Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-09-06
BENTON HARBORI
. SCENE OF BIG
BOXING MATCH
Little Michigan City Packed
as Heavyweight Leaders
Go Into Action.
CHAMP HUGE FAVORITE
BY l.. r.. BLANCHARD.
United Press STAFF Correspondent.

RINGSIDE, BENTON HARBOR, Mich.
Sept. 6.-Boxing Champion Jack Demp-
sey met Billy Miske of st. Paul here to-
day, determined on this third bout to
put his challenger away. 1t was Demp-
sey's first appearance as a champion, and
he met man who has stood against him
for sixteen rounds.
Five hours before the preliminaries
were to begin the arena was bare. Work
men strung the ropes. wrapping them
carefully with wet cloths. The ring floor
was bare, but laborers were smoothing
the boards and preparing to stretch the
canvass covering.
The sky was still overcast after a
night Of rain. but the sun tried to break
through 1t appeared that fair weather,
after all. was to favor the champions
first appearance.
Political signs and mo gambling" or
ders in farlng colors hid the wooden
fences. Wire entanglements separated
the various sections. Gates were used to
admit spectators 10 the ringside section.
Nlichigan's state constabulary, he'll
meted and putteed, policed the grounds
The fighters quarters asserted they
had rested well last night They break
tasted lightly, took short, brisk walks
and retired 70 their camps 10 loll around
in loose clothing until called to the ring
Miehigan's boxing commission visited
both camps lhortly before 10 o'clock.
Doctors Martin Of ST. Joseph. Mich, and
Tabor OF Benton Harbor. examined the
fighters and found them in hawless con
dition.
Dempsey appeared a tribe gaunt, but
the big dinner promised him for IL
o'clock was expected to remedy that.
The fight fans piled into the city by
boat and train. but exorbltant rent and
food prices seemed 10 have cut into the
attendance
labor unions put on their parade an
hour early 90 permit some Of their men
10 see the fight. Many union men drove
20 the assembly place near Dempsey g
quarters IN automobiles
At u n. N. the sun still endeavored
to break through banks Of clouds, but
with only partial success
Tiers Of benches about the ring were
unpleasantly damp aud the sand floor OF
the stoekade was mushy.
The citys power plant went out OF
commission shortly after the storm start
ed last night and the usual night before
the fight gayeties were conducted under
pale gas and candle lights.
Except FOR It's affect on automobile
fans, rain was not expected TO interfere
with the attendance. The arena can be
covered With o huge canvas bought for
such an emergency.
one of che most popglFr bets last night
~~ss eae wrQtaef eefs on thp hSht
AstesaAAt. sfera eka y eaeretS bat
tllere WIS open activity ny those who
WAheVd 10 h@s tie sun would shine.
Dempsey c9EtiHued 50 be the big ia
voiite 10 bettiug. There was little open
posting Of casll but there was a con
staut buzz OF money talk In tho litter
strcwrn and autographed room serving
as night headquarters
Tie seat sale was announced late Fri
day evening. as SS000n with rosy pre-
dictious By Promoter Fitzssmmons that
the general admission sale today would
hring ln @ total ~ Sl30.000
The fighters followed practically iden-
tical programs In the last day before the
fight. MiEke climbed into the ring sun
day for two rounds Of boxing with Jack
Continued on Page Eleven)