The New York herald., 1922-06-18
CHAMPION CHARGED
With DISCOURTESY
Curt Refusal to Even Consider
Montreal Offer Deeply Of
fends the Promoters.
NO MORE PROPOSALS
Wilson's Surprising Decision
to Fight Harry Greb Gives
Rise to Speculation.
BY CHARLES f. MATHlsoN.


BY CHARLES r. MATHISON.
1t may be a reasonable supposition
that Jack Dempsey is in a position to
get all the lucrative matches he may
desire and that he can find promoters
willing to take the risk OF staging
matches between the champion and
third and fourth raters at Painted
Post or other populous centers of the
boundless prairies. In fact, it is pos
sible Dempsey may in future shoulder
the promoters risk as we'll as the title
holders danger in the ring.
If sucn is the case, Dempsey is
likely to have an opportunity to take
up the burden of responsibility, both
financially and as fighter.
Tex Rickard the man who has
promoted nearly all the fights in which
Dempsey has been contestant, and
whose generous purses have yielded a
fortune to the boxer. is not inclined
to take a leading part in any future
ring engagements of the champion.
RlSkdlQS attitude III IHt pitlASCo 10
shared by the other men connected with
the Gar. zen Sporting Corporation. As
the case stands. the Garden club offl-
cials will make no overtures to Demp-
sey in reference to a fight with Wills
or any one else. and if the titleholder
desires the assistance of Rickard and
his associates. the boxer will have to
make the first move. The reason Tor
the attitude of the Garden officials dates
g IL
rope. He was approached by the club
officials, who made him fiatterins
offer to box Wills in Montreal on Do
ninion Day, July l. Frank Flournoy
at the request of Montreal business
men, visited that city and reached an
agreement whereby Dempsey would
have been guaranteed a large purse
Relying on the frequent declarations
of the champion and his manager that
they would accept any match approved
by the public. and which yielded proper
financial returns to the fighter, the
Garden officials laid the proposal before
Dempsey.
Brusque Refusal.
They met with curt, brusque re-
fusal. the only explanation being lack
OF til IN which to get into condition.
This in view of the fact that there were
seven weeks OIL open lltilc previous ~
Julv l. Dempsey then took a fast traln
West. and announced en- route that he
had a seven weeks vaudeville engage
ment 20 fill The fighters manager FOL
lowed him to the coast and canceiet
the vaudeville engagement.
Since that time Dempsey has devoted
his time to asserting that he is Willing
to fight Wills, but that no one can die
tate TO him as to time. place or othel
conditions.
The Garden management is deserving
of more courtesy than they have re
ceived from the champion. 1t was Rick
ard who gave Dempsey the opportunity
to win the title from Willard. and 1t was
Rickard who, shouldering the entire risF
OF the Carpenter match when deserted
at the eleventh hour by his partners II
the enterprise, assured Dempsey of hi!
100000 guaranty.
Rickard and his associates lay M
claim to philanthropical motives. bu
they submit that they are entitled t.
common courtesy from one who ha'
profited so richly from their business
ventures.
1t may be Dempsey will discover
some other promoters to take the plac'
of the Garden officials. William A
Brady is on record with an offer o
S15O.000 for a Dempsey-Wills fight, ant
Floyd Fitzsimmons may raise the biz
TO 100000 If those figures are no
satisfactory Dempsey might perhaps In
quire Of the Garden management wha
they will give.
1t may be that Dempsey's rebuff L
the Garden officials was the result o
enlarged self-esteem, due to adulatioi
showered on him during his European
tour. Now that he is again on Ameri
can soil, the champion should try anC
remember that foreign laudation doe
not tend to increase his popularit!
here. That depends entirely on his con
duct in his native land.
wilson's Change OF Front.
The sudden determination of Johnny
Wilson and his ill-advised manager tt
keep a signed agreement to fight Harry
Greb in q title battle is peculiar to say
tte least. After protesting against VIII
son being forced to fight Greb, his man
ager makes a complete change Of from
and expresses desire for a match with
the Pittsburgher. In fact the manager
OF the so-called champion insists tha
C.reb is preferred as an opponent above
ai others. This is surprising shift or
tn, part OF the Wilson camp. and should
be Investigated before tho match i.
made.
II may be Wilson does not believ,
Greb can make the ,middleweight limi
oe $50 pounds and fight with customary
vigor. II is a well known fact tha
Greb's normal fighting weight is l6.
pounds. at which figure he fights like q
cageful of wildcats. IL is questionable
g he would be so full OF vigor II h'
reduced to 100 pounds. Yet he claims
he can do so. and he and his manager
should be able TO decide that point.
Another angle CT the case is reported
10 be Wilson's belief that he would b.
better off without the title. As th'
matter stands, he can defend his tlti
cnly against Greb. as the suspension
placed ON him by the New York Com
mission practically bars him from al
boxing centers. He Is said to fee
certain Of defeat at the hands OF Greb
and therefore may have decided 10 TAX,
clip on the chin at the first opportunity
Once free of the title Wilson would b,
reinstated and could resume boxing al
regular intervals. although for modes
compensation.