The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-10
DEMPSEY'S CLAIMS
AS A REAL FIGHTER
Victory Over Battling Levin
sky Alone Puts Him in
Leading Class.
AOW TO STRAFE WILLARD
Need of National Boxing Body
Apparent-Ring News
and Gossip.
aoW TO STRAFE WILLARD
ny CROSS COUNTER.

by thOsS SOONEEA.
Ever since Jack Dempsey doomed az a
formidable contender for the heavy
weight championship there has ragcd
a controversy as to his nationality. APP
parently an attempt was made to provo
that his status as fighter depended on
mis- origin, and even after he declared he
was OF Irish descent and his family
name Dempsey the discussion continued.
II now is quite evident that it makes
nc special difference what his nationality
Is. as he has demonstrated that he Is a
fighter OF the first rank. The manner In
which he disposed of Battling Levinsky.
o clever ringstor 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 tho opinion was held by
some that Dempsey's victory over Fulton
was not on Its merits and that his de-
feat OF Carl Norris was collusive
affair the summary conquest OF Levinsky
must be accepted as evidence tina:
Dempsey has won all his bouts strictly
through his superiority as a fighter.
The suddenneGs with which Dempsey
has toppled rugged heavies like Fulton.
Morris. Brennan and Levinsky not only
accounts for the coyness OF Willard In
making a match but also strengthens the
belief that, Dempsey Is the greatest
heavyweight developed since the days Of
Fitzsimmons. He hits with the same
catapultlc force that marked Fitzsim-
mons's attack. he has greater speed
than the Cornishman and he is a better
boxer than the former champion.
Meehan should He Next.
There now stand between Dempsey
and n match with Willard two men
William Meehan OF San Francisco and
Billy Miske of st. Paul Meehan holds
a four round decision over Dempsey, bu'
there is hardly a doubt that the Salt
lake boy would prevail over the Fat
Fighter in longer bout. Meehan Is d
rplypoly chap, with lots OF stamina and
capacity for punishment, but with little
boxing science and he is R light hitter.
Such a man is difficult to stop, and
Dempsey would doubtless require ten OF
twelve rounds in which to dispose OF
Aeohan.
So far as Miske is concerned. there
IS much question as to whether the
HTinnesotan will ever again get into the
ring with Dempsey. They met in st
Paul a few months ago in a ten round
bout and Miske remained the limit
which result IS declared 10 be due 10 the
fact shat he refused to Sign articles I'M
less he was guaranteed against knock
out
Miske Is on record with a refusal to
meet Dempsey in a bout in Madison
Square Garden, md unless he since has
changed his mird he will not regar(
himself as serious obstacle to the
Championship aspirations OF Dempsey.
Therefore IL behooves Dempsey TO make
ell haste to get Meehan into the rina
FOR a long bout. after which the Sal
Lake walloDer can insist on Willard
fighting or retiring.
Punishment for willard.
The Discrimination of Willard to bo,
or his merits for war funds has aroused
much public opposition to the champion
and the question of Furnishing the Kan
san is being discussed. One suggestion
IS to the effect that the champion b.
ostracised and that the next best maj
be declared the title holder. Such
project could not be carried out, an,
therefore would he waste of effort.
The only punishment that could b
inflicted on Willard would be to de
prive him of the title which he ma
used for commercial purposes only. II
cannot be shorn of the championship eX
ccpt through the action of an authori
tst.ve boxing association, and there is II
such organization.
Il the boxers, managers and promot
ers of America were represented in
nat ona1 organization, after the manne
OF baseball, racing and other profes
s.oral sports. II would be an easy mat
Ter to discipline Willard or any othe
champion who had no interest in hi
title save the financial returns and no
toriety
With a national boxing association {
enforce n rule that all champions mus
defend their titles every six months oil
refusing TO accept bona fide challenge
forfeit TO a challenger. Willard could b
easily punished.
The enforcement of such n rule In tn
case Of Willard or other title holders c
his ilk would make impossible repet
ton of his tactics. Until the boxin
fraternity organizes Willard will calml
pose as the heavyweight champion, an
having the hide of a rhinoeeros wi
, merely smile at the shafts OF crlticisi
aimed at him.