Evening star., 1923-09-15

Losing fighters have made that
statement before, and been laughed at
Tor their pains. but not so with Luis.
\ vast majority of the $4,000 who
witnessed the battle believed him, and
Tex Rickard, the man who put on
the fight, declared he was ready to
stage another Firpo- Dempsey battle
next summer, or match the Argentine
tomorrow against Harry Wills, the
hard hitting negro who has been itch
ing for a fight with Dempsey.
'F'irpo is not done for yet" asserted
Rickard. He will be heard from
again. He is a big, strong young fell
low and terrific tighter"
Most Dramatic of All Bouts.
The battle was perhaps the most
dramatic in the history of pugillsm,
even eclipsing the terrific fray in
the laurels from the bloody head of
Jess willard. Into less than four
minutes was crammed more action
than usually is spread over fifteen
rounds. The crowd realized they were
gazing upon no ordinary boxers; they
We're witnessing an elemental grip
ping, nerve-shaking battle between
two great lion-hearted fighting men,
10 whom the verb ito quit" was un-
known.
The challenger made as inconspicu-
Gus entry as could be effected in his
staggering bathrobe of purple, gold
and black. He slipped into the arena
while the last round of the last pre-
1iminary was wearing to its tire
some finish and dropped into front
row seat surrendered to him by
spectator.
He was first into the ring. 4 burst
of applause greeted him. No flicker of
emotion slipped across his face
Jack Gets Hearty Welcome.
\ minute later Dempsey jumped
II, white
trunks. a white sweater buttoned over
his shoulders. He was d buoyant
Dempsey; laughing confident Demp-
sey; a Dempsey far different from the
champion who two years ago, with
worried glanceS from side to side,
stepped into the ring in Jersey City to
face the renowned Georges Carpenter
of France. He received a laundering
welcome.
Luis sat in his corner, as watchful
as a beast of the jungle with combat
impending. He scowled as Dempsey
took his corner. Not for moment did
he take those keen dark eyes from
the face of the champion. His han
dlers loosed deafening volume of ad-
vice, but TiTpo never heard them.
Jack sGuattinE on his stool with an
army blanket draped across his knees,
east SidelOnE glanceS at the crowd,
while his seconds rubbed his muscles
and fondled his ears as trainer
might CaGeSS q TdCtiloISc. oiiSf iAS
Jumped from his stool and danced up
and down in his corner to timber his
leg muscles.
Then champion and challenger were
called tothe center of the ring Tor
conference, conference protracted
by Firpo's need of an Interpreter.
They grew restless as technicalities
were eXpounded to them.
Then the gong.
Start in Like SavageS.
The fighters few at one another like
saYageS. Dempsey hurled himself
across the ring. slipping to one knee
with the fury Of his rush, which car
ried the South American against the
ropes. Then right to the body and
q left to the jaw and the challenger
crashed to the canvas.
A short count and Firpo again was
on his feet. His eyes shOne with
the fire of battle as he lunged at the
man who had felled him.
Dempsey stood his. ground. For
the second and third times he
Knocked his heavier opponent to the
floor Firpo's mouth gushed blood,