New Britain herald., 1923-01-29
RICHARD MAY SIGN DEMPSEY THIS WEEK
Famous Promoter Expects 10.
 Book Champion for Title Bout

New York, Jan. ss.-TeN Riekar,
 will sign Jack Dempsey to a eentFae
 for a hont in defense Of the NaFldi
 heavyweight title before another weel
 has passed, unless unexpected ahsla
 eles neeessitate a change in the Madi
 son Square Garden promoters plans
 Riekard yesterday declared his inteRr
 ton Of signing Dempsey to hindinl
 contract without delay in order tf
 forestall rival bidders and eliminate
 unnecessary delay and discussion or
 the subject Of just what are the
 worlds heavyweight champions ring
 plans for the immediate future,
 Riekard plans to sign Dempsey
 through the iitle-holder's manager,
 Jack Kearns, this week. The promoter
 has . conditional agreement with
 Kearns and Dempsey which prevents
 the title.holder from signing with any Nval promoter before "Wednesday,
 n,vMard expects before the expiration
 of this agreement. to have pemnsey's signature 10 contract which will bind
 the champion to box any heavyweight
 contender for the title who. in the
 opinion of Riekard. measures up 10
 the standard required Of rival for the worlds heavyweight champion. The opponent, place and date will not
 be specified in the document 10 be signed. according 10 Riekard.
 Rickard and Kearns are scheduled to confer again today. The promoter made this announcement Tt the Garden yesterday and it was later confirmed by Kearns. at Dempsey's headquarters in the Hotel Belmont. At this conference Rickard expects to smooth out whatever rough spots ap- pear in the path to Dempseys signing n contract. According to the promoter he will make no effort to sign Kearns today, unless the champions manager insist on afflxing his signature to a contract to stine any insincere bids which may crop up.
 Plans Bout for June 20
 Rickard would not commit himself | definitely on who would be Dempsey's | rival. The promoter admits he favors Jess Willard, former holder of the title. as the man to face the champion in Dempseys first bout since the memorable Georges Carpenter battle eighteen months ago. As he has re- peatedly asserted from the time he first started negotiations for a Demp- sey bout Rickard plans to hold the contest in his arena in Jersey City on June 30, unless developments cause him to change his plans.
 Rickard favors Willard because the | promoter thinks the former champion C 1f and because Willard, according to Rickard, stands out as the only white heavyweight capable of giving Demp- sey a real battle. Rickard further professes confidence in the ability of Willard to regain a state and physical preparedness which would equip the tall Kansan to give Dempsey a rough time of it while the men are in the ring.
 Rickard emphasized, however, that the naming of an opponent for Demp- sey is not necessarily confined to Will : lard. The promoter said he would not include Harry Wills in the champions list of possible opponents for a bout in June, preferring to await the out come of Dempseys first match before
 
 contest. Rickard declared that if any other heavyweight is developed from the ranks of those frequently mentioned as prospective contenders- ' Luis Firpo, Floyd Johnson, Tom Gib- bons or any one else-the boxers i qualifications would be carefully con { sidered. On this detail, as with the place and date Richard said he want ed plenty of time to arrange his plans l and insure himself against interfer- z ence from any quarter. |
 Kearns Ready to Sign t
 Kearns declared his readiness to sign a contract with Rickard in con- 2 irming the announcement of the con- 2 terence scheduled for this afternoon. I The champions manager, however. g ldded that he still is open to propos- I ions from any promoters who demon- ,trate their eiity in bidding for services by depositing sub- n tantial sums of money. Ke2rns indi- l ,ated that unless cash or certified a .hecks accompany whatever offers . .ome to his attention in advance of he actual signing, the propositions will not receive serious consideration.
 Everybody seems anxious to bid or Dempsey's services. but none of he various bidders seem eager to ,ost substantial money forfeit as ,uarantee of good faith" said Kearns Unless I see a money deposit with my offer that comes before me l am ,oing to ignore the offer. I have not ct signed contract with anybody expect to see Rickard tomorrow. If e has a proposition that appeals to ne will sign without delay. I must ign soon for bout against Willard, Wills or any of the others, because l yant to get the champions affairs out so that we will know ust what the future holds for us. I ave offers for exhibition work and it possible that some theatrical or loving picture work will develop and want to be in a position either to ccept or reject this other business. nless I know whether Dempsey is ping to box I will not be able to give efinite answers to others who are ,eking his services"
 Kearns stated that in the event that empsey is signed this week to a )ntract for bout the champion will ake arrangements to leave the city 1d begin the task of conditioning mself. Kearns said Dempsey would -obably go to Long Branch or Lake ood when his future ring affairs are settled.