Evening journal., 1918-11-11
DEMPSEY'S CLAIM
AS A REAL FIGHTER
Victory Over Battling g
Levinsky Puts Him in
Leading Class
HOW TO STRAFE
MR.. JESS WILLARD

Ever since Jack Dempsey loomed as 1
formidable contender for the heavy
weight championship there has rageC
controversy as 20 his nationality. Ap-
parcntly an attempt was made 30 prove
that his status as a fighter depended on
his origin, and even after he declared
he was OF Irish descent and his family
name Dempsey the discussion con-
tinued,
II now is quite evident that II makes
no special difference what his nation
slity is, as he has demonstrated that he
Is a fighter OF the first rank. The man
ner in which he disposed Of Battling
Levinsky, a clever ringster who had
met nearly every heavyweight in the
country and always with honor TO
himself, indicates clearly that Dempsey
is head and shoulders above all the
members Of the class the world over.
Although the opinion was held by
some that Dempsey's victory over Full
ton was not on It's merits and that his
defeat OF Carl Morris was a cOllusve
affair, the summary conquest Of Levin
sky must be accepted as evidence that
Dempsey has won all his bouts strictly
through his superiority as a fighter.
The suddcnness with which Dempsey
has toppled rugged heavies like Full
ton. Morris, Brennan and Levinsky not
only accounts for the cOyness OF VIII
lard In making a match but also
strengthens the belief that Dempsey Is
the greatest heavyweight developed
since the days Of Fltzsimmons. He hits
with the same catapultlc force that
marked Fitzsimmons' attack; he has
greater speed than the COrnishman and
he Is a better boxer than the former
champion.
There now stand between Dempsey
and a match with Willard two men
William Meehan OF san Francisco and
Billy Miske Of ST. Paul. Meehan holds
a four round decision over Dempsey
but there Is hardly a doubt that the salt
Lake boy would prevail over the TAT
fighter In a longer bout. Meehan Is
rolypoly chap, with lots OF stamina and
capacity for punishment, but with little
boxing science and he IS a light hitter
Such a man Is diflcult TO stop, and
dempsey would doubtless require ten
or twelve rounds in which TO dispose
OF Meehan.
So far as Mlske Is concerned, there
Is much question as TO whether the
MInnesotan will ever again get into the
ring with Dempsey. They met IN ~,
paul a few months ago in a ten round
bout and Miske remained the limit
which result Is declared TO be due to
the fact that he refused to sign articles
unless he was guaranteed against
knockout.
Nliske is on record with refusal to
meet Dempsey in a bout in Madison
Square Garden, and unless he since mas
his mind he will not regard l
himself as a serious obstacle TO the
aspirations Of Dempsey !
Therefore it beho0ves Dempsey TO
make all haste to get Meehan into the
ring for a long bout, after which the
salt Lake walloper can insist on VII
lard fighting or retiring.
The disinclination of Willard to box
on his merits for war funds has aroused |
much public opposition to the cham
pion. aud the question Of Furnishing the
Kansan is being discussed. One sug-
restion IS to the effect that the cham
plon be ostracised and that the next
best man be declared the title holder.
Such a project could not be carried out,
and therefore would be a waste Of
effort.
The only punishment that could be
inflicted on Willard would be to de-
prlve him Of the title which he has
used for commercial purposes only. He
cannot be shorn OF the championship
except through the action Of an au-
thorltative boxing association, and
here Is no such organization.
II the boxers. managers and prOmOt-
srs OF America were represented in a