Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1924-01-19
Wants Guarantee of A
Title Bout With Jack
Dempsey First.
Mullins Insists That the Fights Must
Be Arranged on a Percentage
Basis.

New York Jam 12-An offer of $500
900 for two bouts in which the services
Of Harry Wills, New Orleans Negr<
heavyweight title challenger, were
sought has been rejected by Paddy Mul
Inns manager of Willis, it became
known yesterday. The fact that Mui
Inns declined this offer, which was
made by Promoter Tex Richard was d
vulged when Rickard announced the
proposal he had made to Mullins in a
conference held Friday afternoon in
the Prince George Hotel and Mullins
made known the 1act that he had ~
Jected "a guarantee offered by Kick
ard for two bouts for Willis"
Negotiations for Wills's services still
are being carried On. however. Richard
Ilans to conduct = bout between Wills
and Luis Angel Firpo some time III
July, with the understanding that
hat the winner of this match
July; with the understanding
will meet Jack Dempsey. worlds
heavyweight champion, in bout in
September. Both bouts, according to
present plans would be held at the
polo Grounds. Mullins and Richard
are expected to confer again this week
IN an effort 10 reach an understanding.
MAKES COUNTER PROPOSAL.
~ :,
According to yesterdays develop
ments Richard at the Prince George
Hotel conference. at which Wills III
cidentally was present offered Mullins
500. 600 as Wills's end OF bout
against Firpo ard Il contract providing
~ walls would receive 5000 900 for Il
bout against Dempsey if the former sue
teeded in beating Firpo. Mullins sa'a
Yesterday that he had declined this
proposition and insisted on accepting
both bouts for Wills on percentage
basis. This counter-proposal. accord
ing to Mullins did not appeal to Rick
ard and the negotiations were temper
arily halted Wit! the understanding
thar mana ger 2ud promoter woulo
,l5St again ,vitE.u week
Harry BlaUtass and Babe Cullen
Newark promoters who operate in the
l1Sth Infantry Regiment Armory ana
the Dreamland Park, Newark under
the Incorporated lame of the National
Sportsmen's Club yesterday entered
the Kidding for Wllls's ring services.
The Newark promoters at conference
with Mullins in the latter's headquar
tiers at the Pioneer A. c.. offered 500,
900 fer Wills TO box Tom Gibbons ST
Paul light-heavy weight in twelve
round bout contemplated for May at
Dreamland Park
Blaufuss and Cullen asserted they
were prepared to make a similar offe"
10 GIBBONS. Mullins took this proposal
under consl0erat on. Mullins also ana
nounced that he lad under CONSIDERED
lion a similar offer Of Il guarantee for
Wills 10 box Firpo at Dreamland PARK
on July for Blaufuss and Cullen.
WANTS lkUNC.AD GUARANTEE
In announcing Ills rejection Of Rick
ards offer. Mullins emphasized the
gact that he was DESTROYS of arranging
a Wills-Firpo bout on a percentage
basis and added further that he wanted
IN irCnclad guarantee, that if Wills
battered the South American into sub
mission he would be assured of bout
with Dempsey for the title against dang
or of official interference.
wills is ready to box Firpo any
Time or any place in the United States
said Mullins. 81 ted Richard we were
ready when l talked with him yester-
day But l want the bout arranged on
percentage basis so far as Wills is
concerned and 1 want a definite guar
antee that ii Wills beats Firpo, Harr,
will get crack at Dempsey and his
title.
''The Dempsey bout is our partica
lar objective. 1 want this for Wills
above all else. II he must light Firpo
first that match will be arranged !
whether it is for a guarantee or per
Centage. Either arrangement will De 81
ccptable to us in the end if we have as
surances That there will be no official in
reference with bout between Harry
and Dempsey.
Il intend to see Richard again NEXT
week. Maybe we vii. come to some
agreement then"
New York Times.)