The Washington herald., 1918-03-04
JACK DEMPSEY
COMING CHAMP
Salt Lake Battler Is Real
Opponent for Either Ful
ton or Willard.

Jack Dempsey's ring career looks
as though he could make things un-
pleasant for either Fred Fulton or
Willard II they should be brought
together. He has participated in
Sc ring battles and has to his credit
nine one-round knockouts. Fulton
now seems inclined to ignore Demp-
sey's claim for a meeting before he
tackles Willard. Whether the pub
lie will stand for such a deal re-
mains to be seen.
This young One-rounder was born
in West Virginia of American par
ents. While he was but a boy his
father moved to Colorado. where
he spent his time working in a
mine while Fulton was plastering
in Minnesota. He began his pugi-
listic career in Salt Lake, taking
part in local sporting club events.
One day he decided that Broad
way needed him and he packed his
suitcase and headed for New York.
When he arrived there he fell into
the hands of managers and promot-
ers who were glad to handle a
promising man like the Westerner.
He took part in a couple of small
shows but failed to produce and
soon left-wiser but not richer.
Back in Salt Lake again he re-
ceived a hearty welcome. His New
York experience gave the promoters
and fans confidence in him and he
was booked for a battle with Jim
Flynn. already considered an old
timer" The Pueblo fireman laid
Dempsey out in one round.
Then came the usual retirement"
which follows every boxers first
Knockout. He declared he would
never participate in another ring en-
gagement Jack Kearns then picked
the boy up and took him to San
Francisco. On the West coast four
round boats were in order at that
time. This suited Dempsey. lie had
not yet recovered from the shock
that Jim Flynn handed him. His
first opponent was Willie Meehan,
who will battle with Fred Fulton in
Denver tomorrow night. In the short
space OF, four rounds Dempsey handed
Meehan a sound wallopinE. Then fol-
lowed a series of victories in San
Francisco. When his fame began to
spread Racine, Wis. sent in an 5 o S
for Dempsey to fight there. kearns
brought him to Racine and he admin
istered a Knockout to Homer Smith
i'm the first round.
After Smith came Carl Morris In
Buffalo. Morris as usual was not TAX
ing kindly to the knockout tactics
he was forced to face and started
fOuling after the first round. Dempsey
then asked the referee to refrain
from protesting and proceeded to take
his revenge. In the sixth round Nor
ris seconds threw in the sponge to
save him from a Knockout.
The showing made by Dempsey
against Morris was much better than
the siX-rOund mess that Fulton made
of the affair in Canton, Ohio. when
he met the big lrish-Indan.
Dempsey then staged a comeback
with Jimy Flynn, knocking him out
in the first round.
This is the record upon which he
bases his claim for a bout with the
Rochester plasterer before that slug
ger meets Jess Willard.
Some OF Jack Dempsey's most i'm
pOrtant fights follow: Jim Flynn,
Salt Lake City, Dempsey knocked
out in the first round: Willie Meehan,
San Francisco, Dempsey won. four
rounds; Al Norton, San Francisco,
Dempsey won, first round, knockout;
Charles MOller, San Francisco. Demp-
sey won, first round, knockout; Bob
McAllister, San Francisco. Dempsey
won, four rounds; Gunboat Smith,
San Francisco. Dempsey won, four
rounds; Carl Morris, San Francisco,
Dempsey won. four rounds; Homer
Smith, Racine. Dempsey won. first
round, knockout: Carl Morris, Buffalo,
Dempsey won. six rounds; Jim Flynn,
Salt Lake City, Dempsey won. first
round. knockout, and Bill Brennan.
Milwaukee, Dempsey won, six rounds.