The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-09-04
FIRP0'S RISE
In PRIZE RING
SPECTACULAR
South American Fighter, Son
of Italian Emigrant, Moves
Up in Two Years
\ RU GG ED FIGHTER

New York. Sept By the Asso-
ciated plosa).-ln;s Angel FIrpo---
cx-stevedrC, the son of an Italian
cm;gfant 10 the Argentine has seal
ed the pugilistic heights to challenge
for the worlds heavyweight title af-
ter one Of the strangest, most PFC
turcsuuc careers the prize ring has
ever known. Unheard of two years
ago, he is matched to fight Jack
Dempsey, the champion, at the Polo
Grounds on September IA.
Big, gtrong and possessed of pow
elful punch, Firpo is recognized by
boxing critics here as Il dangerous
contender for the title, but back IN
his native Argentine, Luis is more
than that-he is Il national hero.
Firpos early career in the land of
the pampas gave little forecast of
the athletic prowess he was to gain.
Born October %, 1898, nearly 20
years ago, in Buenos Aires, he had
little but size and ruggedness to re-
commend him as Il ring prospect. His
father. "A native Of Genoa, Italy, emf
grated TO the Argentine at an early
age. Enrique Firpo was small of
stature but his wife, born Of Spanish
parents in the Argentine, was of
much larger build and from her Luis
inherited his size. The mother died
several years ago, leaving an older
brother and Il younger sister, besides
Luis. The father is now employed
in the government railroad offices
at Buenos Aires.
Before turning to pugilism as
means Of livelihood, Firpo had Il var
iety of occupations, doing odd work
as a stcvedorc for some time. He
also earned little rs a bootblack
in drug store-the foundation upon
which was built the legend that he
once was Il drug CLERK.
Firpo, however, irked under the
drudgery of these tasks and devoted
most of his spare time to athletics,
where he demonstrated all-round
prowess through natural aptitude
and physical qualifications. He had
read of The achievements of the
worlds great pugilists and one day
when a friend took him to gymnas-
ium he seized a chance to enter the
ring against an amateur named Angel
Rodriguez.
The di3asterous ending Of that at
tempt, in 1917, was the real stimulus
to tirpos ring career. He was
knocked out in the first round by
Rodriguez, who since has retired
from active competition.
That setback, the only one of his
career, was followed by a succession
of triumphs. Firpo, finding ma
tural outlet for his physical ability,
learned the rudiments of the game
rapidly, through relying chiefly on
his strength and punch. He knock
Cd out score of opponents as an
amateur. Then, in his first bout as
a professional, he Knocked out an
American, William Daily, in the
seventh round. That bout occurred
in September, 1919, in Chile, and was
followed by string of knockouts by
flrpo among opponents in that coun-
try Uruguay and his native land, the
Argentine.
BY the winter of 1922, Firpo had
conquered about all the pugilistic
opposition South America afforded
and began to turn toward other
fields. Influenced by sportsmen who
mad taken an interest in him, Firpo
came to the United States early in
1872 and after some delay obtained
match with Sailor Maxted, at Ne
wark, N. j., Firpo won by knock
out IN seven rounds and then in sue
cession stopped two other lesser
heavyweight lights, Italian Jack Her
man and Joe McCann, before return
ing to the Argentine.
Yet unschooled and crude in the
inner points of the game, Firpo show
ed enough promise to attract atten-
lion OF boxing experts. After bowl
ing over jim Tracey, Australian. in
Buenos Aires, Firpo signed an agree
'ment with Tex Richard to return to
inns country for series of fights.
the last with Jack Dempsey for the
heavyweight title if he won the 9TH
ers.
lhat marked the rise of Firpo to
real prominence and recognition as
q title contender. He bowled over
bili Brennan, Jack McAuliffe and
then halted comeback Inv .Josa Wi
lard, besides scoring number of
minor victories here and on a harm
stormlng trip to Cuba and Mexico.
Tic had battled his way to the ton of
the heavyweight challenging heap and
the title match was a natural ont
come.