San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-25
Argentine Giant Hasn't Any
Record but He Looks
Like a Champ.
DE FOREST In CHARGE
South American Convinced
He Can Learn and Gets
Good Trainer. !.
BY SPARROW MGANN.

Copyright. by The San Antonio Light
New York. Feb. 24.-Many a heavy
weight filled with vast ambitions has
come to New York to try his fortune.
A few have been worthy, but most Of
them have been flivvers. Indeed, il
the pugilistic cheeses imported into
this city had been Incorporated among
the statistics showing the receipts Of
Camembert. GorgOnzola and other clab-
Der comestibles, the figures for the To-
cal cheese industry would look like a
government fiscal statement.
Memory runs back to the white
hope" days when Jack johnson was
champion and the pork and beaners
were coming into the metropolis like
steers down a slaughter house chute.
But not a one of them came with less
of record behind than is chalked up
to the credit of Luis Firpo, just ar
rived in this city from South America
to fight Bill Brennan next month. And
not one of them, not even Jack Demp-
sey when he blew into New York as
championship contender, was re-
ceived with such cordially by promo
tiers and such interest by the fans.
He Looks Imposing.
The writer had the opportunity to-
day Of looking over Firpo very care
fully and 1t is easy to see where he
gets his consideration. It's because
of his formidable appearance. Stand
ing six feet two, and built in proper
ton, he seems to have been endowed
by nature with every quality which go
to make up the physical side of box
fighter.
If it wasn't for this he wouldn't
have a look-in on the present heavy
weight situation, since victories over
fighters like Joe Mccain, Sailor Max
ted and other fourth-raters would not
of themselves get a fighter much. Yes,
it is his looks and the possibilities they
suggest that are permitting the South
American Italian to get by.
( One point in Firpo's favor is that
he apparently has come to see the
need of instruction. When last in this
country the big fellow was suspicious
of everyone; he would permit no one
to tell him anything. Holding sucl
ideas, it was easy to see his finish
But now, probably due to Tex Rick
| aEu, ne has EOut uuuSL tHC nAAS W
Jimmy DeFOrest, than whom there is
no better coach and conditioner Of
fighters in this world. .
Not TO Hurry His Man.
Much as Firpo has to. learn-ant
it's a lot-DeForest is the man who
can teach him. Jimmy is pretty clear
headed about the entire situation
Even if Firpo beats Brennan, he says
he does not wish to hurry him agains
! Dempsey.
mo one" says DeForest, "has ;
greater respect for the champion thai
have. And I'll tell you the differ
ence between Dempsey and Firpo
Jack is a natural-born fighter an
Firpo has to be made. don't believ'
any man living can beat Jack Tigh
now, but he is at the peak and, wha
with inactivity, he will be on the dow
grade within a year.
"The idea with Firpo is TO give hin
lot of experience. He can be made
He can be made into n champion. lie
him fight Brennan and then take SOM
Of the other good heavies in their turn
Finally, the time will come when h
is ready to contend for the worlds II
tie"
Not Mach Defense.
Firpo is still unable to speak Eng
, lish and this handicaps him somewhat
But, after all, the precepts of the ar
of fisticuffs are universal, and Their
, may be no doubt that lot will b
: done with him, even before he meet
, Brennan. Like all hard hitters-an
Firpo certainly has powerful RICH
! wallop-his defense is none too goo
i and in a private workout today it wa
I clear that Dempsey would ask 70
r only one shot at his jaw which the Al
!, gentinian left open for assault mos
r of the time.
r 1t will be interesting to watch h
progress up to the Brennan battle an
n to see what be does against Bill. FC
a Brennan is no easy problem for Incl
i perienced fighters.
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