Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-07-12

$4,000 mark last night and indica-
lions were that this figure would be
fistic program begins at SIS o'clock
daylight time.
Both Fighters Are Fit.
Both fighters today were declared
to be fit for the greatest efforts of
their unusual careers and experts who
weighed pro and con the rugged
youth, punch and aggressiveness of
Firpo against the generalship power
and gameness of willard regarded
the outcome as toss-up. A Willard
uppercut or F'irpo right swing, both
of which have landed before with
sue.
Wizards forty years or so seemed
to weigh but lightly on his huge
frame as he went through his final
limbering-up exercises. The big Kan
san was the picture of confidence
and good condition. He believes that
he has overcome the handicap of
four years of ring idleness.
Firpo passed last night in New York
after breaking camp at Long Beach.
n ]. He, too, Is the personification of
confidence. Trained down to the min
ute, this dark-skinned product OF
the Pampas has been converted. chief
ly by, expert handling; but also
primitive battler into a two-fsted
fighting machine. Since he first
sprang into prominence last year, no
opponent has lasted the limit under
his smashing attack. He has never
met a boxer of Wizards caliber be-
fore, but he has demonstrated his
possession of all the requisites OF
first-class fighting man.
Though overshadowed by the nam
bout. the semi final contest of twelve
rounds between Floyd Johnson OF Des
Moines. iowa. and Jack McAuliffe, %.
Of Detroit, has attracted considerable
interest. These young heavyweights
were knockout victims of WIZARD
and Firpo, respectively, at the Yankee
Stadium two months ago. but since
then they have shown marked I'M
provement in form.>
Three other bouts between heavy
weights are on the card, the most
interesting of which is an eight
rounder between Clio Kramer OF
Seattle and Tiny Jim" Herman of
Omaha
Weather predictions contain a pos
sibility of rain today. Should in
clement weather force a postpone
ment, Promoter Tex Richard will hold
the show tomorrow night, when fair
weather is promised.
Statements of Rivals.
The following statements were
made by Willard and Firpo:
WILLARD. 81 anne not overcOnf-
uent. DuI j tnInk i can WIN. FstNc
never seen FirpO fight. hut . have been
told he in Il tough fellow and hard
hitter. 1 believe that To d.. 40. hut
don't think there's anybody i'm the ring
who can take my measure today. I'm
in better condition thEn at any other
time In my career. 1 hope 40 whip
EIrp0; if / do I'll be ready for a re-
turn match with Dempsey the next
day or amy other day he signs. My
! one and only object In to win back
the title I Lust to him four years
ago"
FIRPO: 81 know L can beat Will
lard. 1 watched him fight Floyd
johnson two months ago at the snme
, show I'm which / knocked out Jack
NcAulffe, I'd. and L know his style.
1 don't know how long il will take
me to win. but 1 hope 1t viii bn early.
However, I'm in the best condition of
my life and can outlaSt willard IL
necessary. 1 have NIL the confidence
i'm the world that I'II he the victor
aud then-it's Jack Dempsey and the
title"
! Jimmy De Forest, Firpo's veteran
! South Americans pre- battle rema rks.
| 81 can't see how any one can lick
! F'rpe," he said. 'NfIIard has never
/ been fighter. in the renI sense of
| the word. He's tough and he can hit.
but he never met any one who can
| punch as hard Ffrpo. not except
/ ing Dempsey. And FfrD0 In faster
and better ring general than most