The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-15

clear through the ropes on top of the press benches and, groggy under a bombardment of mighty rights, once sank to his knees.
 A Courageous Battle.
 Before Flrpo went hurtling down to defeat. carrying with him the scat tered hopes of a continent, he gave 8 vast frenzled throng of S5,000, one of the most thrilling and courageous ring exhibitions of all time. Bat tered. bloody and groggy, he showed his marvellous stamina by coming back with q whrlwind. driving drive toward the closing of the first round that had the title-holder tottering, closer to losing his crown than at any time in his career.
 Firpo fought the best fight of his career. The challenger's mighty right was never mightier. Against the relentless power and versatility of theb champions furious attack he went down, but in defeat he gained more glory than in any battle of his career. He was beaten, but his menace to the heavyweight throne was not removed.
 From the tap of the first gong these two scowling giants tore at each other with attacks of unre- strained savagery. Firpo was the first to land as they came to close quarters. but in a flash the cham pion plunged, shot in right to the body and g left to the jaw. sending the challenger crashing to the floor on his side.
 FirpO Rushes Back.
 Momentarily dazed, but with eyes ablaze, Firpo rose to his feet after short count and rushed back. Again he was met by whitening drive and went down for the second and third times. Blood flowed from his mouth, he was stunned and Dempsey let loose of h 1iS Inc as he sensed victory. Firpo went down twice more and both times it seemed the end had come, but after taking a count of nine his fifth knockdown, the challenger suddenly sprang at his adversary like a wounded tiger, an infuriated jungle beast.
 A Swinging with flail-like rapidity and sledge hammer power the famous right thrust that had brushed aside all opposition before and swept him to fame, the Argentine rushed at his adversary Caught unaware by this stunning come back on the part of the man he had believed beaten into submission, Dempsey reeled under the f~assault. A right to the side of the | head sent Dempsey to his knees and z he arose another swing knocked him from his feet and through the ropes 0n top of the newspaper men huddled at the edge of the ring.
 Experience ToId.
 The outcome proved that sheer strength and hitting power alone 4 plus courageous heart, could not survive against experienced skill, swiftness of foot and equally as formidable punching prowess.
 Dempsey had to call on his all to survive that whitening comeback of Firpo's in the first round. after the Argentine had been floored five times. But the fact that he had the reserve the stamina and courage to weather that sudden and terrific storm and emerge triumphant, demonstrated conclusively that he is the present day Champion of champions" and, in ~A the belief of those who saw him to- Y night one of the greatest of all time.
 Denpsey's victory answered the riddle of his battle with Tommy Gib- bons at Shelby Mont, last July. It proved that. the champion had not lost his punch. that Gibbons lasted the limit simply because he waged a defensive fight intent upon staying the limit, and that against foe ready to struggle toe to toe, Dempsey can give and take the mightiest of punches, and in the end win.
 Dempsey gained a fortune with his victory tonight, for he will receive close to a half million dollars as his share of the gate receipts. estimated at $1,270.000 by Promoter Tex Rick ard, figure second only to the record gate" of $1,600,0O0 estab- lished two years ago by the Dempsey Carpentier battle at Jersey City. ~ The champions share. S7 F per cent Nof the gross receipts, approximated $4S0,0 900. while Firpo. whose share was 12l@ per cent, will receive about S160.000. twice as much as he got for any previous bout.
 Dempscy's Knees Sagged.
 Dempsey's knees wavered as he climbed back in. He clinched to save himself. Firpo could not follow up his advantage and the bell ended a round that will go down as one of the most sensational of all fighting history. It came to an end with both gladia- tors on their feet.
 Unleased for the second round, they leaped at each other once more. Dempsey again was the quicker on Nthe attack and Firpo went down pnder the crushing blow of the cham /pion. He arose only to go down once more. Now there was no doubt of the outcome The challenger bleed- ing and tottering, forced himself to N his feet, carrying on largely by in stinct Dempsey stepped in, whipped his left to the body and then a short right to the chin that sent Firpo sprawling on his back. staring vacantly at the glare of lights over head.
 The Argentine tried feebly to turn
 
 fighting heart called him back to the fray, but the body that had with stood one of the most terrific as- saults the ring has ever known, could not respond. He lay flat at the count of ten, after 57 seconds of the round had elapsed, and was helped to his corner by the victorious champion. Then that vast throng, whipped to a fever pitch of excitement by the sen sational struggle of these two slug ging gladiators. gave vent to an ova- z tion that echoed and re- -echoed from Coogan's Bluff, as Dempsey's hand was raised in victory. Rngside spectators rushed for the ring, some hurdled three rows of press benches to their shoulders For a moment it seemed that the frenzy might assume the proportions of a riot, but the pos lice. after a struggle, gained con <trol.
 FIrpo Given ovation.
 And while the American had full filled popular expectations and the most venturesome predictions of critics by his short and spectacular triumph the challenger received an ovation in defeat for me fight that marked him among ,fhe most cours- geous battlers NIfo ever sought the worlds title.
 Dempsef won because he was the Dempsey of Toledo, the smashing. mauling,l relentless assalant who battered less Willard into suomissio it heavywefght thronA Firpo proved himself h dangerous Challenger de-