The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-14
Fridays Battle To Be Greatest
 Test OF Fighters

and punch tomorrow night in the greatest test of their careers-a battle of the continents" in which that greatest prize of the ring, the heavyweight championship of the world will be at stake.
 The American holder of the title, king in the squared circle for the past four years, will go into the con- flict with his bronzed. grim visaged South American adversary an over whelming favorite, to win decisive ly Those who have followed the meteorlc rise of Firpo, his climb from obscurity to fame, fortune and the position of foremost challenger in year and a half, believe that the mighty right" that has thrust aside all opposition heretoroe, may upset calculations and bring triumph to the Wild Bull of the Pampas."
 Attracting the greatest interest of any international encounter for ring honors since the Dempsey -Carpentier battle two years ago, the 15round title match at the Polo Grounds home of the New York Giants to- morrow night promises to rival as a spectacle that historic struggle in which the champion vanquished his rival from France.
 A throng of more than 900O0 will pay approximately $1,340,000 to wit ness the fight, according to Tex Rickard.
 The promoter declared tonight that revised figures of builders who erected vast temporary additions to the field showed a total of 90,374 seats. He predicted that every one of these would be occupied and that suf- ficient standing room would be filled to swell this total by thousands.
 riV record attendance of approximately 1000 at the Dempsey -Carpentier bout in Boyles' Thirty acres, but the gate" even at it's maximum, will not be able to eclipse the record of $1,6O0,0O0 set by the battle of the century"
 The promoter announced that but few thousand unreserved seats re- mained unsold tonight most of them of $16.50 and $22, denominations with a few of the ringside pasteboards at $27 50. The cheaper reserved sections were sold out. When the gates to the arena are opened at 4:30 o'clock to- seats at $3.30 each will be put on sale.
 Meantime, however. tickets spe- culators were reported to be doing a thriving business; despite the com bined efforts of federal. state and local officials to check their activ- ities. Ringside seats were said to be available in the theatrical district at prices ranging from $50 to $l5O a price.
 Something of furry in ticket circles had been aroused by reports that counterfeiter managed to get some bogus pasteboards on the mar ket Every effort, however, was be- ing made to trace these tickets.
 The influx of fans from all parts of the country, as well as from many parts of the globe, early this eve hing had crowded larger hotels close to their capacity, with indications that tomorrow would witness an even greater inpouring of ring followers. They came from lands as far away as Australia-men, and many women, from all walks of life. Blase fistic followers will rub elbows at the ringside with diplomats and figures prominent in the world of society and finance.
 Wagering on the outcome of the fight which so far has been com paratively light, gained impetus, with the arrival of thousands from out of town. The confidence of the majority of Dempseys ability to win was reflected in the odds, which llengthened, with several large wagers at three to one that he would be the victor. One bet of $l5,000 to $5, 1000 was reported at these figures. Among numerous odd wagers was one at even money. $1,500 each, that Firpo would at least knock Demp- sey down for count. The fighters, resting in seclusion overnight, were pronounced in perfect condition Dempsey this afternoon after break 1 ing camp at Saratoga Springs, N. T.. and went at once to hotel. Firpo who returned yesterday from his | ,f,,t in A ln mi ti0 fN Y., spent the day at his uptown apartment except for an hour or two this afternoon when he attended a reception given in his honor by the Spanish society
 For both warriors, tomorrow nights encounter will be the great est test their fighting mettle has ever had, in the opinion of experts | who have followed the careers o1 | both men.
 Dempsey's layoff had told on hi! ability and tomorrow night he vii answer the question as to whether another two months has enabled hin to come back. Critics who have seer the champion in training declare that he is the Dempsey of Toledo that he has regained the height of his form. They declare that this, plus the champions advantages in greater | speed, more versatile attack, experi | E1 scales in his favor against the rug ged, freeswinging Argentine.
 But Firpo, many believe, will prove l far more dangerous than cities gen erally concede. Admitting the faults in his footwork and scientific ability these observers place their reliance in the uHdaunted courage of Firpo his grit under fire and the terrific power in his right hand.
 Dempsey, it is believed, will force the fighting from the start. placing his reliance on the tactics that brought down Willard. But if tho Argentine weathers such storn and still retains the fire of his of fensive, experts believe he will hav' the championship in his grasp.
 Under a change in the program the title match tomorrow night vii start as close to 9:30 o'clock. east ern daylight time. as possible. in
 stead of 10 o'clock Ring formalities however, may cause some delay. Gene Tunney. American ligh heavyweight champion, who wa
 slated to appear in the semi-fina
 bout with Leo Gates, an Indian fight
 CT, has been forced to withdraw be
 cause of an old injurY to his righ
 hand. Bartley Madden has been sub
 stituted. The bout will be held afte the main affair.
 Three preliminaries starting at
 o'clock will bring together Jesse
 known heavyweights. They are be both of New York, six rounds Le .t-~l-