The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-12
Dempsey Is in Superb Shape
 Physically, While Morale Is Great, Says McGann
By sPARRoW MGANN
pecia1 Correspondent of The Age-Herald


 Copyright, 1921, by The Age-Heraid)
 Atlantic City, N. J., June 11.-(Spe- cial.)-Watching Jack Dempsey at work for. his coming battle with Carr pentier in tho past two days, the writer has been impressed chiefly by the champions superb condition. The statement of his manager and trainers that he Is fit right now to go into the ring Is borne out by his appearance. The line of his ribs shows just above his stomach when standing erect, and in every respect he suggests a man who could not afford to lose much--if any more weight,
 So true Is this that >his present training consists more of developing certain blows and methods of attack than of exercise solely designed to remove surplus pounds. Even so. he has to be handled very carefully, his days of exercise alternating with days when he does prActfcally noth- ing. Of the rigid, grueling course Of sprouts which one associates with a pugilst in training for an impor- tant bout, there will be nothing in evidence until June 22, 10 days be- fore the fight. when the champion will settle, down to real intensive conditioning.
 Jack Has Grown
 Dempsey has grown since he fought Jess Willard and there is no A1tkt ct a1J tl.,t l. l-n ~Ff every bit of surplus weight he wilt still tip the scales at 190 pounds. As he stands now he is a remarkable specimen. Throughout from toe to head he Is beautifully proportioned. When nature decided to make heavyweight fighting machine of Jack Dempsey she did a job flawiess in every detail, His legs are built for speed and for endurance; his waist, supple as that of an acrobat, is, however, in proportion to his splendid chest and shoulders.
 His sparring partners and experts who have watched him closely say that his improvement In the matter oe avoiding punches while in close and his ability to hit from all an- gles, with either the right or left, Is almost unbelievable. Jack Kearns. HIS fudHASST, Sdy tHdl III tHc IndltCi of science he has improved at leass shown, and the writer is ready to agree with him.
 In working with air and sand punching bags. Dempsey uses them seriously and at great length as means of perfecting various punches and styles of attack. Carpenter. on the other hand, goes at the bag in a perfunctory manner, and only for a short time; in this respect he sug- gests a man who is doing something just because 1t is customary thing to do, and not because he hopes to get much good out of it. He displays no pep and his whole demeanor, in fact, is quite indifferent.
 Anticipates Crouch
 Dempsey's work with the bags punctuated with occasional right and left-hand wallops. His next move is to advance upon the bag and hook it viciously with right or left. an<attendant stepping in as Dempsey walks away to steady the bag for the next punch. He will spend some 10 minutes doing this. Then follows an assault upon a heavy leather bag filled with sand. Upon this he de- flyers every sort of a blow, moving around and ducking- or hitting, as the case may be, when the huge bag swings back to him. He seems to make much of low punches, the bag being let down nearly to the floor. This, of course, to accustom himself to hitting an opponent who IS crouchng.
 Mentally, the champion is in fine mood. battling mood. He is as- suming that Carpenter Is by far the most formidable man he has ever met, and is conducting himself ac- cordingly. His trainers are having no trouble with him. He IS always in bed by S.30 or o'clock and never leaves the camp, save for an infre- ouent stroll along the board walk with Jack Kearns.