The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-06-30
DEMPSEY AGREES
To FIGHT WILLS
NEXT SUMNER R
Richard Says Arrangements Re-
quire IL Months
CHALLENGER is A NEGRO
Likely to be a Warm Contest as
to Where the Fight
Will be Staged
CHALLENGER is A NEGRO

New York, June 29.-F1rst steps III
negotiations which 1t IS believed
eventually will bring Jack Dempsey
and Harry Wills, Negro pugilist, into
the ring for titular march for the
heavyweight crown, were taken today
when Dempsey formally accepted
Wills's challenge.
This acceptance was announced by
the New York state boxing commits
sion. This body officially acknowl-
edged receipt OF the challenge and
deposit of $2500 and later issued a
proclamation stating that, unless
Dempsey, before July 10, accepted un'
der reasonable conditions. his title
would be declared forfeited as far as
New York state boxing territory was
involved
In accepting the challenge, Demp
sey, through his manager, Jack
Kearns, requested that conference
between the principals be held soon
so that conditions governing the pro
posed bout might be considered.
No date for this conference was
mentioned in the statement issued by
the boxing commission, but 1t Is un
derstood the managers OF the two
heayyweghts VIII meet and arrange
the necessary preliminary details
within the next week or 10 days.
The secretary OF the boxing com
mission in Issuing the formal state
ment. said that IL the match did no
appeal TO promoters and there were
no bids for such a contest. Dempsey
having fulfilled his part OF. The con
tract by accepting the challenge
would remain in possession Of th'
title in New York state. II, however
the boxer should refuse what the box
ing commission considered a reason
able offer, both would lose thei
status.
Manager Mullins speaking 70
Wills. said that he desired a bout be
fore fall. but such appeared improt
able. Tex Rickard, the promote
from whom, It is understood, bot
lheavyweights expect an offer, state
emphatically that he would not be In
terested In a contest before next sun
mes.
1T IS entirely too late" he sait
"to attempt to stage a bout OF thl
caliber his year.
In order TO meet the terms G
Dempsey and Wills 1t would be necei
sary to hold match In the open al
and make numerous arrangement
for handling a huge crowd OF specti
tors AS result OF my experience
in the Johnson-Jeffries, DempseyW
lard and Dempsey.Carpentier bouts,
know II would Require fully 81
months to properly prepare th
arena and boxers for this contest
Il would not consider bidding fC
the match unless the boxers woul
agree to delay their meeting unit
D the summer
II is also doubtful whether Il
D pugilists actually expect to meet
? side of II months.
Q Dempsey has stated that he r
= Quires several huilding-up match'
; before he is ready to risk his tit
!, against such a formidable contend,
k as the black pantheZ He is unde
l. stood to be considering MATCHES wi
!. Bill Brennan, Jesse Willard al
:. Harry Greb, and while not all the
/. contests would be OF championsh
I callber, they would lead In trainll
> and combat to preparation for clai
J. with Wills.
d As far as Is known, the Neg
J. heavyweight has no prospeCtiN
d matches in sight at present