The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-09-15
CHAMP HITS ROPES

Rickard Ready to Stage An
other-Firpo-D Dempsey
Battle Next Summer
New York, Sept. 15.-Jack Dempsey
and Luis Firpo fought last night for
the heavyweight crown of the world
as two cavemen in prehistoric days
might have battled on the edge OF a
cliff and Flrpo lost.
But he lost like q man fighting to
the last gasp, more glorious in de.
tory. Knocked out in three minutes
and 81 seconds of the most furious
fighting ever recorded in ring his.
tory in which he was floored seven
times, but managed to send the cham.
pion crashing clean through the rope
after battering him to his knees, the
sturdy son Of the Argentine still
gazes with determined eyes on the
crown which Dempsey barely saved
by right upper cut which stretched
Firpo on his back.
"In year I'll be back again." he
declared when lifted to his feet by
the man who had floored him, and
had staggered uncertainty to his
dressing room.
Losing fighters have made that
statement before and been laughed
at for their pains, but not so with
Luis. A vast majority Of the $4,000
who witnessed the battle belie> ed him
and Tex Rickard who put on the
fight declared he was ready 70 stage
another Firpo- Dempsey battle next
summer or match the. Argentine to-
morrow against Harry Wills, hard
hitting negro. fighter, who has been
itching for fight with Dempsey,
Most Dramatic
The battle last, night was perhaps
the most dramatic ins s4hs .listory 81
pusilism. sven sclipsing the terrific
fray In Toledo in 1919 when Demps ~
tore the laurels from the blood;- head
of Jess Willard.
Into less, than four minutes was
crammed more action than is usual
ly spread in Is rounds.
The crowd realized that they were
gazing upon no ordinary boxers; they
were witnessing an elemental, grip
ping, nerve-shaksng battle, between
two on-hearted men to whom the
verb "to quit" was unknown.
At the gong both fighters flew at
one another like tigers. Dempsey
hurled himself across the ring. slip
ping to his knee in his hurry which
carried Fifpo to the rope. Then a
right to the body and left to the
jaw and the challenger crashed to
the canvas.
A short count and Firpo again was
on his feet. His eyes shown with the
fire of battle as he lunged.
Dempsey stood his ground. For the
second and third time he knocked his
heavier opponent to the floor. Firpo's
mouth gushed blood but though stun
ned he was far from out. He drove
q sledge hammer blow right into
Dempsey's ribs with a THUG that
could have been heard a block away,
but the champions ribs weathered the
blow and he returned to the attack
with fury that sent Firpo to the
floor for the fourth time. A few sec-
onds and he was down again, this
time in Dempsey's corner and it
seemed as if he could not arise
again.
Thought Fray Ended
The champion stepped over the
fallen body of his adversary looking
as if he thought the fray had ende |,
but it hadn't. With the count of nine
the South American was on his feet
again and rushed at his rival. It was
stupendous, staggering rush that
sent Dempsey to his knees. JACK
rose battered but game.
But Firpo was at him in an in
stant. He sent a right swing that
landed squarely on Dempsey's jaw.
The crowd, crazed by the drama it
was witnessing, saw. Dempsey dash
out Of the ring and out of the ropes
landing flat on his back on the press
benches.
In an instant he was back, but
groggy, his legs quivered. He was
pale. But Dempsey had fought more
battles than the daring youngster
from Argentine and his strategy
saved him. He fell promptly into &
clinch until his brain ceared.
Frpo Unable to Land
Had Firpo then been able to land
one Of his staggering rights differ
ent story might be told, but he was
unable to follow his advantage before
the bell tolled. Before walking to his
corner Dempsey cut the South Amer.
lean several times about the head
but the referee appeared not to no.
tice it.
The crowd was quite unable to re.
cover -from the thrill of the first
round when the fightera were at II
again, fighting like wild men. Neithe,
fighter thought Of putting up de-
fensive fight. Each was out to wir
Immediately, to crowd all their
chances into the first few rounds.
: Once, twice more, Dempsey sent
the Argentine crashing to the floor
but when it seemed impossible fol
the fallAn giant to rise, he was or
his feet again. And then the knock
out.
The Knockout y,
A left to the body, 4 trcmendou,
tConttpuo6 on paGo %