo in the ring at the Polo Grounds. And, for the first time in the history of modern Queensbury championships, the heavyweight crown is in jeopardy of resting on the brow of other than an American-that is, a North American.

Dempsey and Firpo are fit and ready for the call of the referee to the centre of the arena. The name of the third man will not be announced until the men are ready to step in the ring. This afternoon, at 2 o’clock, Dempsey and Firpo will meet for the first time, when they appear at the office of the Boxing Commission for the official weighing in.

It was announced last night by Promoter Tex Rickard that the Dempsey-Firpo tussle would begin as close to 9:30 o’clock as it is possible for him to get the big boys into the ring, and that the semi-final would take place immediately after Dempsey and Firpo “do their stuff.” Gene Tunney, the American light heavyweight champion, and Leo Gates are scheduled for the twelve-round semi-final.

The weather man promises a clear and cool evening for the big fight. In the event of rain, the championship will be held tomorrow night, or the first clear night following.

The receipts promise to exceed one million and a quarter dollars, and the paid attendance may surpass the record of 74,716, established when Firpo fought Jess Willard at Boyle’s Thirty Acres two months ago.

New York, Sept. 14.-Twenty-one months ago Friday a husky young Argentine of solemn mien walked into the United States consulate and asked Vice Consul Walters to vise a passport bearing the name Luis Angel Firpo. The holder’s occupation was given as “boxeador.”

“What’s the object of your visit to the United States?” asked Walters.

“I’m going up to get a fight with Jack Dempsey,” was the answer.

“You think you can lick him?” queried the vice consul with a smile.

“That’s what I’m going for,” replied Firpo quietly.

“You don’t tell me!” exclaimed Walters, as he entered in his record book the object of Firpo’s visit as “training for boxing.”

On the margin he penciled: “Says he’s going to lick Dempsey-vamos a ver. (We’ll see).”

When Firpo sailed a few days later on his first trip to New York his departure was noted with only brief items in the Argentine newspapers. Today he is a national hero.

The Dempsey-Firpo fight took its place as the sccond greatest financial attraction in the history of the ring when it was announced that 85,800 persons had paid $1,250,000 to see the bout. The Dempsey-Carpentier contest drew $1,600,000.

Dempsey is understood to have received $500,000 as his share of the receipts and Firpo 12 per cent. or $156,250. The bout terminated fifty-seven seconds after the second round started. Dempsey’s end paid him at the rate of $2,109.70 for every second of actual fighting. Firpo was paid at the rate of $659.28 a second.

Ten Knockdowns Feature Savage Fight for Heavyweight Crown

Jack Dempsey is still the champion boxer of the universe, but oh, boy! what a tough time he had in retaining his title against the plunging, rip-tearing Bull of the Pampas, Luis Angel Firpo, at the Polo Grounds last night!

Dempsey turned the trick in the second round with a series of left and right hand smashes to Luis’s jaw.

The first crack in the second round that Jack landed was a left hook to the head, with a right to chin, and Luis went down, but came up in a moment. The champ followed him, ripping left hooks to the head.

Firpo was practically out then, but Jack kept at the job. Down went Firpo in a heap. Firpo was lying on his back unable to respond when the referee had swung the fatal count of ten. It was an awful fight from the first bell. Nothing like it was ever staged in a heavyweight contest.

Start with Rush.

There was no fiddling around. Dempsey tore in right off the reel, hooking lefts to head and righthand smashes to the heart. Suddenly Dempsey rushed in with a left to the stomach and as Luis bent over he chopped a right to the head and Luis went down for the first time. Three more times did Jack smash him to the floor, and as Firpo regained his feet after the fourth knockdown Dempsey stepped in to finish him, throwing caution to the winds.

The South American sneaked through one of his famous rights to Dempsey’s chin, driving him through the ropes into the arms of the scribes at the ringside. The champ worked his way back into the ring, but was in bad shape as he squared off against the maddened scrapper from Argentina.

Both Combatants Groggy.

Firpo tore in, using his arms like flails. Down went Dempsey. But he did not stay there long. Up came the champ and banged Luis to the floor with another shower of lefts and rights to the head. Firpo came up fighting furiously and held his own in a fast exchange. It looked like any man’s fight at that point. Both men were groggy, but Dempsey the stronger. He knocked Firpo down for the sixth time in that round, and as the referee started to count over Firpo Dempsey reeled away to rest against the ropes.

Luis regained his feet and they both whaled away for dear life at the bell. It was apparent that the fight would be short, and, while Firpo had been up and down like an elevator in this inning, he was still strong.

The seconds worked over them desperately in their corners. There hadn’t been any feeling about what the other had. The big fighters put everything they had on each sock.

Luis’s seconds were much excited as they rubbed him during the rest, but Firpo showed no fear when the bell sent them into action for the second round.

Dempsey Didn’t Box.

In the second Dempsey tore into Firpo with the determination to win or blow his title to the stranger from the South. He didn’t try to box his big opponent. On the contrary, he was as careless as Firpo ever was as he tore in, trying with lefts for the stomach.

