The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-05
record, Not Hearing Gong,
Counted willard Out in First.
Question Which Round Demp-
sey Won in Disputed.
FIRST CHAMPION TO QUIT COLD
Willard in Bed Today With
Head in Ice Packs.
Dempsey Popular HerO-Will
Not Re-Enter Ring Now.


crowned in Jack Dempsey. and the
exodus of fight fans has depopulated
Toledo hotels. controversy still RACES
over the sensational defeat of Jess
Willard here yesterday. So many un-
usual angles developed during the nine
minutes of terrific fistic bombardment
that scarcely two spectators saw the
scene the same. The uncertainty re-
garding the situation at the end of the
first round when Dempsey left the
ring believing he had won with a
knockout, and the payment Of such
wagers as hinged on when Willard
was stopped furnished unlimited ma
terial for argument.
Pecord Kept on Counting.
So weak was the sound of the gong
and so great the uproar about the ring
that Referee Pecord failed TO near the
bell and continued to count over VIII
lard as he sat on the ring floor near d
neutral corner altho Timekeeper bar
bour ordered the clang when Pecord
arm was falling for the seventh time;
The referee notified Dempsey he mao
won and the Salt Lake CITY pugIiilst
was we'll on his way to his dressing
room before his manager overlook
him and told him he was in danger
OF being disqualified on a technlcaIlty
for leaving the ring.
The question of which round DeInP-
sey won his title was placed DeIoIe
several veteran ring officials by men
who had wagers at stake and the
consensus of opinion was that Denp-
sey stopped willard in the thlru
round, as the latter's seconds tosseo
the towel Of defeat into the center OF
the ring before the bell rang Tor the
beginning of the fourth session.
First to Admit Defeat From Chair.
These same veterans pointed out
several other interesting features
They stated it was the first time
heavyweight champion had ever ad-
mitted defeat without leaving ms
chair, as we'll as the shortest heavy
weight championship combat Of mod
ern ring history.
In other respects the first few hours
after the battle were much the same
as those following the passing OF for
mer titles. Dempsey was soon dressed
and much in evidence about the
downtown section, followed by a wild
~ enthusiastic and cheering throng OF
admirers. When he appeared Tor
dinner at the leading hotel. the cor
rfdors were a mass of swirling specta-
tors who peeked Mt WIZARDS con-
oueror as he broke training and dined
in a manner entirely different from
the simple menus of the past two
months.
At the same hour his dethroned OPP
ponent was resting in his temporary
home in a residential section, with his
battered head packed in ice bags, and
cut off from communication with the
outside world by a guard that even the
telephone could not penetrate. He was
examined by the boxing commission
physician, however. soon after his re-
turn from the ring. The latter stated
officially that Willard was not serious
~
pear in public as soon as his bruises
and other marks Of battle had yielded
to ordinary treatment. These bruises
were mostly superficial. but were i'm
pressive during the fight and caused
CONSERVATION in the ladies' box at the
far edge of the arena where more than
a hundred of the feminine sex were
the special guests OF the promoter and
principals.
Both Staying In Toledo.
Neither boxer had made any defin-
lite plans for leaving the city early to-
day but il is expected Dempsey would
depart within the next forty-eight
hours in order to fulfill a vaudeville
engagement, offered him in case he
was the winner. Willard had origin
ally planned to go to New York to dis
cuss certain business plans imm edi-
ately after the bout but what effect
the upset will have on this arrange
Y.
In this connection II can be said so
confident was Willard that he would
defeat the challenger that he had
completed preliminary plans to organ
lie a moving picture company and
star in . series of dramas in which
his ring prowess would be OF great
value. The blows of the more youth
full opponent are believed to have
shattered this scheme as they did the
championship claims of the conqueror
of Jack Johnson.
Dempsey has no immediate idea of
re-entering the ring for there is no
worthy opponent in sight at this time.
It is likely he will endeavor to turn
his newly gained ring laurels into COM
n1ercial value as has been the custom
of all modern holders OF the title 1t
is known. however. he is ready to de-
fend the championship any time and II
is quite likely that a bout will be start
ed to find a suitable and drawing an
tasonist within few months.
Must Find Contenders.
Tex Richard. promoter of yester-
days battle. when approached on this
matter, denied he had any intention OF
undertaking such venture at this
time. He said:
Dempsey is sure to make a popular
champion and will in time be called
upon to defend his title. but there is
no one in sight at present to give him
battle. While he is a wonderfully
built athlete Dempsey is not bigger
than scores OF other men thruout the
country and Europe and for that rea-
son will be easier to match than Will
lard was. The new contenders must
first be developed. and this will take
time. Unless Carpenter of France. OF
Beckett of England. show within this
next few months that the war has not
set back their boxing ability. we mus
wait for a new opponent to battle hi,
xvav TO a poSitiOn where he can de.
mand a meeting with the new cham.