The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-16
DEMPSEY'S BOXING
PUZZLES PATRONS
Champions Failure to Stop
Brennan Quickly Cause Of
Much Comment.
DID NOT PLAY TO FILMS
Impression Created That Title
holder Feared to Scare
Other Opponents.
BY CHARLES #. MATHIsoN.

BY CHARLES II. MATHISON.
The remarkably inefficient perform
ance of Jack Dempsey in his contest
with Bill Brennan at Madison Square
Garden Tuesday night was the subject
of general discussion by boxing en-
thusiasts yesterday. and opinion was
divided as to the motive of the cham
pion and his manager 1t was generally
conceded that Dempsey either had de-
Perforated lamentably in all respects
since his bout with Willard, or else for
some reason was not exerting himself
with customary vigor. If Dempsey was
not trying, his action could be attributed
to one of three causes.
He might have been under an agree
nent with the moving picture managers
to permit Brennan to remain on his feet
for at least ten rounds.
He might have been actuated by de-
sire to string out his bout with Brennan
and thus make his coming match with
Carpenter look safer for the French
man.
He may have reduced his stamina
by excessive speed in his mode of liv-
ing
To the writer the moving picture
theory does not appeal. for the films
would have been quite as valuable had
the champion stopped Brennan in three
or four rounds.
In view of the workmanlike manner
in which Dempsey disposed of Billy
Miske last July the injured vitality pre-
sumption does not carry much weight.
But the eagerness of the champion to
have the match with Carpenter look
more attractive than 1t did previous to
the affair with Brennan seems exceed
ingly plausible. AS a matter of fact,
Dempsey since his defeat of Willard has
been in the same predicament as Alex
ander. who wept because there>were no
more worlds for him to conquer\
The list of opponents for Dempsey
had dwlndled to point that presaged
an unfruitful future for the champion,
with resultant loss of plethoric purses.
Had Dempsey polished off Brennan In
few rounds-which he could have done
had he fought in his Toledo form--it
might have had a deterrent effect on the
Frenchman and certainly would have
diminished tho public interest In the
event and reduced the gate receipts.
For Eject on French Imam.
BY making it appear that he had
great difficulty In stopping Brennan and
receiving more punishment than ever
was dealt out to him IN the past Car
pentier and his friends would be lulled
to q feeling of security, and half dozen
other American heavyweights would be
eager for q contest with the champion.
Thus the Dempsey bank account, which
was threatened with extinction simply
because of his overwhelming superiority
over all his challengers, is likely to be
replenished through the medium OF
matches with opponents who previously
VIC ID not have been considered by
maichmakers.
In addition interest In the bout with
Carpenter will be revived, with the
prospect Of large attendance wherever
the contest may be staged
Dempsey and his manager both as
serted yesterday that the champion did
his utmost to bring the contest to
speedy close. and declared that the NOV
ing pictures had not the slightest in
fluence in delaying the knockout.
If such was the case then Jack Demp-
sey has deteriorIated physically and Is
in danger of a humilatng defeat the
first time he faces a rugged. hard hit
ting heavyweight.
There Is not the slightest doubt that
Frank Moran Is Juggling at the leash
over in London in his eagerness TO re-
turn to the United States and demand
a match with the champion. Moran Is
practically matched with Bombardier
Wells and has been promised bout with
Carpenter IL he defeats Wells. 1t seems,
however, that Carpenter. who previous
TO the MOran-lbeCkeLl Collttsl pIoliilSth
to meet the winner, has changed he
mind. An Associated Press despatch
from London quotes Carpenter as de-
claring fatty that he would not fight
any one prior to his match with Jack
Dempsey, the worlds champion. This
statement was msde in answer TO widely
published reports that he was about 10
sign for a match with Moran and that
he also would fight Tommy Burns, the
former worlds champion.
Francois Descamps, Carpenters man.
ager. asserted that Carpenters contract
with Dempsey precluded any night prior
To that with the worlds champion. Dis
cussng the arrangements with Demp-
sey. Carpenter said 1t did not make the
slightest difference to him where ne
boxed for the championship ANY place
in the world suits me" he declared
No Bar to Moran Bout.
The articles OF agreement for the
Dempsey Carpenter match do not pre-
vent Carpenter from boxing In Europe.
but they do forbid him from engaging In
a bout in America previous to the con-
test with Dempsey
DEMPSEY is permitted TO box I'm this
country but not in Europe previous TO
meeting Carpenter. Therefore II would
appear that Carpenters change of mind
az to a match with Moran was due 20
the force with which Moran hit Beckett.
IL Richard, as reported, gave 100000
20 Dempsey and $4,000 to Bill Brennan.
the promoter was a heavy loser on the
undertaking, as the total receipts were
only $145,935. The state tax was more
than $1,000 and the other expenses by
no means light. AS soon ms promoters
cut out tho heavy guarantees and COM
pel boxers TO accept percentage of
what they draw 20 the arena tho boxing
business will rest on safe and sane
basis.