The New York herald., 1922-07-12
Satisfies Local Boxing Com
mission Which Forced Him
to Sign Up.
BOUT NOW OPEN FOR BIDS
Rickard Will Seek Battle AZ
ter They Fight Themselves
Into Condition.
By CHARLES F. MATHIsoN.

Jack Dempsey heavyweight cham
pion of the world. and Harry Wills.
who casts a dark. six feet three inch
shadow across the pathway of the
Title holder. yesterday signed an agree
ment by the terms of which they will
settle their differences with six ounce
gloves instead of the verbal uppercuts
that have been flying so thickly for
the last week.
Dempsey. through his manager Jack
Monday to box Harry Wills for the
heavyweight championship of the
world. but p. j. Mullins. not being sat
isfied with the terms of the document.
withheld his signature and slept over
the proposal. When Mullins arrived
at the Kearns Office yesterday after
noon he was still in an obdurate frame
of mind. and the discussion between
him and Kearns was loud and vehe-
ment. Finally. friend of Mullins took
him to quiet corner and said:
''You are making a serious mistake
by refusing to sign this agreement. 1t
is merely a formal notification to the
public that your man is willing to meet
Dempsey in the ring. 1t will satisfy the
commission, as you will be acceding to
the requirements Of that body. The in
stant you put your name to the paper
Wills will become an important figure
in the world of pugilism. and the fact
that he is matched to box the heavy
weight champion of the world viii
bring him sharply to the attention Of
boxing enthusiasts all over the world
The time for you to exercise your argu-
mentative powers will be when a pro-
moters bid is considered.
Welcome All Bids
Mullins then signed his name to the
paper. After this ceremony the cam
eramen became active and photographed
Mullins and Kearns shaking hands and
smiling as though they were the best
OF friends. AS the case stands. the
match now Is open for bids. and as soon
an offer has been accepted the prin-
cipals and promoter will sign articles
OF agreement covering all the condi-
tions for the ring engagement Under
the agreement the time and place for
the contest are to be mutually agreed
to by the parties to the contract.
1t is set forth that the contest must
take place within a period Of sixty days
from the date of acceptance OF bid from
the successful promoter.
IL Is also agreed that peding the life
OF this contract DEMPSEY and Wills may
engage In bouts with other boxers.
When Kearns was asked how much
time Dempsey would require to At him
self for q contest with wills, he replied
Thirty days would be suficient. He
is in splendid physical condition and
would be ready to enter the ring after
four weeks of work"
Tex Richard Not I'm q Hurry.
When Tex Richard was asked ~ he
would put In a bid he said he probably
would but not in the immediate future.
II will be good idea for the boys to
hight themselves into good condition
by bout or two, and I fail to see
how Dempsey could do better than
take on Jess Willard for bout
I have heard great deal Of talk
about Willard being out OF condition
and fat. Such is not the case. On
the contrary. he Is In excellent condi-
ton and he will give a better account
OF himself than he did at Toledo"
Dempsey and Kearns, now that the
agreement has been signed. will start
for Canada where they have a two
weeks engagement to FILL
Wills for the present will continue
his work as stevedore, but It Is ex-
pected he will get some lucrative en-
Eagements and will be billed as the
man who may take the title away from
Dempsey
Mullins sexpressed himself as satisfied
with the outcome OF the negotiations
and said he felt confident the Boxing
Commission would protect him against
any injustice In the final arrangements
for the contest.
Chairman Muldoon said last night
he was glad the principals had some
to terms. and he felt sure the match
would be completed in a manner that
would be perfectly fair to champion
and challenger.