The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-07-04
FIGHTERS ARE
TAPERINC OFF
FOR BIG SCRAP
Both Willard and Dempsey
Claim They Are Not Wor-
ried-Real Betting Starts.

TOLEDO, O., July 3.-With the hour
of combat fast approaching, Jess Will
lard and Jack Dempsey are undergo
ing the tapering off degree in training.
Just what tapering of means to .
man who faces the punching test that
these huge fellows face is more, prob
ably, than most of these fans who are
spilling their coin from $50 down to
$40 for arena seats fully realize.
The people who are waiting patient
ly for the gong to clang, starting this
cintest in the metropolitan city may
appreciate the fact that the fighters.
not themselves, are the ones held in
the grip Of tenseness.
There's Big Willard, champion Of
the world, the man who has every
thing to lose in this battle with Demp-
sey Then there's Dempsey, the man
who has everything to gain.
Not Worried-WilIard.
Willard claims that he is not wor-
ried and for that matter so does his
challenger. Even If big Jess were to
worry no one would know about it,
for that is one of tho dark secrets Of
this punching business. If he should
be troubled that must be considered a
part of the business, and viewing 1t
from that angle might ease the strain.
OF course, there Is every reason why
the champion should find these next
As hours more annoying than his rival.
Just remember that the championship
crown still adorns his head.
Dempsey, the kid, does not worry.
Say, let me tell you something,
said Jack, in answer to what might
be an annoying question If shot at a
number of boxers. I'm not even
thinking about that fight. When 1t
comes time to fight I'll be there and
July 4.will take care Of itself"
Three Meals Day.
Three hearty meals a day with NO
restrictions on his choice Of food will
be his dietary program in his taper
ing off process for the championship
battle. Willard. according to custom
will eat his usual two meals a day.
Unlike boxers who must make a
stipulated weight ringside or a certain
hour on the day Of battle, both the
champion and challenger regulate
their food only to produce the best
conditions for their gruelling physi
cal task.
Dempsey, in particular, has wished
to add weight rather than take it off
He eats more heartily than does the
champion and has had a special chez
in his camp to prepare appetizins
dishes at o'clock in the morning, /:
o'clock noon and o'clock at night.
Upon arrival here Willard engaged
private cottage, where a woman
and her daughter prepare his food
upon the home cooking plan. Early
in his training he adopted diet in
tended to reduce the surplus avoirdu
pois which he had accumulated.
81 Jess a Light Eater.
AS the pounds began to roll off I'm
der work, Jess discarded the diet anc
for the last ten days he has ordered
what he wishes. Willard is not {
hearty eater for his size. He con
sumes the breakfast of the ordinary
man, lighter if anything. His dinnel
is a substantial meal. with soup, meat
vegetables and dessert.
Willard still radiates good nature
when he meets friends, but those il
his training camp assert he is becom
ing slightly more serious as the da!
for battle approaches. Dempsey, nat
turally Of a more nervous tempera
ment, looks serious. At times he i
irritable, but not near SO much so a
his handler had expected.