New Britain herald., 1919-02-12
DE PLANK ANNOUNCES PERMANENT FROM SOUND BEATING M A.
TEX RICHARD SEEKS
 SPOT ID PITCH RING
Ace Of Promoters Will Give MuCb.
 Attention to Next Battle

New York, Feb. 12.-Tex Rickar I'd, the ace of pugilstic promotion, having induced Jess Willard to sign 8 papeE- calling for $100,000 for the champion, and followed this by getting Jack Dempsey's sigma ture to a document calling for $27, 300 for the challenger. now is confronted by the most dif1- cult task of all-the discovery of a spot in which to stage the dispute But with the calm persistencv that enabled him to lure Willard from re- tirement, Rickard will now bend his energies to surm bunting the last oh- stacle. The promoter will start away Saturday to look over the field, and by the time he returns he thinks he will have some news on the subject Queried yesterday as to whether any of the propositions regarding & site for the big fight appealed to him, the promoter replied:
 There have been several sugges- tions made to me that look good. can't say anything as yet for publi- cation, as it might interfere with thes plans of all concerned. don't expect to have any trouble in finding a place for the bout but I certainly will not announce a selection until the various boxing bills in a number of states have been disposed of one way or another. It may be that boxing will be legalized in some state, with decision, and a sufficient number of rounds to warrant" the pitching of the ring there. How ever, I am not at all worried over the question of a place in which to stage the fight. That is the least of my troubles.
 Defends WiIlard's Action.
 II have heard that Willard's war record might detract from the public interest in the bout, but fail to see why such should be the case. While :, Willard did not go to the front, the same is true of many other boxers, I am having compiled a statement showing the amount of money earned by Willard for patriotic objects in comparison with that of other boxers who did not go to the trenches. think it will prove a surprise to the public. While Willard did not box so often others, he drew more money to each of his exhibitions.
 Another thing I have heard is that Willard has a disagreeable personality and that people will not go to see him box. I am not paying Willard $100,o00
  giving him the money on the supposi- ton that he can fight in the ring. By the same token I am not giving DemP- sey $27,500 on the strength of his rep utation as a Beau Brumme e1 or a social butterfly, but because of the indica- tions he has given of being worthy contender for the heavyweight cham pionship of the world.
 Purely Fighting Proposition.
 "This contest is not to be one be- tween drawing room favorites, but be, tween two fighting men, and history records the fact that fighting men ara not noted for docility or sweetness of temper. The Huns who bumped against the doughboys will testify to that fact.
 If mpionship boxing matches had been arranged on the basis of mild department. I fear that John l.. Sullivan, Bob Fitzsimmons, Jim Jeff fries Tom Sharkey and many others would have been barred from the com petition.
 willard and Dempsey are by com mon consent, the ablest heavyweight fighters in the world and if the public does not care to see them in action, then it will be 9, new departure on the part of the public"