New Britain herald., 1924-01-31
FIRPO.WILLS BOUT
 HACKERS SECURED
Battle Expected to Be Staged
 Early in July

New York, Jan. 31. - Lew Ray mond has announced that the finan- cial packers for his plans to obtain Il heavyweight match between Harry
 Wills. negro challenger of Jack Demp- sey and Luis Angel Firpo. the South American, are Simon Flaherty, wealthy resident of Queens, who con ducts the Greensboro A. C., and Will liam Gross, local resident buyer with a business establishment on Seventh avenue. The announcement, coming day after Raymond had denied that Gross or his brother, Monroe Gross, were associated with him in his nego- tiations, is the first definite statement regarding the source Of the financial support Raymond claims he has to justify his offering a $500,000 purse for the proposed bout,
 Raymond went even further in re- vealing his plans. He announced that he has been assured that Firpo had accepted his terms, an assurance which came from Firpo, according to Raymond, through Billy McCarney. focal boxing promoter and manager who is associated with Firpo's eNhi- bition tours,
 Dispute Over Movie "Eelyet"
 But one hitch remained in the path Of definitely assuring the match. Ray mand said. The difficulty revolves about the disposition of the South American moving picture rights for tho battle According 10 Raymond, 1'irpo is demanding that he have the South American picture rights ex- clusively, while Raymond is demand ing that the privilege be divided among those involved in the bout
 According to Raymond. the finan- cial agreement tentatively adopted provides that the promoters in this country post s50.0O0 on March l. or when Firpo boards a ship for the trip 10 this country. Firpo at the same time will he compelled to post a for felt Of S25.o00 to guarantee the pro- moters against loss, Upon Firpos ar- rival here, and when he signs the con tract for the Wills bout, the South American will have deposited to his credit the sum of Si00,000, The re- maining S10O,OO0. Raymond said, will be deposited to lfirpo's credit 30 days in advance of the bout.
 May Fight In July
 Other plans for the battle are in- definite. Raymond said. II is expect cd to hold the match in the week of July 6-l2, on a site which Raymond asserted he Is compelled to keep secret until developments justify a public announcement. The match maker confirmed the reports Of his .t arena with seating capacity of i25,- 600. He corrected the impression, however, that the arena would he made entirely Of concrete. Ii is planned, Raymond said 10 provide i only a concrete base for the arena, | which will be huge wooden bowl.
 At his place of business yesterday, | William Gross, after being informed | of Raymond's announcement, confirm | cd the information that he is asso- ciatcd with the matchmaker and | Flaherty. but refused to discuss the | situation further, referring all in- 1 quiries to Raymond.
 Wills Ready To Sign
 Raymond is not concerned over the i Wills angle or the proposed bout He ] said he had the definite assurance Of Paddy Mullins, manager of Wills. that tho Brown Panther" of New orleans ig ready and willing 10 sign for 2 match with Firpo just as soon as the !. south Americans signature is affixed 10 contract. Mullins verified this l insertion yesterday at the Pioneer A. ] C.
 According to Raymond. lFirpo has i exhibited preference for match . with Wills some time in August. but l the matchmaker has rejected this i Proposition. becausa he is Gesrous of . angling for a match between the win . Ter and Dempsey before the end of i tha outdoor season. Tn requesting that the proposed bout be arranged for August. Firro advised Raymond that an exhibition tour being arrang- cd for tl1a South American by McCar- ney and the latter's partner. Hugh"y Garland. would Interfere with his training plans.