New-York tribune., 1919-06-05
less Confident
He Will Win
!. Inside Limit
Champion Not Perturbed
Over Referee; Concerned
Over Lack Of Partners
Bv W. 0. Mcclellan


,he shore of Maumee Bay just one
month from to-day there will be some
hing over hfty-fve pounds difference
!, their weights For comparison of
sizes. Dempsey viii look just as small
relatively as did Frank Moran, Will
]ards most recent victim.
So far there has been very little
betting, but it is now certain the
champion viii be heavy favorite at
the ringside. His first appearance
here was little short of sensational.
Many had come to believe that Willard
had deteriorated seriously. Neutral
Judges were inclined to concede Dcmp-
sew more than q fair chance until they
saw Willard. Then there was a lot
Of headshaklng
Instead of a numbering colossus,
with rings of fat all over him, Willard
showed himself to be trim and fit
He had picked up a healthy coat of
outdoor tan and his eyes were bright
Every move he made in the ring
showed that he had been going
through long period of conditioning
Some time ago there was some specu-
lation as to Dompsey's chances of be-
Ing the rngsde favorte. That was
because Of the popular belief that
Willard had gone back. Also this
speculation was enhanced because of
Wizards unpopularity. But when it
gets right down to ringside time no.
body is going to bet against Willard
because he does not like him.
Scarcity of Human Targets
Wizards work will be hampered to
some extent by the scarcity of spar
ring partners. Jack Kearns, manager
Of Dempsey, seems to have cornercd
all of the available human punching
bags for his. man. Dempsey needs
plenty of sparring partners, IS he is
just as hard on them as ketchel was.
Dempsey's decisin to slow down in
his work for a while was we'll advised
The contender looks bit lean and
drawn already. The heat wave has
taken considerable weight off him and
he Will need all the weight he can
carry when he goes into the ring with
willard. Stamina alone will not carry
him crashing through that ponderous
guard OF Willard.
Speaking of weather, July a in this
neck OF the woods promises to be quite
as warm as it ever was in Havana OF
Reno on the same date. You Will neec
some light clothing that day, and yor
will be Wringing it out between rounds
Also bring your shelter tents and cots
There Will be few places where the
weary visitor can lay his head on the
evening of the fight and for several
evenings before.
Battling Nelson, who is here doing
literary work in connection with the
fight, has pitched tent close to the
arena. The Battler will be at home
there until after the fight, and declares
that the grassy field around there may
be used for sleeping quarters by the
homeless.
The referee question will not be taken
up in serious way until about two
weeks before the fight. All sorts of
candidates and their boosters are on
the ground. Willard does not seem to
be greatly concerned over this matter
although the third man may have the
say as to whether he will lose or re-
tain his championship.
Not Worried Over Referee
gather that willard does not be-
lieve that the fight will last the full
twelve rounds. He grins very cheer
fully over the referee matter.
NJ is q small matter at best" he
said "We can row over that later. II
seems TO be the fashion to have long
and heated discussions over the referee
thing | nave nobody in mind. Any
body that IS competent and honest will
suit me. don't think We are going te
have much trouble in selecting The
man. am more anxious about finding
lew good snarring partners just now
The dark horse candidate for referet
seems 70 be BIZ Brown. Of New York
4 the boxers cannot agree, he is quite
likely 10 be the third man. Rickarc
VIII not say who his candidate nigh
Be IN case he is forced to make the ar
bnrsry suggestion, but it looks lik
Bill Brown if Richard has to pick him
Dempsey and Willard have not me
on the road, but it may interest som
o. you TO know that they have me
az least twice before, once at Denve
ard once a. Chicago That was befor
Dempsey reached the stage Of logica
contender, but on each occasion h
challenged Willard
II they should meet again here be
fore July they probably will e>
change courteous greetings. There wi
be none Of the melodrama that OK
Cured before the Titzsimmons an
'oroctt ffht, when Fitz and Corbet
net on the road and staged d pre-
arranged quarrel. Rickard does nc
care for this aort Of advertisement.
Az the conference over the rcfcre
Willard will meet Jack Kearns an
Sickard. Jack Dempsey Will not al
pear shen.
willard had his first real worko,
,'-day- He took a threc-milc road ru
n the morning and in the afternoo
Doxed four rounds and wound up wit
,ome shadow boxing and wrestling
'ess dropped Walter Monahan for II
''unt wish right uppercut.