The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-15
BY LUIS ANGEL FIRPo AS TOLD
 TO WILLIAM SlAVENS M,NUTT

TO WILLIAM SLAVENS M'NUTT
 DRESSING ROOM, POLO GROUNDS N. Y, Sept. 14.--I fought and I lost. l can say 10 more. But no man who saw me fail can say that I did not fight. In the first round after had been knocked down five times l knocked Jack Dempsey the cham pion of the world, through GAe ropes. When he crawlei back irto the ring l staggered him and almost had him out, The crowd which saw me fight and fail also saw me knock the champion of the world through the ropes into the press box and nearly knocked him out later.
 Before the fight 1 said that if I were knocked down l would get up and fight, I did as I said. 1 got up five times In the first round and fought back. The American cham pion was knocked through the ropes and was nearly out. In the second round again l was knocked down and again l rose and fought. Then came the finish.
 Jacks Bones Crushed
 The crushing blows of Dempsey that beat with such fearful force upon my face and body finally beat me to the canvas in such state of agony that I could net rise. + you will ask any man who sat near and saw, he will tell you that l stroye to rise ana fight on as 1 had promised. Nothing Of flesh and blood coud have risen after the punishment that l received. I admit that the blows of Dempsey were harder than thought any man could deliver, but 1 believe also that Dempsey will admit that the blows of Luis Firpo were harder than he thought any man could deliver. I lost but even my worst enemy will not say that I did not prove that I was entitled to a chance at the championship ,and 1 feel sure that no man will say that do not deserve vet another chance when l have had more experience
 T am heartbroken, but not broken of spirit. No, I told the American people through their newspapers that 1 would wish to have waited year before l fought Dempsey, that l might have had more experience. When the proper time has passed 1 will ask that I again have the chance to fight Dempsey for the great honor of being heavyweight champion of the world. I will learn and develop. Next time I believe that can accom- plish the task l so nearly finished to- Aight
 A Great Champion.
 Dempsey is a great champion of the world. l am heartbroken, but not ashamed to have been beaten by so great a fighter. 1 am a little proud to have come so near defeating him. l shall be grateful proud some day to finish the work that l could not finish tonight. 1 feel that I am beaten but not disgraced, and 1 feel that In time I will be entitled to a chance to erase whatever of dis grace attaches to my short but furi- oIs attempt of tonight to wrest the heavyweight crown from the head of perhaps the greatest fighter who ever wore it. I think, too. that any one who saw the fight tonight will agree that If l do win the crown from Dempsey at some future time it will not have passed into the keep ing of one unworthy to wear it..
 T go to Canada soon for a short automobile trip, then soon also to the Argentine. Ny plans beyond that l do not know. I fought and failed but l am not ashamed. think that now the critics of Luis Firpo can never again say that he is not a fighter. Luis Firpo took the blows of Demp- sey and then knocked the champion of the world through the ropes, re- member that please. l have tasted the bitter medicine of defeat but l am confident the time will come when my palate shall know the de- light of the cup of victory"