The sun., 1919-02-06
RICHARD TO BUILD
HUGE SPORTING CLUB
Plans Greater Madison Square
Garden for Fights and
Other Events.
by GEORGE p. UNDERWOOD.

Regardless of the willard Dempsey
contest, or where II will take place, Tex
Richard will erect large arena here In
New York exclusively for sporting en-
tertalnments provided the Gibbs boxing
bill now before the Legislature becomes
law. He plans a greater and larger
Madison Square Garden.
Despite the extra labors thrust upon
him In the promotion OF the big fight
Tex still nnds a little time to inspect
various sites for the proposed building.
This would not be necessary were II
not for the expiration Of the option he
held on land at l30th street and Hud-
son River. wherein he originally had
planned to locate his big sporting enter
prise.
Richard gave out this Information al
the Biltmore yesterday in between poses
for the moving picture men. who wish
to fash upon the screen throughout the
country the likeness OF the man who
has offered the biggest purse In boxing
history.
Shortly after the willard-Moran night
in Madison Square Garden Richard or
ganized O company for the purpose OF
erecting a big arena here and prornot-
ing sporting enterprises. Just when
the project was we'll advanced and an
option had been obtained on the 1s0th
street plot the Pollok-Wenck contro-
versy took place, which resulted In the
repeal OF the Frawley law.
Upset His Plans.
The repeal OF the Frawley law" says
Richard. Temporarily upset my plans
Inasmuch as all Of us considered boxing
as the most remunerative sport and tho
ealy
Workers. We could not very well go ahead
with the proposition. Now that 1t looks
as II boxing is going to be restored In
New York our plan once again becomes
feasible. II boxing again Is made legal
hero we will erect a spacious amphi-
theatre which will seat about 20.ooO per-
sons and in which We VIII promote
sporting attractions Of all kinds
The building will be suitable for auto
mobile shows, six day bike races. athletic
meets and other attractions In addition
to boxing. The amphitheatre. however.
primarily will be erected to suit the
needs OF boxing My associates and !
believe the ring game Is eventuaiiy
destined to become Americas national
pastlme. A vast amount Of added inter.
est has been created through army par
tic!patlon in sport.
"On account Of the expiration OF my
option on the piece OF land at 15oth
street and Hudson River we must lool'
elsewhere for site. We also had ir
view the plot OF land near the PennsyI-
vania station. hut on account OF failure
to get permission TO erect bridge across
the tracks we cannot consider II We
! hope to md site very shortly, how
ever"
| When asked whether ne was planning
| to hold the willard Dempsey night in the
proposed structure should the Legislature
pass the Gibbs night bill. Richard said:
Not for Big Fisht.
no. am not In the arst place. II 4
7 10 possible. we want Willard anc
Dempsey to NEE. in a bout OF at least
twenty rounds duration, which will moi
be possible under the Gibbs bill unles:
amended Then even II We were forced
70 come here to New York the type Of
building we are planning could not be
completed by July. II by any chance
the willard Dempsey bout Is held In New
York II will have TO be in temporary
structure erected especially for IT."
I Richard, however does not deny thai
: the big July fight may have to be a.
, eight. ten or fifteen round bout without
a referees decision. He says he knows
( that it Is the public's wish that Willard
I defend his title in a bout that would give
/ Dempsey clear chance for the cham
plonship, and that all things considered
bigger gate would result IN such
match. Where such a bout can be staged
! Is problematical.
Here Is what I'm UP against" de-
clares Tex. There are at present, as
understand IL only three States in wh!cf
bouts OF twenty rounds are permitted
| Louisiana. Colorado and Connecticut
Boxing is run on n local option pan IL
| the last named state.
| There Is a new fight bill pending II
, Illinois and another one In Oklohoma
| one just has been introduced in Mis-
souri,. Washington State and Texas sooI
will have fight measures Introduced !r
/ their legislatures. Pennsylvania iesir-
| lators now are considering . new bill
which permits hfteen round bouts insteat
of six as at present. Ohio Massachu
sets, wisconsin and Michigan may
make changes In their boxing laws
within the EXT Month several Other
| States may legalize boxing. The game
Is increasing in favor in leaps anc
! bounds. TIL get better grasp on tn,
whole boxing situation | can make no
| decision on where Willard Will defenc
| his title against Dempsey. I have re
| ceveA scores OF proposals. and In re-
gard 20 az least half a dozen OF their
! | truly can say one looks just as good a:
! the other. The only thing Tor me to dc
( is to sit tight and await Developments,
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