The sun., 1919-07-05

Willard was not there-thats all there
was to It He could not come back
after three years out of the ring and
a four year layofr since he won the title
from Jack johnson. But even his
stanchest friends Of yesterday tonight
admit that they are mortified over his
having retired In so ignominious way
III only he had been counted out on
the canvas" they walled. Poor Jim
Jeffries, a mere shell OF a man. took
his beating for fourteen rounds and was
counted out on the ring floor. He could
not come back, but in defeat he took
the respect OF the onlookers from the
ring and retained his self-respect.
The crowd was estimated at 50. 900 and
hardly came up to expectations. Some
there were who said that there were
not more than $4,000. but they perhaps
lost sight OF the fact that there were
about $4,000 seats In that octagOnal
arena.
The biggest disappointment was the
small turnout for the $40 seats. The
crowd declined to stand In line in the
hot sun and pay its tens into the Rick
ard Golfers, and tonight those who de-
, clined appeared indicated. Men who
came all the way from New York and
San Francisco were calling themselves
names and saying never again" But
the very next big fight will see them
make that same old tiresome, long
trip.
But the next heavy weight battle will
have Dempsey as the defender and
| there will be no towel throwing act on
the bill That is. unless we miss our
guess on Dempsey.
Rush to Higher Priced Seats.
Mighty few OF those who went into the
ten dollar section were still there when
| the fight ended Along about the middle
of the first round. after Willard had
been downed, the bleacherites made a
mad descent toward the higher priced
seats The guardians OF the peace made
no effort TO stop the stampede. They
I thought the fight was over. anyway, and
there was no use starting rumpus for
nothing
| The doings were started about noon
with a series OF prelims that failed TO
develop any startling boxing. Arplane
stunts and bayonet drill by Major Bid
dies marines from Philadelphia re-
cruiting bound. helped while away the
time until the principals showed up
/ Dempsey was first in the ring, at 80.
| The challenger was arrayed in what
popularity is known as a badger haircut
white trunks, and red, white and blue
belt Bill Tate. the negro sparTing part
ner, held great blue and brown UNI
brella over Jack. Jack sat like ar
African potentate holding court. but the
potentate had a worried look.
While nearly everybody was bowling
20 Dempsey and giving him a welcome
Willard slipped into the ring almost I'M
noticed. Willard came over to examine
Dempsey's bandages and say howdy
w. A Gavin apd Adam Empie OF the
Army, Navy and Civilian Board of Box
ing Control brought into the ring g
framed. picture OF the championship belt
that organization had put up for thu
fEht Gavin asked both Dempsey ant
willard II they would accept the bell
and abide by the conditions II they wor
It, and both giving their acceptance'
that stage of the proceedings was ovel
| with.
Willard, too, had his huge. brown UNI
brella TO shade him from the sun. A
Thermometer at the ringside showed III
degrees, and II was hotter than in 8
steel rolling mill Willard did not sea-
himself In his corner. He leaned care
less like against the ropes and gave thu
crowd a general going over. Perhaps
Jess was counting the house and calling
himself names for having declined Rick
ards offer OF a partnership In the ven
ture. Perhaps not. who knows?
The gloves were brought into the ring
and what neat things they were-deei
rose color, with baby blue ribbons 10 III
them with How times do change BABY
blue ribbons forsooth
A Formal Handshake.
with gloves adjupted and baby blu,
ribbon carefully tied the boxers came q
| tho ring centre to have their plcture
, lfakax- NaithaR lookad tina other An IN,