Several times Jack missed with his left and Luis nailed him with rights to the mouth, and right there it was any man’s fight. Suddenly Jack got the range with a left hook and a right clout to the face and Firpo went to the floor, where he took a short count. Then came the old crusher.

Dempsey stood over Firpo until he regained his feet and then he was after his prey with renewed fury. His seconds, especially Jack Kearns, were after him to hold his guard high, but he didn’t hear them. He had been stung in the first round and had not regained his composure. He just wanted to get at Firpo and he did.

Firpo Couldn’t Get Up.

A well directed shot to the chin with his ponderous right hand, following a left hook to the stomach, did the trick and down went Firpo as if he had been shot.

He lay motionless on the floor until the referee went through the count. At five Firpo’s body twitched and he tried to roll over, but he was helpless. When the fatal ten was tolled the big South American was still down there unable to get up.

When the ten had been sounded and Dempsey was still the champion, Firpo’s seconds together with Dempsey picked up the prostrate Luis and helped him to his corner.

Poor Luis had blown his last chance, but he gave the champ lots to think of. The time of the second round was 57 serends and ended one of the fastest fights since heavyweight histery. Lack of experience cost Luis his chance.

He showed all his wonderful hitting ability and proved beyond any question that he could take a sock and come back.

He didn’t fear Dempsey. He took everything Dempsey had and came back. The fact that he was down six times in that first round didn’t worry him in the least. He was up and after Dempsey like a mad bull after every knock down and traded wallops every time Jack wanted to, and, while tired after the first round, he had given Dempsey plenty to take care of. Dempsey, probably realizing that Luis was lacking experience but at the same time realizing that he had a huge man to deal with, decided on his rushing style to take Firpo.

New York, Sept. 15.-Luis Angel Firpo slept late today.

Following his first nap of last evening in the ring at the Polo Grounds, the defeated South American went to Perona’s restaurant, danced the tango and joined a host of his countrymen in what had been planned as a celebration of victory.

He showed no marks of the battle. Firpo was in good spirits and danced until about 2 a. m.

Jack Dempsey, the champion, declared to-day that he “never had such a fight” in all his life. The defeated challenger, Luis Firpo, said he “wants another crack at Dempsey-in about a year, or so.” Here are their statements:

BY JACK DEMPSEY

Firpo can fight. He’s a dangerous man in the ring. What a right he has! When he knocked me through the ropes I knew something struck me, but wasn’t sure just what. It was the first time I had been knocked down since I became champion. But I gave Firpo all I had. I did a little knocking down myself. I knew I was in a fight-but so did Firpo.

BY LUIS FIRPO

Dempsey Is a great fighter. He hit me plenty. I had my chance, too-when I put him through the ropes. It was anybody’s fight for a while. I am disappointed at not winning, but I think I put up a creditable fight, and I want another chance at Dempsey—inside of a year.

BY REFEREE J. GALLAGHER

It was a thriller while it lasted. Dempsey showed that he is a real champion by taking the blows he did, and then came back and put the big fellow away as neatly as he did. That boy Firpo can sock, and he can take it, too.

Knows He Was Fouled, But Only Wants Another Chance.

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A REAL SPORTSMAN

NEW YORK, Sept. 20.—The decision of the referee is sufficient for Luis Angel Firpo, and despite the protests of his friends and many spectators of his fight with Jack Dempsey that he was unfairly treated and fouled, he asks nothing more than another match with the world’s champion.

The true sportsmanship of the Argentine fighter is shown in a statement given by him to the Associated Press, in which he first defends his chief second Horatio Lavelle, indirectly accused of incompetency by William Muldoon, chairman of the state boxing commission, and ends by simply asking another battle with his conqueror when he has rested and his arm has healed.

LOST ON FOULS.

Dempsey was declared by thousands of spectators not only to have struck Firpo viciously after the call of time, and to have disregarded the referee’s instructions as to retreating to a neutral corner during a knockout count, but technically to have lost the fight on a foul when he was assisted back to the ring by reporters, after having been knocked through the ropes by Firpo in the first round.

Referee Gallagher is also declared to have neglected starting a count until Dempsey had been returned to the ring.

Chairman Muldoon said after the fight that had Firpo’s seconds claimed a foul when Dempsey was pushed back into the ring, the state boxing commission would have recognized the claim and declared Firpo the winner. No such claim was made.

Firpo has been urged by his South American admirers and many others to protest against the decision of Referee Gallagher. His statement follows:

ONE FOR MULDOON.

“There has been enough discussion of the fouls in my match with Jack Dempsey. The charges against Horatio Lavelle are unjust because Mr. Muldoon, chairman of the New York Boxing Commission, assured us that justice would be done for me.

“I have read what Mr. Muldoon has said on the subject of fouls, and I appreciate it. I have also read many references by sporting writers to the same matter. But notwithstanding this, I want to make one thing perfectly clear:

“I accept the decision and all I want is another match with Dempsey as soon as my arm is all right and I have had sufficient rest.”