The New York herald., 1922-06-30
DEMPSEY ACCEPTS
WILLS'S CHALLENGE
Writes Through Jack Kearns
Asking Negroes Manager to
Call and Sign Up.
MILLER APPROVES FIGHT
MILLER APPROVES FIGHT
Favors Best Man, White or
Black'-Promotion Privilege
Goes to Highest Bidder.

JACK dempsey, heavyweight CRAM
pion of the world, yesterday accepted
the challenge of Harry Wills, leading
contender for the title, and announced
himself ready to talk terms for a
battle. This was the first definite
move made In a proposition which
has been before Dempsey and the
boxing public for more than year.
ever since the negro challenger came
to the fore with quick victory over
Fred Fulton in Newark.
Now that Dempsey Is ready to fight
Wills and has eliminated the color line
and the suspicion that the followers
of boxing in this country did not care
to see the title holder ehter the ring
with a negro antagonist 1t may be
assumed that the men virtually are
matched. Jack Kearns, manager of the
champion, said yesterday that he ex-
pected merry scramble for the priv
ilege of staging the battle.
When Gov. Miller was asked about the
fight he replied. May the best man
vinr
How do you feel about a negro fight
ing white man?"
II can see no objection to IT, said tho
Governor. II am in favor of the best
man. white or black
Mullins Eager to Sign.
Dempsey accepted the challenge
through l{earns. who ssnt a written
statement to William Muldoon. chair
man of the New York State Boxing
Commission. Kearns not only indicated
the willingness of the champion to meet
Wills, but to assure such an encounter
he suggested to p j. Mullins. manager
OF Wills. a time and place for the sign
ing OF articles Of agreement. Kearns
had suggested Madison Square Garden
as a desirable location for the confer
ence. but in his letter to the commission
office at 1866 Broadway to complete the
match.
When Mullins was notified of the ac-
ton of Kearns he said: II am ready to
sign articles as soon as a meeting can
be arranged. and / have no objection
to going TO the office Of kearns to CON-
plete arrangements for the contest. The
sooner the articles are signed and tn ,
boys begin training the better will /
like It."
When Muldoon was asked II he was
satisfied with ting acceptance by Demp-
sey he replied
"Assuredly. 1t was just what ex-
pected of the champion and I am we'll
satisfied. In fact nearly all the title
holders are getting in line with the pol
icy OF the commission. and champion
ship contests soon will be all the
fashion.
Bidding Open to All.
In ono particular this match will
differ from others, and that is in the
matter of the selection of n promoter.
The procedure in recent matches has
been TO arrange with one promoter ana
not give the others a chance to bid. In
the present instance the men will ayr 20
on conditions for the contest. sign arti-
cles or agreement and post forfeits of
5000 each to guarantee appearance, IN
tne ring. Naturally the exact date of
the encounter will not be set down in
the articles. for the promoter would
need TO have something to say about
that essential.
The articles no doubt would set
forth that the men would meet in the
ring between certain dates, and the
promoter would be required TO name
period In the interval of which he will
guarantee to put the contest In the ring
Having made the match by sign
Ing articles and posting forfeits an
nouncement will then be made that the
promotion OF the bout will 20 to the
highest bidder. No doubt there are
several promoters throughout the country
who will want to put In bid. and Il
will be up to Kearns and Mullins Ia
slit them and pick out the best one.'
Rickard Insists Upon Delay.
When Tex Rickard was made ac-
quainted with the situation he said he
would not be bidder unless the
fighters consented 20 postpone the con-
test until next summer. Rickard re-
iterated his declaration. made several
days ago. that IL would not be possible
20 prepare for so important a contest
inside OF six to eight months.
Kearns also recently declared that
Dempsey would need several prepara-
tory fights TO assure good condition for
the title contest.
Muldoon. speaking unofficialIy, made
a suggestion to Dempsey that the cham
pion may be induced to act on.
Dempsey. who takes good care of
himself" said Muldon. 'is In splendid
health and strength at the present time.
But he Is not IN fighting form. There
IL simple and effective method by
which he could set himself into first
class fighting condition II is absurd
to even talk Of championship matches
between Dempsey and men like Greb,
Brennan. Willard, Martin and others.
Yet II the champion met these men in
handicap matches the interest In the
contests would be great.
For example, Dempsey could make a
match with Greb. under the conditions
OF which the champion would undertake
to stop Greb In n six, eight OF ten
round limit. If Dempse-. failed to stop
his man IL would be ~ much glory
for Greb and Dempsey would not lose
his title"
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