The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-02
CHALLENGER IS READY FOR DEMPSEY IN BIG
 JULY FOURTH BATTLE
Gibbons Boxes Four Partners in An Eight-Round Work
 out And Puts Finishing Touches On His Training

SHELBY. Mont, July 1-(By As sociated PressD-With the heavy weight championship battle between Jack Dempsey and Tom Gibbons less than 72 hours away, new executive was in charge of the business man agement today.
 The challenger brought to a close his boxing program and final prepa- rations were being made for staging the Fourth of July bout.
 crowd of at least 1S,000 is an- ticipated, it was predicted by Mai J. E. Lane of Lewiston, the new trustee. He was busily gagged throughout the day in conference with the ticket selling force, Eddie officials and business men.
 T will have charge of all the if nancial details of the bout. as trus- tee" Major Lane said.
 We are figuring on a crowd of at least 5000 at the fight. There are many motorists here or already OH the way.
 The largest part of the crowd probably will come from nearby Montana points, although informa ton has been received of train reser- vations from many cities even at this late date"
 Major Lane declared the final S100,000 of Dempsey's guarantee would be paid at Great Falls tomor- row and that the holding of the fight would not be jeopardized by any delay.
 GOO Spectators.
 All records for attendance at the cEallenger's afternoon workouts were shattered today More than 600 spectators braved a blazing sun and packed the high stockade which sur I ,f.I. ness the brief session.
 Gibbons boxed eight rounds, which were shortened to a minute and a half each. He met four sparring mates. It was the opinion of ring experts who watched him that he is in superb condition, as finely drawn as a violin string and primed for a grueling battle.
 Gibbons today weighed IFS pounds, according to Eddie Kane. his man. ager. The challenger will enter tha ring at that weight, or slightly more, Kane said. Gibbons is unworried and extremely confident of victory Kane declared
 There was no evidence of mental strain in Gibbons action in the ring this afternoon. He smiled affably to friends at the ringside and playfully patted his sparring partners at the conclusion of their tangles with him.
 
 Gibbons Lands Lefts.
 Gibbons landed his left so persis- tentlY and apparently with such ease that he utilized his right on a few punches. He covered more territory in his workout today than he nas heretofore and he was noticeably on the offensive. while he danced around and tucked blows with more agility than he has previously. Bud German did not lay glove on the challenger with any effect. Gibbons walloped German with succession of lefts, while his 220-pound oppo- nent rushed at him in vain, seeking an opening. Several times Gibbons shot home a right uppercut or right cross. Germans mouth was bleeding when the bout ended.
 Tillie Kid" Herman forced a lively pace for Gibbons, reaching him with several hard raps. The chal- lenger, however, retaliated with jar ring punches at close range.
 Against Jimmy Delaney, his fast est and most skillful sparring part her. Gibbons appeared at his best Delaney has long left, which he has been poking into Toms face with apparent ease recently. He did not land today, however. Gibbons