, 1923-07-13
BIC JESS GOES
DOWN AND OUT
Right Cross to the Jaw
Spells Disaster for
Former Champion.
NEW YORK. July 10

NEW YORK, July 80
By The Associated Press).-
Luis Firpo, from Argentina.
last night knocked out Jess
Willard of Kansas before the
crowd ever massed
at a ringside. and today was SHAKING
hin fist in the face of Chamn,on
Jack Dempsey n challenging his
right to the heavyweight crown of
the world.
ADD BIG JESS-SPORTS
h knockout came in the eighth
round. one minute and ffty-hve sec.
onds after the round began. Thu
South American rushed his heavier
opponent to the ropes with an at.
tack as furious as ever has been seen
in the ring. A right cross to the law
sent the giant Kansan to his knees
in his own corner and before he had
risen. tho fatal count Of 10 had been
given.
One" counted the referee.
Jess. his eyes bleared, gazed
straight downward at the resined
anvas
Two. three. four. frve."
Jess shook the sweat from his eyes
as a great Dane coming out Of the
water.
SIX.
For a moment II looked ~ n the
former champion. attempting the
greatest comeback in pugilistic his.
tory. might yet rise. Tho gameness
was there. but the terrific blows of
A>the ambitious youngster had done
ehAlr 4Aa41r @r4 -aA A. AIf--
giant shook his head.
Seven. eight. nine"
Jess raised a trembling hand for
the top rope in a final attempt to
pull himself to his feet. The hand
wavered and missed its mark.
Ten"
Jess was through-his comeback
had fai1ed-he left the ring for good.
Not a word did he utter. when re-
vived In his corner. He turned,
climbed down the steps and disap-
peared In the darkness toward his
dressing room.
And so. today. the sporting world
focused its attention on the dark
Drowned young giant with the black.
yellow and purple bath robe. who.
coming north from the Pampas about
IL months ago. battered his way to
the fore ranks OF heavyweights with
the tremendous siedgehammer blows
of his right asst.
Firpo this morning locked fondly
at the contract he had signed with
Promoter Tex Richard agreeing 20
Esht the champion. Last night he
had fought before an estimated crowd
Of lot. 900 and today he was looking
forward to the throng he would face
when he stepped into the ring in an
attempt to tear the laurels from the
head OF Dempsey.
Dempsey, victor over Tom Gibbons
by a decision only after his opponent
had gone the full is rounds at Shelby,
was not at the ringside last night.
He was on the Pacific coast. resting
after his only combat in W years
But his manager. Jack Kearns. was
present. and he told newspaper men
his protege was ready for Firpo any
time.
Labor Day7" some ons cried.
~Any time" And SO the world OF
sport now looks for negotiations
which again will match North and
South America in the ring.
Critics who have seen both Demp-
ney and Firpo in action, Indicated To-
day that should a match be arranged
this summer. their choice would be
the champion.
Dempsey. with his years In the
ring. is a master of f~isticuffs. has an
arsenal of blows. as varied as they
are powerful. He is still in mis-
prime. -,
\ Firpo, on the other hand. is still
green. His most powerful blow Is
still his right swing. His much
touted left. said to have been de-
veloped by his veteran trainer. Jimmy
DeForrest. hardly whipped out once
last night. and then it had no sting.
He still rushes to the attack. leaving
vulnerable spots unguarded.
willard did more than OF his pre-.
vious opponents in holding his wicked
right in check. but even the former
champion weakened when once 1t got
through his defense. Had h a
sas giant fought anything but a de.
fensive battle, a different tale might
be told.