San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-03
To
|SEEk REPEAL
| Of FIGHT Law
lew. York Senator Who In
troduced Bill Is Peeved
at Commission.
WILLS BOUT BANNED
empsey's Money-grabbins
Methods Prompted Ac-
ton Of Muldoon.
WILLS BOUT BANNED

sew York. Feb. 3.-Repeal OF the
ate boxing law will be sought in event
lie State Athletic Commission bars the
orlds heavyweight title bout between
hampton Jcck Dempsey aud Harry
ills negro challenger, Senator James
Walker, author of the present legisla-
% permitting professional boxing, an
bsuced Saturday. ...
While app i:g ally actioa forbid
ng a Dempsey-Willard contest, Sena'
Walker declared that the Wills
atrh could not be banned for dis
Elimination Of "race, creed or color,
for commercialism.
Il regard a Dempsey-Wills bout as
clean contest between two athletes
recognized ability" he said.
Jack Dempsey's chances of defending
$ heavyweight title this year, at least
New York state, seemed reduced to
minimum as result of the decision
William Muldoon, chairman Of the
late commission, not TO permit contests
it'll the two men regarded as leading
Iallengers, Wills and Willard.
Too Much Money Wanted.
Excessive financial demands by Demp.
y's manager, Jack KearnS, and alleged
mmercialistic methods employed by
omoters seeking to stage one or both
the bouts, Mr.. Muldoon declared,
ompted his attitude. Staging OF a
empsey-Wills or Dempsey-Willard
but in New York state, be said would
detrimental to the boxing game.
On the surface it appeared that Null
(on's edict would eliminate the only
finite fight proposition now being
nsidered by Dempsey-an offer by
pm O'Rourke, Polo Grounds match
aker. for bouts this summer with
ills and Joe Beckett.
Kearns has promised TO give
Rourke an answer Monday. IL it is
jceted O'Rourke said today he would
axe no further bid for a Dempsey
bitch.
Muldoori's attitude toward Wills came
a surprise TO boxing circles because
the commissioners previous insist
o. that the negro's challenge, which
suited in the signing of a tentative
reement with Dempsey six months
o, be recognized. He pointed out.
viewer. that no promoter had shown
IN bona fide proposal for wills
pmpsey match and that he would re-
I'd the negro's challenge as eliminated
nm further consideration. No racial
estion, he emphasized, however, was
Folved in his decision.
Willard Not Discouraged?
AZ
10 has been in New York for several
eks seeking to sign with Dempsey,
Kearns appeared discouraged by. OBJ
Giles set in the path of heavyweight
II matches this year.
Kearns reiterated his desire for bouts
th both Wills and Willard and hint
that an effort might be made to
&C one or both at Tia Iuana. just
.oss the California border. II not
,cassful in signing for fight. he
Il Dempsey might turn to motion
lures for occupation.
Willard. after resting for several
IS as a result Of n mild case Of grippe.
.aged. Friday afternoon in n. siren
BIS gymnasium workout. He an
lrced he would go ahead with plans
countrywide exhibition tour and
ssibly a match or two with other
hvyweight contenders in an effort 70
bve his fitness for a return bout with
mpsey.
Tex Richard. who withdrew from the
Id of bidders for n title match be-
use of his belief that the public was
ready now to support any particular
test. emphasized today that his &C.
b applied only to the present situa-
n.
Richard added that his decision
nd not alter plans he had made TO
tch Dempsey with Luis Firpo. South
erican heavyweight champion. il
Argentinian defeated Bill Brennan
match scheduled at Madison Square
rden March IL.