The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-03

round. In the pari mutuel betting the
heaviest play is being made on the
seventh and eighth rounds, while
Dempsey is almost two to one favor
ite. according to the number Of tick
cts sold. on the result should the bout
go the full twelve rounds.
The champion probably will enter
the ring about 10 to favorite, the
probable odds of today.
Dempsey's popularity had forced
many even money bets. Yesterday
two wagers of considerable size were
placed on him. They came from men
who knew him and are confident he
will win because they cannot feel any
other way.
Both Fighters in Trim.
Both fighters were in superb con-
dition. DR.. Joseph ]. Sweeney, offii-
cial physician of the Toledo Athletic
club, has examined them. Willard, he
declared a few days ago, surpassed any
physical specimen he had ever gazed
upon. Yesterday he looked at Demp-
sey and threw up his hands His
condition is even better, he declared
Great care is being taken by Jack
Kearns, manager of the challenger.
and by Willard himself that nothing
shall interfere with chances Of the
two fighters. Kearns yesterday deliv-
cred himself of a long Grafton re-
garding the rabbit punch" during
meeting of the Toledo Athletic club,
but his efforts to have it barred were
fruitless. Rules of the Toledo Ath-
letic club will be followed. These du-
plicate the Marquis of Queensbury
rules, with the exception of the fact
that clean breaks are provided for.
The referee, Ollie Pecord, will give
the word to break. Failure to do SO
is punishable by disqualification, as is
punching in the break.
A Favorite of Wizards.
Willard has used this blow with con-
siderable effect during his training
days. He has smashed his sparring
partners on the back of the neck with
consistency. Inasmuch as it is not
looked on with favor. however, Will
lard probably will not use it on
Dempsey.
Crowds thronged the city today.
They stormed the hotels last night
and filled them. Today they began
to swarm into the private homes OF
the town. Thousands were arriving.
The city rose manfully to meet them.
Every train arriving in Toledo is
unloading its scores and hundreds Of
boxing fans and hundreds are making
the trip here in motor cars. Once
they arrive a small percentage of
them go directly to hotels and claim
rooms for which they made reserva-
lions month ago, ana winch they
are privileged to occupy at the rate
of IS a bed with two to ten beds in
a room. The others walk around the
streets in frenzied search for accom-
modations which are not to be found.
Every hotel, every roorning house,
bath house and similar establishments
are sold out for tonight. Thousands
of visitors who will be unable to OBJ
tain hotel ommodations will sleep
on cots in several buildings which
have been turned into huge dormi-
tories. The minimum charge for a cot
in vacant building is SIS. Hundreds
of motor parties brought tents with
them and pitched them along the
roads on the outskirts of the city.
Hundreds of others plan to spend to-
night in Cleveland, Detroit, Column
bus and other cities within radius of
ore hundred miles and make the trip
to Toledo early tomorrow.
There probably is more confusion,
more noise and more arguments in
Toledo today than in any other place
in the world. Hotel Hobbies are
crowded with individuals demonstrate
ing favorite punch OF either Willard
or Dempsey or debating whether
Wizards now famous rabbit punch"
will be allowed.