Evening star., 1923-07-04
LESS THAN 10000
IN SHELBY TO SEE
F|ST|C TITLE BOUT
Town, Hope of Big Crowd
Gone, Cheers for Glib
bonS Victory.
LAST PREPARATIONS
COMPLETE FOR FIGHT
Both Men in Pink of Condition as
Hour for Bell Draws
Nearer.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
SHELBY, Mont, July 4-On edge as
the heavyweight title bout between Jack
Dempsey and Tom Gibbons nears its
desires today.
One is to see Tom Gibbons win. The
challenger is an overwhelming favorite
with the townspeople. with whom he
has been fraternizing during his train
ing here the last three weeks Almost
to a man they will be cheering for him
this afternoon.
But II there is anything Shelby would
prefer to see, aside from a victory for
Gibbons, 1t is a record-breaking crowd
at the arena. From present indications
the wish is to remain unfulfilled.
Only 10000 Expected.
While the streets were crowded last
night. liberal estimates placed the at
tendance figures for today at 10000
persons. Optimistic fans were predict
Ing more than that. but fight officials
and residents who have witnessed the
heartbreaking struggle waged to keep
the fight here and the recent uncertainty
surrounding the staging of the bout
thought the number might be even less.
A clear sky and blazing sun greeted
Shelby this morning. The crowded
fight-boom town was astir early and
streets were filling up rapidly.
Fight headquarters was packed with
information and tickets during the
morning. The ticket statesmen moved
out to the big arena west of town
early this morning. however, and the
pasteboards were being sold from
there.
The fight plans have tapered down
to the most minute details today. An
nouncement was made last night that
the bout will be held under straight
Marquis of --Queensberry rules. This
will mean the boxers will be under
the Injunction. protect yourself at
all times"
The local boxing commi ssion, which
had considered variation of the rules,
made only two tentative decisions. it
was announced. The chancery hold
and hitting in a clinch will be barred
and the backhand punch will not be
permitted, OfhcialS said.
21-Foot Ring.
The ring, which was initiated late
yesterday with boxing show, will
measure twenty-one feet square
Tightening OF the ropes, after they
were strung, widened the square one
foot each way. 1t was originally
planned to make the ring twenty feet
square.
Gibbons, in top form after three
strenuous weeks of training. went
for a short walk yesterday, attended
a rodeo show last night, and spent the
rest of the day at home with his
family.
The challenger is confident of vic
tory. He declared he would have no
alibis to offer If he lost the bout; that
he had fought for three years for a
chance to battle for the heavyweight
crown, and that he was in the best
condition of his ring career.
Pink of Condition.
Bronzed by the sun and full of en-
ergy. Gibbons appears to be at the
height of physical perfection. He will
enter the ring weighing 178 pounds.
mis- manager, Euule name, sdlu
Gibbons will be seconded by Eddie
Kane, Bud German and Jimmy De-
laney. two of his sparring partners,
and Buck Pape. his trainer.
Before entering the ring Gibbons is
expected to adhere to his usual GUS
tom of warming up in his dressing
room. The challenger believes three
or four rounds of shadow boxing be-
fore bout send the blood racing
through his veins, makes a knockout
more difficult and recuperation from
blows easier.
To Examine Both.
The two fighters will be examined
shortly before noon today. Gibbons
physical condition will be determined at
his home by a committee OF physicians
and Dempsey will undergo an exami-
nation in his private car as soon as he
arrives here.
Gibbons breakfast this morning con-
sisted of eggs and toast, and he plan
ned to eat nothing else before the bout.
While her husband Is fighting. Mrs.
Gibbons expects to take an automobile
ride out of earshot of the arena. She
will return early enough to receive the
verdict by special messenger from the
ringside.
.- DEMPSEY ON WAY.