South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-04
JACK AND JESS
SET FOR FIGHT
Tex Richard Announces That
Bio Boys Will Start the
Battle at $3.50.
BY ~. G. HAMILTON.
Omitted Press stan Correspondent

ard announced Thursday that Demp-
sev and Willard will be in the ring
and ready TO start at $3.50 Friday.
Time OF starting the bouts was
changed today when AID Thatcher.
president or the Toledo Athletic club.
announced that two preliminaries
would be dispensed with.
This will set the first bout at noon.
In a quiet spot on the sun baked
shores OF Maumee bay behind the
locked screen doors Of the Overland
club. Jack Dempsey, challenger Of
Jess willard. the worlds heavy
weight champion. sat cheerfully OPP
tirnistic His 245 pound rival for the
greatest hCAor IN the gift Of hstiana
lolled about the sun porch OF house
within the best residential district OF
Toledo.
Dempeey's smile was 70 beam all
about the Overland club today He
had planned nothing. He is merely
waiting for the tap OF the gong that
wiz send him into the greatest vic
tory ever scored in pugilism or into
a defeat OF bitter memories. That is
all.
Visits City
Jess Willard Thursday deviated
from hts announced schedule Of
motor ride only before meeting Jack
DEMPSEY, when he rode downtown
and walked into the Secor hotel for
a few moments.
The huge champion was instantly
the center OF hundreds Of eyes. The
lobby OF the hotel was crowded. He
nodded 10 few friends. shook hands
with some newspapermen and went
away.
Trains continued 10 deluge the
towr with visitors Thursday Every
arriving train brought more Of theon.
Hotels hung out the 'S. r. O." sign
ard the few ones wandered into the
outlying residential districts or pat
ronized the made-in-a- minute sleep
ing hangouts in the business districts
Restaurants Of the makeshift kind
have sprung up over night. It is evil
dent that Toledo is gong TO take care
OF her crowd with little inconven-
ic~se
Defeat TO Dempsey means a shat
terinE OF that glorious record Of
knockoUts with which he has lighted
his climb 10 the glare Of the spot
light. IL means a new start. Perhaps
a championship later. but a crushed
spirit for n time. To Willard IL means
has he can retire from the hateful
safe OF admiring and curious fight
fans. But Il also means TO Willard
that the fash OF the dollar will not
I e so near.
To each it means lot This means
that there will be a fight of gritted
teeth-a battle that Achilles and
Hector might have envy for.
The weeks OF preparation for the
struggle have ended. Long days of
sruelling preparation. hours in the
sun minutes with sparring partners
ringing dangerous punches. tiresome
interviews with curious and inquisi-
tive folk. bundles Of mail from busy
bodies and critics have come TO an
end.
Is Day Of Peace.
Today was a day Of peace III the
camps OF the heavyweights
Tomorrow they viii start 10
round battle for the worlds cham
pionship in a mammoth arena built
for them by Tex Richard the most
daring promoter the world ever has
seen.
Downtown Toledo was a scene OF
activity in marked contrast to the
peaceful scenes in the camps. where
canvas and ring have been feIled
Betting became more active after a
period OF laxness that became
deadlock when each side asked con
cessions from the other
History never recorded a fstic
contest OF greater mystery than the
one about 20 be fought People have
worried and wondered about the
condition OF the champion until
they don't know what conclusion 10
reach. IL Is because OF his age They
are afraid because OF what happened
10 James ! Jefries after his long
retirement from the ring and he
cause OF what Willard himself did 90
Jack Johnson after the big Negro's
years or dissipation following his de
feat or Jefferies They are asking
themselves why they should place
confidence I'm the giant Willard aft
er these fzzles
DoPcStcrS Favor Dempsey
Dempsey Is a favorite with the
dopesters and the wise money is be-
ire laid on him. but every stranger
vhc comes to town with dollars TO
hack mis- Judgment apparently
brings shekels 70 place tn Willard
Champion followers s~e increasing
daily He probably 0Nl enter the
ring about n 10 20 iavorite. The
p-eba bic odds OF today
pempsey's popularity had forced
many even money bets Yesterday
two Wagers or considerable size were
placed on him They came from men
4 who know him and are confident he
VIII win because they cannot feel
pHv other way
Both men We're iu superb condi-
ton DR.. Joseph j Sweeney. Official
physician OF the Toledo Athletic
club has amined them Willard.
n declared few DAYS ago. Surpass
20 any physical specimen ne ever
iai gazcd upon Yesterday he looked
at Demp~ey and threw up his hands
'ifls condition IS even better" ne de-
clared
Rules OF .he Toledo Athletic club
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