New Britain herald., 1923-01-11

New York, Jan, lis=Jess Willard
 declared today he was willing to hghl his way ta return match with Jack Dempsey for the worlds heavyweight
 boxing title if it is necessary 10 do that in order to convince the public he can get into condition for a battle with the champion,
 conIers With iiiekari Willard made this announcement alter he and his manager. Ray Archer had conferred for several hours with Promoter Tex Riekard iH regard to possible match with Dempsey,
 No definite announcement was forthcoming after the conference but il was understood itiekard assured
 Willard that he was ready 10 stage T return bout with Dempsey. possibly in July. if the former titleholdar can demonstrate his fitness, 10 the satis- faction Of the public.
 Negotiations. 1t was said. would re- main practically at a standstill until Jack Kearns. Dempsey's manager. arrives from the Pacific Coast. Dan Afciietrlck, Dempsey's Eastern repre-. sentative. said last night that kearns would not he here this week. as had been expected. and might not return until the latter part Of next week. Right now. he added. the champion Is contemplating a reappearance in the movies and negotiating with Lon- don promoters who have offered purse Of s2b0.000 for him 10 box Joe Beckett, English heavyweight, during Derby week. in May.
 Will Stay in New York
 Willard. in the meantime. plans to remain indefinitely in New York and keep himself in condition with daily gymnasium workouts. He has ex- pressed a willingness to box two or three heavyweights before newspaper men and critics in order to prove his claim that he can get into fighting trim again.
 If cant convince newspapermen that I'm in good shape now and able | to train down from present weight of 260 pounds to about 240. my best fighting poundage. I'll quit and go back to the farm," Willard asserted.
 T want to fight Dempsey first and [ think I've proved my right to another chance at the title, but if necessary, I'll go out and fight any other contenders" he added, men, .ioning Bill Brennan. Floyd Johnson md Luis Firpo as possibilities. The former titleholder. however, has irawn the color line so that Harry Wills is not, included in his list.
 Has Brennan Signed
 In this connection, Tom O'Rourke, Polo Grounds matchmaker, announced oday he had secured Bill Brennan's signature to articles for fight with Willard about May 1. at the Giants ,all park and was negotiating with manager.
 "I'll fight myself back into shape f I get match with Dempsey" Will { ard continued. "I want four or five i months of hard training in the , mountains and staff of the hardest Z fitting, toughest sparring partners l l an get. I won't make the mistake i gain that I did at Toledo, before I ,st the title, in not training proper 1 y," I
 Willard expressed little concern yer the edict of William Muldoon, , hartman of the New York State .thletic Commission, barring the ormer champion from fighting in this I tate, whether he is over or under T he age limit of 3S. and branding his ( tempted come back as ridiculous. 6 Ie insisted that he is only 36, despite ecords to the contrary. and declared fight with Dempsey could be staged l asily outside of this state If the com lission maintains it's barrier. 4