The sun., 1919-05-06
TOLEDO CHOSEN
BATTLE GROUND
FOR BIG FIGHT
Richard Announces Site for
heavyweight Title Bout
on July 4.
TWELVE ROUNDS LIMIT
Referees Decision May Shift
Laurels; City Is Well
Located.
TWELVE ROUNDS LIMIT

Toledo. ONO, mas Decn seleCted as the
battle ground where the ring will be
pitched for the heavyweight champion
,hp bout between jess Willard and Jack
Dempsey on July L. Announcement to
that effect was made last night by Tex
Richard. who has bound himself to pay
100, 900 to the champion and $27,500 to
Dempsey for their services on that oc-
casion.
Richard said he had received q per-
nit from the Boxing Commission OF To-
lsdo TO stage the contest there, and that
be would erect a stadium In Bay View
Park property owned by the city, which
would enable between 10000 and 80. 900
persons to witness the bout.
Under thu rules Of the Boxing Com
mission, Willard and Dempsey will box
tvave rounds TO a referees decision.
Christopher Wall. Toledo Director of
Public Safety and chairman of the Box
ing Commission, OF which Mayor Schrei-
DO, is a member, issued the permit to
Richard. Bay View Park is q fine
stretch OF level ground, and is only nf-
teen minutes walk from the heart Of the
eU.
Law Permits Bout.
When Richard was asked II he had as
surances from the officials Of the State
hat there would be no interference. he
replied, .-
mo. I neither asked nor expected
assurances from any State official that
ne bout would not be interfered with,
and am in a position to say that such
action was not required. had my
attorneys investigate the law in Ohio,
and they assure me there Is no ground on
which the state officials could take &C
ton against the contest
eANNOrlinU 80 wv a q
torneys, after an exhaustive examina-
ton Of the law OF the State, a bout in
which purse was offered to the con-
tstants, TO be divided on the basis of a
winners and losers share. would be a
rrre fight and IN violation OF the law.
But a boxing contest between two men
who merely are paid for their services
does not violate the law. Willard and
Dempsey are not to box for a purse. I
an 10 pay each man a stated sum for
his services in the ring. and thus there
will he no violation OF the law.
This whole question was thoroughly
hrashed out on the occasion of the
bout between Johnny Kilbane and
George CLANCY for the featherwieght
championship at Cedar Point, Ohio, on
September 4. 1915. Matt Hinlsel was the
promoter and referee. He paid the box
ep for their services. While the At
torrey-General OF the State investi-
rated, he took no action, as ne found
that the boys were not lighting for a
prize
There have been several court de.
csIons in the state unfolding the right
Of boxers to give their services in tho
ring FOR a stated compensation. and
therefore, I do not expect any such ac-
ton on tho part OF the state suthori-
ties"
Looks for Opposition.
Richard was asked II he did not think
the prominence of the boxers, and the
fact that 1t was 20 be for the heavy
weight championship, would arouse gem
eral opposition by those who do not
.ayor boxing under any conditions.
u presume So" said Rickacd. NO
doubt the same element that tried to
deprive New York OF Sunday baseball
and succeeded In preventing the passage
Q: the boxing bills will make itself felt
and heard. But II seems 10 me II Is
hlSh time this \obstructionist element
that tries to stop every rational amuse-
nent that is desired by the people,
should be squelched. Boxing has been
approved by the highest officials in the
srmy and navy, and by scores of civil
Hans in professional and official life.
. lueEh 10 not siHEle Nallu OpJeC-
Ton 10 the sport. and those who oppose
Il 10 SO through misinforniation as TO
tire real character OF a contest in the
ring. Therefore. I say it is time to
81. OF these so-called reforrners who
have made a nuisance Of themselves"
Among tho interesting features of the
Willard Dempsey AFFAIR will be the
paying OF the principals in Liberty
bonds, and the delivery by the pro-
moter of per cent. of the gross re-
oeipts 70 be devoted to charities named
b. ths mayor OF the city.
The admission charges to the contest
will range from IS to $50, according
10 location. and the boxers will train
al the scene OF the contest for at least
Eve weeks prior to July I.
A site Well Chosen.
II would be a difficult matter to Sc
lect q site for the bout that would equal
Toledo in the matter OF geographical
convenience. The city, which has about
100000 population. is situated on the
Maumee River, about four miles from
Maumee Bay, Lake Erie. II Is about
an hours ride from Cleveland. an hour
and half from Detroit, and half a day
from Chicago and other big cities of the
Middle West. It Is sixteen hours from
New York, and Is tapped by all the
leading railroads OF tho country.
With tae settlement OF the site for
'Ae bout the boxers now will begin
hard training. The gong for the first
round will sound In seven weeks. and
as Willard IS said to have been doing
considerable posing for moving pictures
II win doubtless be necessary for him to
get down 10 the hard work OF condition