The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-07-04
SIZE OF CROWD
DISAPPOINTING;
PREL|MS SLOW
Dempsey, Confident, Enters
Dressing Room at 2,,50.

RlNGSiDE. TOLEDO, July A.
Jess Willard and Jack Dempsey met
here this afternoon in 4 scheduled
twelve round boxing match for the
heavyweight championship OF the
world The 5000 seats Of the arena
were little more than half filled.
The first actual sign that the big
event Of the day impended came when
workmen tossed a new mat into the
ring to replace the one somewhat
damaged BY the preliminaries and BY
an exhibition Of bayonet, pistol and
knife practice by soldier experts
with Major Anthony J. Drexel Bid
die, who was also one Of the Judge,
OF the championship.
The thermometer stood ., lis de.
grees, bu, q putty breeze gave oc-
casional slight relief
Dempsey reached his dressing room
at $50 y. IN. He was smiling ant
apparently confident.
A, 10 the crowd had stopped com
ing and the arena was apparently lii
tie more than hall full. The last pfc
liminary was still running.
ny The Associated Press)
RINGSlDE, TOLEDO. July ~
The crowd gathered slewly fos th'
leAa Willard. Jack Dempsey hsavy
velGN ehsmpioashis i1-ressd 90
The arena gates wsrs ma opene,
until f0:iS o'clock Al that time thef,
were but Z couple OF thousand spec
ta,oy ready 10 enter the gates.
The sky vas clear and with a coo
breeze blowing Airplanes and I
giant gas bag to take pictures OF III
contest were being tested out.
The starting OF the first prelimi
nary contest, scheduled for 10 o'clock
was delayed owing to ,he slow gath
erins OF the spectators.
The first preliminary was called a
II o'clock. 4 Ground 60 betNeei
Tosur,y O'Boyle Of Toledo. III
pounds, and Sollv Epstein Of Indian
apoiis, IA pounds. Tom Bodkin o
Pittsburgh was referee and decide
the contest q draw.
The crowd continues to gathst bu
slowly, only a few thousand spectator
being present when the first prelimi
nary started.
The second preliminary. just befor
noon, scheAuled TO 20 six rounds be
tween "Wop" English and Battlin
Wendt. both OF Toledo, ended In tn
first round. English winning by
knockout.
Al noon the crowd vas rapid
gathering, the arena being about one
third filled. Among the thousands
eoatless and coliariess spectators va
rood sprinkling Of women.
The third preliminary, . schedule
six-rosnd contest between Tofnnl
Long Of Detroit, and Johnny Levi
Of Toledo. ended in the third roun
with . knockout victory for Lewis,
By noon the vertical sun was ser,
| ins up to the attendance en- casserol
| The breeze continued. but confined !
efforts to fiuttering the flags on u
| perineter Of the ssfna. II did M
dip into the bowl OF the amphitheate
The seats were filling steadily VII
a crowd which to . man had di
carded coats and largely collars.
beduoin effect was produced BY u
spectators Who covered their hea.
with handkerchiefs surmounted
their hats.
The temperature In ihs press Sc.
was ii2 degrees In the sun .und
which everybody sat There was
shade In which 10 take . more CO.
servative reading.
| A smaIi blaze was started al d
rinsside by . eisAret stump. u "
exfinguished with . pail oi drinkii
water which happened TO BE- At han
| A member Of . VI party S.c
Tocoaio. whose train was park
near another special from Califo
nia, reported meeting the last wo
In fiskt enthusiasts IN the Coz
party. Thia man was totally blir
has oaid 80 ios b seat under Z IL
deRrae sua for Q show which .
eould only imagine from what !
friends told Him G0d from Nessori
OF fiehts of earlier days teioee
was impsioogled In darSneas.
k.s.s kasA s~aAn s,xnasnesAir
forss b ~ iasses. BIT made sos
woft of Il. Tln hrass instrunes
| wsfe ~ kot they .al@ost bssNsd 4
hands of their .playssh NJ 81
pep ND Sweated leoa the -
dfuR. Tke envy oi I'll was I
avhlos who Iooped. swisIed sgd {
rsssd sbove. He looked essl. p {
T II ~ .a,,a,ed e;reis = R