The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-07-13

peaks, Willard was counted Q
the hairy-chested Luis Firpo,
the South American cave
man, stood back Of him snort
ing for more.
willard took out OF the ring with
him about $4,000. a "tin ear" and
fine rnzzing. The crowd thought
he had quit ignominiousiy. Some
still think the aame way.
More than 100 900. the largest
crowd that ever saw boxing
match. witnessed the giants OF
North and South America battle for
the chance 10 meet Jack Dempsey
for the worlds championship.
The house WINS almost solid for
willard victory. Thousands OF Fir.
pos swarthy countrymen were
packed in the dense mass. but their
voices were lost in tumult that arose
In the fifth round. when II seemed
that Willard was 90 win. Like col.
lego roofing section al a football
game. the huge crowd rose 90 It's
feet and yelled in Tnh.rah tempo.
Come on. Jess' Come on, Jessr'
when willard cracked Firpo under
the eye with terrific left hand and
knocked the South American stag.
gerlng 10 the hopes.
That one punch was the nearest
Willard came 20 victory His own
age and the youth OF a powerful
young savage were all against him.
and he wilied until his knees sngged
from under him. and he hadn't the
strength 20 continue. even II his
heart prompted him and his vanity
spurred him 10 keep on.
II was not one punch that sent
the huge Kjtnsan IN a collapse 10
his knees after one minute and So
seconds OF tho eighth round. II wns
barrage Of vicious RICH, hands TO
the head and tho body
Failing 10 reach the altitude where
Willard had two ponderous arms
guarding his Jaw. Firpo switched his
tactics and started driving for the
body. Little rolls OF fat hung over
the trunks Of the former cham.
plon and Firpo made them shin
my" with piledriving blows.
The South American was sighting
his guns for the heart and IL was
not until tho eighth round that he
succeeded in finding his target for
direct hit. One terrific right hand
just under Wizards heart caused
the former champion 10 sag. and in
response 10 the frantic shouts OF
Go on. go on" in English and
Spanish from his corner. Firpo did
go with a voilcy Of right hands
10 the head and Jaw that beat WI.
lard 10 tho floor
on one knee. willard heard the
count tolled over him. His corner
was just few feet away and above
the din OF the crowd could be heard
tho exhortations OF Jack Skelly and
scoiiy Monteiih. the willard sec
onds. Get up Jess. get up"
Willard shook his head and waved
his right hand weakly in a feeble
effort 10 silence the orders OF those
who wanted him 10 further submit
himself to the fury of an enraged
opponent. who was foaming rage
from his every pore.
The former champion listened to
10" and seemed 10 snap out OF a
trance when the tcferce slapped him
on the back and said:
"Sover. Get over there and let
'cm fix you up"
Willard didn't need much fixing.
He was not out of his head. His
physical powers had failed. him and
after short rest he was able TO
walk out of his corner and shuttle
thru the crowd within earshot Of
many nasty remarks.
Firpo was winning by wide mar.
gin OF points up TO the time OF the
knockout The South American had
won the first, second. fourth, sixth
and seventh rounds. Willard had
taken the fifth and by the exercise
OF little consideration for the
venerable Kansan. the third might
have been called even.
Firpo started out with his char.
acteristic rushing in the first round
and he carried a swift attack for
three rounds that kept Willard busy
on the defense.
The first break came In the fourth
round when 1t seemed that Firpo
was about to win with n knockout.
The South American launched
vicious right hand attack that had
Willard groggy on the ropes, but with
the same courage that brought him in
from the floor seven times in ono
round in Toledo, Willard weathercd
his way thru,
With n great rally in the fifth
round the former champion had his
big chance for victory. He smashed
over left hand that just about
floored Firpo and the crowd started
pack yell for him to win But he
failed.
Firpo was warned by his corner to
be more careful and he started
careful fight that made II look as
tho the fight would go the distance.
He kept beating ut Wizards body
and In the seventh round the legs
OF the giant Kansan began to shake.
There he goes, look at his legs"
the veteran Jack McAuliffe, light
weight champion OF the bare kunclsle
days yelled, and Jess was going.
Firpo's victory will be construed as
earning for him a chance at the
worlds heavyweight champion and
Firpo- Dempsey fight seems almost
certain for Labor Day.
Opinion does not agree on the
probable result, ono thing was APP
parent from Firpo's fight last night.
He never can be taught to be clever.
All the teachings OF Jimmy DeFor-
rest In the use OF his left hand I'm
..t. ~. "A =