Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-07-10

lost heavily. They re-sold their tickets
at anything from IS to SIS under gate
prices No betting was reported at the
ringside. nor was there much elsewhere
so far could be ascertained.
THERMOMETER AT 10
The heat of the day was terrific, in
tensifed as 1t was by the vast acreage
of green lumber. During the prelim-
mary bouts. which lasted from II o'clock
until 2;3Q, thermometer exposed a.
were the spectators and fighters Jumped
to 100 degrees, which was the limit Of
what the instrument could record. II
showed 10 degrees when Willard and
Dempsey entered the ring
When Dempsey was proclaimed winner
the crowd surged onto the mat in Q
wild scramble TO shake the hand Of the
new champion. At times some Of them
toppled over on to the telegraphers and
reporters just below who were strug-
Cling in the mad disorder to report what
had happened. Police eventually die.
persed them by hustlng Dempsey away.
Willard was taken to all automobile and
disappeared from view of the crowd which
then itself began the task of covering
the four miles from the arena to the
city as best they could, by street car,
automobile or on foot.
NO HIGH CLASS BOXING
While the passing Of the heavy weight
championship was one Of the most
dramatic events Of modern ring history,
it was lacking entirely in high class box.
ing. With the exception of the first
three snappy left jabs with which Will
lard opened the contest the combat w~s
simply a series Of terrific drives an6
smashes. virtually all of which were de.
livered by Dempsey.
THE PUNCH THAT COUNTED
The first Of these crashing swings to
land Wizards jaw and body APP
peared to completely daze and take away
from the title holder all power to either
protect himself or fight back as had
been expected by his admirers. Whether
he could have stood up better under the
battering of Dempsey a few years ago
always will be mooted question In the
years to come when to-days battle Is
discussed. It cannot be denied, how
ever that Willard was in good physical
, condition and displayed gameness up to
the moment that his seconds persuaded
him to relinqush the championship to
Dempsey.
This was demonstrated by the fact that
the Kansas giant received In nine min
utes - fighting far more punishment than
did Jeffries at the hands of Jack John
son in their 15-round bout at Reno and
yet was able to respond to the bell had
his seconds been caloused enough to
send him again to the slaughter. Even
after the disastrous ending Of tho first
round Willard flashed a momentary come
back in the second, which for few Sec
onds led to the belief among his sup
porters that he would weather the storm
and carry the battle along on even terms
for few sessions at least. 1t was the
last flicker OF a spirit which was stronger
than the flesh. Another sweeping right
arm smash that flew over Willard's
shoulder and landed flush on his swol-
len, bleeding jaw. took the last ounce
Of resistance out Of the giant and made
his downfall a matter OF but minutes.
An analysis Of the newly crowned
champion shows nothing new in his
fighting methods. He tore into his OPP
ponent at top speed as always has been
his fighting custom and simply battered
his way to the pinnacle Of pusillsm by
the speed of his blows and the over
whelming power that travelled from the
huge shoulder muscles down through the
Drawn arms and into the clinched hsts
made little or no attempt at defensive
work and not more than Ave or six times
, during the nine minutes Of battling did
he resort to footwork to avoid willard.
Once the new canvass was stretched
there was little delay in bringing the
principals into the ring. Dempsey APP
peared at 355 O'Clock and willard q
minute later. They were stripped ready
for action. Willard wearing short tight
fitting blue worsted trunks with an
American flag belt, while Dempsey wore
short, loose trunks like those Of q
Splinter. During the few preliminary
details both We're covered with huge
umbrellas to keep the sun from their
uncovered heads.
AT nine minutes after four the weak
gong, which later caused so much con-
fusion, changed and the battle was on,
-