San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-16
"Building-up" Program
Collapses and No Real
Fights Loom.
CONTENDERS LOSE REP
Firpo, Gibbons and Wills
All Suffer Decline of
Prestige.
By SPARROW M,GANN.

Copyright, 1924, by Consol. Press Assn
New York, March 15.-Somebody
has been throwing wrenches into the
heavyweight fight machinery of late.
The way projected battles have been
tossed overheard this week reminds
one of movie scene of the Boston
tea party.
Dcmpsey-Gibbons? That is off.
Firpo-Wills? This has dwindled
down to mere talk, although there is
some hope left in that direction.
Those most vitally concerned seem to
be at cross purposes. even about the
proposed Dempsey Firpo contest.
All of which indicates that under
the surface there has been n great
deal of trouble lately. Kearns is
sore at Richard, according to the re-
port, because Tex let Firpo get away
from him. The Arsentino's showing
against Spalla was good thing.-for
Ermino, but it certainly didn't help
the cause of the two-million-dolla
return bout between Luis and Demp-
sey.
Whispers Of "Politics."
Insiders say that Luis knew exact
ly what he was doing in letting Spalla
stay fourteen rounds. They whisper
that all will be made clear in time.
Maybe it will. but just now FirpO's
strategy. if that was what he was
using when he met Spalla, is pretty
hard to locate. 1t has given the
projected Dempsey-Firpo return bout
sort of pale saffron look, and it
was yellow enough at best.
just the same, unless Spalla can
be built up-and some building is
required, take it from the writer-or
unless something can be done with
Chief Romero Rojas, Firpo is the only
white candidate whom eastern fans
would get thrilled about as an op-
ponent for the champion.
And even at that Firpo can't af-
Al Reich, for instance, should lass
more than two rounds when he faces
Luis, the Wild Bulls prestige would
suffer further reduction.
COntenders Lose Prestige.
AS a matter of fact. all the logical
tontenders for Dempsey's title have
lost prestige in the past year.
As to Wills there has come a dis
tinct reversal of opinion. He has
not fought real opponent in years
and cannot be lured into the ring
against George Godfrey, the hungry
smoke of Lieperville. Besides his
hands are undeniably brittle.
Tommy Gibbons, since his battle at
Shelby, has been content to pose as
an actor and now is lining IN lot
of set-ups to convince the fans his
wallop is still in working order. What
ever he does, any thoughtful fight fan
will hold that if he couldn't beat
Dempsey last July he certainly can't
beat him this summer.
Firpo too, has suffered loss of
reputation, not only because Of his
poor fights against Lodge and Spalla,
but because he has not been living
the sort of life that would impress
the public he is a dangerous man for
Dempsey to face.
Meanwhile. Tex Richard seems to
have lost interest in the big fellows
and now is devoting his energy to-
ward seeing what can be done about
winding up the indoor season with
a royal flush.
Spalla VS.. Tunney.
Ermino Spalla is due in this coun-
try shortly and, since he signed to
meet Gene Tunney under Richards
duSplCeS, tne new 1oTk ANnlttiC SOlu-
mission will be asked to insist that
he does this. So far rs that goes,
Spalla has advised Tex Richard he
is perfectly willing. 1t is good that
he feels-this way because he could
not make any money in New York
and probably not in New Jersey until
he has lived up to his contract.
So the outlook is that Tunney and
Spalla will meet in the Garden just
before boxing closes there for the
winter. If Spalla wins, Tex will try
to hook him up with Gibbons. How
Tommy will feel about this cannot be
said. He has consistently avoided all
emphasis upon his ability to fight in
the Interchangeable class because of
his aspirations to meet Dempsey. And
because this has been his attitude,
Gene Tunney is the American light
heavy champion today. Gibbons could
have had that title any time he
wanted it.