The Washington times., 1921-06-18

This may seem strange. but 1t was
in line with their custom. They had
rarely discussed fight to any extent
in advance. and In that respect they
did not regard the willard match as
any different from any other.
The reason 10 simple. Kesrns
holds that Dempsey 10 fighter BY
instinct, and that his instinct In the
ring prompts him to do the proper
thing. Dempsey attempts no elabor-
ate ring strategy. such as Georges
Carpenter is said to possess.
The champion has picked up con-
siderable knowledge of boxing since
the days when saw him shambling
about the ring with Andre Anderson,
of course, but after all his tactics are
founded on the elemental proposition
of getting home a punch. -
THEY HOVE WON.
SO far these tactics have never
failed to win.
All the rinig strategy In the world
avails nothing against a terrific
punch. Dempsey had been bringing
his men down by the simple method
of walking out and hitting them as
hard as he could.
In those days he perhaps hit hard
er with Us right hand than with his
left In ssct. Dempsey has always
rather favored his right, as hunter
favors a rifle with which he has uni
form success The champion calls
that hand Iron Mike"
He had a pretty good left then,
however, and has a better left now.
The chief feature Of his improve
ment since Toledo has been the de-
velopment of his left
At the conference on the Maumee,
Kearns did most of the talking. For
all of his Apparent indifference to
willard, the champion. Kearns had
been keeping close tab on events in
the camp of the giant from Potta-
watomie. which was pitched not far
from Dempsey's camp.
In some manner, Kearns had learn
ed that willard expected Dempsey to
rush at him swinging both hands
from the tap of the gong. Demp-
sey had gained q reputation as n rip
tearing fghter, driving In headlong.
and whaling away.
ANOTHER TERRY. .
He was supposed to be a sort of
Terry McGovern in style. and Will
lard, who seems to have been study
ing Dempsey's style had every reason
to believe that the man from Col
orado would come at him. head down
and whsnging.
willard made the mistake of stat
ing his expectations. thus furnish
ing Rearns with the foundation for
his plan of battle.
Big Jess was an unaggressive style
OF fighter. He chose to stand with
his hands stuck stiffly forward, and
his huge legs spraddied apart. and
lat the other fellow come to him
with the Tight
Jack Johnson. his predecessor In the
heavyweight line, was another OF
those come-to-me fighters, preferring
to let the opponent lead. About tho
only time Jack changed his tactics
was at Havana, when he surprised
the spectators familiar with his msth-
DDS by forcing the lighting against
Willard at times
KEARNs TOLD HIM.
Kearns told Dempsey of willsrds
expectations.
Now, them he said. when you
step out of your corner he'll be ex,
pecting a rush. Walk over to him.
feint and walk away. and see what
happens-
That was all there wss TO the con-
ference. and all there was to the plan
OF battle.
Dempsey followed instructions. As
the gong changed, he stepped briskiv
over toward the ponderous, nabby
form Of the huge fellow from the Jay
hawker state. and feinted with his
left.
He turned swiftly. ana. as he turn
I'd. wAiArd thAnksnS Dcmseey would