Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-14
RIVAL Big PUCS
Confident ON EVE
HEAVY TITLE BOUT

New York. Sept. II (By the Asso-
ciated Prc:s) Pre- battle declara-
tions of confidence in their conquer
ing ability were flung out tonight
by Jack Dempsey and Luis Angel
t'irpo.
Statements of the fighters. togeth-
er with those of their rival men
tors-Horatio Lava'lc, Firro's dap
per Argentine trainer, and Jack
Kcarns, the champions manager.
follow:
Jack Dempsey: Il have trained
hard for this match because / expect
it will be tough one. | do not pay
any attention to those who expect
Firpo will be an easy opponent. l
am not holding him lightly. but l
do not fear him. I'irpo is big and
strong end dangerous. They are all
dangerous until YOU lave them on
the floor. ! am in good condition
and If beaten will have no alibis TO
offer. Ii | can end the fight in one
round III do it, because | can't take
any chances with him. Perhaps the
tight Will go farther than many eX-
pect because Firpo probably can
take q lot of punishment. I'll give
him plenty of chances to demon
st"Gte this. because | intend to sock
as hard as l can from the start, but
not take any early risks myself He
is too dangerous with his right
hand"
Luis Angel Firpo: Il am in good
shape; | feel like fighting as l never
have before. In the arena there will
be many voices raised against me /;
some will be shouting for me. In
far off countries where Latin tong
ues are spoken they will be expect
ing me to win. | am confident; 1
I'm not afraid If ! am knocked
down again and again l will come
up again and again. There Will be
no towels tossed from my corner
l don't think Jack Dempsey can
beat me and I don't think that he
can stand up under my punches.
/ came to the United States to win
the worlds title; l conquered every
man that stood on the road to the
big test. On my body there are no
scars of these battles; in my heart
d. there is no fear of any living thing.
l think | will conquer Dempsey"
Jack kearns: Dempsey is in
great shape and ready for the
toughest fight of his life. l am con-
fident that he is going to win and do
it as quickly as possible. He is too
speedy for Firpo and is better
puncher He'll step around SO fast
Firpo won't know what it's all alb
out. If the champion can bit Firpo
squarely the fight will not so the
limit, no matter how big and strong
Firpo is. Jack realizes that F'irpo
is big and strong and probably will
he tough. Well, he'll be in for a
tough evening because Jack is het-
ting faster. more accurately and
harder than he was when he fought
Tommy Gibbons last July. That
fight really put him on edge. He
needed it to get into shape for this
ces with this big fellow because we
think he is dangerous. The crowd
will see a slashing fight if Firpo is
in as good shape as they say he is"
Horatio Lavalle: I'VE have the
fullest confidence in Firro our
gladiator. He is no ordinary man.
Perhaps he will be hit many times,
but his great fighting heart will be
like a great power station, replen-
ishing instantaneously any power
that may be taken by the chamri-
on's blows. We feel that victory
will be ours. Come what may Firpo.
after the battle. will be called the
fighting man of the ages"