New Britain herald., 1923-02-01
BIG RING BATTLE
 NOT FOR JERSEY
Boxing Commission Opposed to
 Denpsey-Wills Scrap

New York, Feb, That a nemR- sey- y-WillaTd bout Is barred, SC far as
 New Jersey is concerned, was definite iy established yesterday when Chair
 maA Louis Messane 0f the Athletic Commission, Of that state, laak der eided stand against a return hant he- tgeen present and former heayyHeishi champions, "if an application had been made for the bout in New Jersey, ~e would not have allowed it." said Chairman MessaRe, when asked fl there was any truth in the report that the bout was scheduled for Richards $ arena in Jersey City where Dempsey knocked out Georges Carpenter. New Jersey is opposed ta the Bout"
 As far as could he learned yester- day the heavyweight title situation is now at a standstili, Promoter Tex Rickard is practically reeeneiled 10 rejection Of a Dempsey-Jess Willard battle. and hesltatos about agreeing 10 hold . Dempsey.wills bout through fear Of possible developments adverse to boxing because Of the racial qnes- ton involved in a mixed struggle for the title.
 Tom o'Rourke, Polo Grounds matchmaker. will today visit the of- hce Of Jack kearns. manager Of Jack Dempsey prepared to submit for the last time his proposition for inc champions services in one, two or three bouts at the Polo Grounds. o'Rourke. manifes,ly impatient and
 taa af ton his offer to Dempsey has elicited from Manager kearns. yesterday de- clared his intention Of withdrawing as bidder for worlds heavyweight championship bout unless kearns ac. cepts his offer immediately.
 Is Kearns Ducising?
 '1 am beginning to think that Eearns is lodging bout between Dempsey and Harry Wills" said | o'Rourke. T don't think for a minute think that Dempsey fears the negro. Dempsey, I am sure, would | fight at the drop of a hat But kearns as far as I can learn. is seeking by every subterfuge to escape discussion of Dempsey Wills bout,
 T have an appointment with Kearns for Thursday afternoon at o'clock. will go to his office prepared to submit my proposition in a sealed bid. If he likes, he can accept it or give some indication of the fact that the offer appeals to him. If he does not like it. he can reject my offer and I will withdraw quietly as bidder. I do not intend to chase around in circles any longer"
 T have offered Kearns an attractive for Dempsey's services against Wills and one or two other op- ponents to be selected by me. But to date .Kearns has not given me a defi- mite response. cannot account for his hesitancy. unless it be that he is to consider Wills as rival Tor Dempsey.
 T have place where the bout can be held and I have sufficient guaran- ;ee that a Dempsey-Wills match. can De promoted to warrant my bidding or it. In addition, there is every as- ,urance that such contest would imply repay Dempsey for risking his title"
 NO Dcnn1ue fAHS 1et
 Manager Kearns declared yesterday hat his plans for Dempsey title bout vede no nearer completion than when le arrived here. He reiterated his de- nand that the promoter securing 0empSeys services would be com ,elled to deposit s1oo,0oo in cash with the understanding that such de- ,osit be subject to Kearn's call in the vent of an emergency preventing a out. t The agreement Kearns signed with iickard last week, in which the cham ions manager bound himself to re- t ect all offers from rival promoters , ntil I,ickard had a chance to inves- C igate conditions. expired yesterday. Whether this agreement will be re- , owed neither Kearns nor Rickard f 7ould say yesterday. i Dempsey returned to his headquar- ITS in the Hotel Belmont yesterday ( fter a visit to Lakewood, N. J., where I 1e title holder inspected several t respective sites for a training camp. a [e says he is eager to get away from le city an enjoy the quiet of the ountry. r