The New York herald., 1921-01-30
DEMPSEY'S LOSS OF
FORM AID TO JESS
Kansan May Regain Title if
Champion Continues Ncgli-
gent in Training.
ny CHARLES r. MATHIsoN.

No matter how decisively boxer may
be defeated. nor how much he is out
classcd by an opponent the defeated
ton which to himself. at least, satis-
factorily sets forth the series Of "acci-
dents" leading TO his overthrow.
+ Sullivan. although pleased that an
American had won the title. insisted
later on that he would have been the
victor had Corbett stood still long
enough to be hit.
! When Corbett was vanquished by
Fitz, the loser intimated that the blow
was low and that the count was slow.
After Fitz was trimmed by jeff the
Cornishman said II was q lucky knock
down In the second round that spilled
the championship beans.
Tommy Burns laid his defeat at the
hands of Jack Johnson to the pernicious
activity OF the Sydney police. who
stopped the bout when Burns was help
less.
When Jeff was counted out at Reno.
he murmured. after being awakened,
that somebody put poisonous substance
In his teapot.
Jack Johnson has declared that he
didn't half try with Willard in Havana,
and says the reason was he needed the
money
Now comes Jess Willard, the tall COW
puncher from Kansas. who was worsted
by Jack Dempsey at Toledo year and
half ago. and declares his defeat was
due to ovcrconfidence on his part,
coupled with lack of training.
Therefore. he comes out Of the West
and demands another joust with the
champion. The fact that he seeks
return engagement proves that he has
quite as much confidence In himself now
as he Lad year ago July 4. There
fore 1t would seem that the former
champion lays his downfall to lack Of
condition.
When Willard entered the ring for the
battle of Maumee he was the most
confident man in the arena He felt
so sure OF defeating Dempsey that he
regarded the challenger with an amused
smile when he faced him for the final
instructions. In fact, the Kansas giant
seemed to look upon Dempsey with
pity, as though deprecating the neces-
sity for mauling him.
The former champion now appears to
feel that the only reason he did not win
at Toledo was his lack Of condition,
and no is determined to remedy that
defect in his training for the coming
contest at the Garden March II.
The demonstration OF Willard's the
ory that he was not properly trained
at Toledo should prove most interest
ing. Ills training will be closely
watched. and II he goes into the ring
In good condition his efforts to defeat
the champion will be very interesting
to students OF boxing.
The writer is of the opinion that IL
was not poor condition that defeated
Willard at Toledo, but lack of speed.
Rather. II was the marvellous speed OF
Dempsey combined with terrific hit
ting, that brought so sudden change
in the championship title. Therefore, IL
Dempsey retains the speed and aggres-
siveness that Nlo possessed at Toledo
the champion should defeat Willard. no
matter how we'll the Kansas is trained.
Three seconds after the gong started
the first round at Toledo Dempsey was
inside Willard's guard. dealing the then
champion terrific blows. The vaunted
left hand that was to keep Dempsey at
bay until Willard could send up a de-
cisive uppercut with the right was use-
less. Dempsey was at close quarters
so suddenly Willard did not know what
to do The big fellow could not even
use his feet in getting out OF range and
the seven knockdowns followed In quick
succession.
Therefore. II Dempsey is the same
demon OF speed as he was at Toledo
Il does not appear that Willard Will
have much of chance TO regain the
title.
At the same time. if Dempsey has lost
any or the wonderful speed he showed
when he won the championship, Willard
might have n chance OF regaining the
honors.
Although Dempsey and his camp fol-
lowers all stoutly deny that the cham
pion Is leading ausht except life corr
sonant With the best possible physical
condition. reports to the contrary con-
tinpc In circulation.
II is charged that the champions
life In the film colony at Los Angeles
has not been conducive to championship
ring form, and II such IL the case
Willard may take heart