The Washington times., 1919-02-06
DEMPSEY MAY SKATER LONG RECORD
BY RULING FAVORITE OVER WILLARD
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

If Jack Dempsey rules a favorite
IN the betting when he enters the
ring with Jess Willard to battle for
the worlds heavyweight champion
ship next July, it will be the first
time in thfrty-seven years that
challenger has carried the long
odds into his attempt to upset the
titleholder. John L. Sullivan was
10 to 2 favorite over Paddy Ryan
in February, 1882. Not since then
has a challenger been favored by
the wagering fraternity.
Through all the long hisicTy of The
ring since Sullivan won the Ameri-
{ can championship February Z, 1882,
at Mississippi City. the titIeholder has
ruled a favorite with but one cx-
ception. Tommy Burns, generally,
rated as too small for Jack Johnson,
was backed by his admirers at only
even money.
Jeffries On Long End.
Though he had been in retirement
for six years, Jim Jeffries was IA
vored TO win from Jack johnson at
Reno in 1910. In all his ring battles
as a champion Jeffries was the fa-
vcrite. just as Bob Fitzsimmoas was
a 2-to-1 favorite when he lost his
crown to the California giant.
Jim Corbctt was a lO-to-T ia
vorite over Fitzsimmons at Carson
City.
Although many wise followers or
the ring were well aware that John
l. Sullivan had done little or no real
training for his contest with Cor
belt at New Orleans, nevertheless, so
great was his popularity and The
faith OF the multitude in his irwin
cibility that he ruled a 5toI ia
vorite over the hitherto unknown CAL
ifornian. Thus, from beginning to
end Sullivan was always favori.e in
his bouts.
Why Jack Is Favored.
Jack Dempsey is favored in the
East for two reasons. In the first
place, he has met all rivals and de-
Ieated them, generally with knock
outs. Secondly, he seems thoroughly
confident Of his ability 70 win with
knockout. If he continues to retain
his expressed confidence, and if he
actually bets his own money on a
knockout victory, it is quite possible
that he will be a big favorite over
Willard on July 4.
Those who bank. on Willard base
their hopes on his greater bulk and
reach. They reason that Jack John
son, with all his cleyerness, could not
dispose OF Willard. who grew better
as the bout progressed. They think
that the comparatively inexperienced
Dempsey will go down before VIII
Iard's long left hand. wearing himself
out trying to land the sleep punch on
the giants jaw.
Kane Picks Dempsey.
When he was last in Washington.
Eddie Kane. manager Of the Gibbons
bovs and Billy WhaIen, himself a
sFrevyd judge Of boxers, said to me:
"If Dempsey ever gets willard into
me ring with him. beg. borrow or
steal the money and make yourself
fortune, for Dempsey'lI knock him
dead inside Of six rounds. It's a
cinch."
Considering his marvellous bulk.
WiIIard's knockout record Is pitiful.
ne took twenty-six rounds TO put the
.red johnson away. Boer RodeI, a
arbitrator, lasted nine rounds. Bull
Young went eleven. and Soldier
+y.arns eight before sUccumbinE.
Admirers Of the late "Steve" Ketchel
rccs1l accurately how close he came
>. winning the title from Jack John
sor though outweight by nearly forty
,ouDds. They claim Dempsey to be n
IF1-.- Ketchel. and believe he will
LIZ from the ring on July the new
I,e4yvweight champion Of the world.