The Omaha morning bee., 1924-09-12
Crowd Fills
Great Arena
to See Fight
Jack Dempsey Donates $500
to Charity and Climbs
Into Ring to Be
Introduced.
Million Dollar House
The fight went IL rounds
to no decision, with Wills hay-
ing the better of the argu.
ment.
by Associated Press.


Ringside. Jersey City, Sept IL
Luis Angel Firpo and Harry VII
clashed before crowd estimated -
5000 tonight in Boyles Thirty Acres
for the largest money stakes OF theif
careers and the right 10 chailenea
jack Dempsey for a title match.
Firpo was the first to climb into
the ring. He wore his famous cheek-
cred bathrobe and limbered up in his
corner, during the few minutes inter
val before Wills climbed into the
ring. Both were the target of bat
terry of cameramen while their gloves
were fastened on. F'irpo was accom-
panied By Dan Washington. his YET
eran negro trainer and Bill Tate.
while Paddy Mullins. manager OF
Wills. headed group of Wills
handlers.
Firpo scowled at his dusky rival
as they took sperring positions in a
corner for the benefit Of a photoe-
rapher, together with Referee Denny
Sullivan. Mickey Walker. xelter.
weight champion. young stribling and
Paul Berenbach were among not
The weights were: Firpo. -224 =.
and wills, 217.
Firpo was given a draught out Of
thermos bottle by one Of his
handlers.
Ringside. Jersey City. y J.. SEP.
| 1.-More than $4,000 fans were
massed in Boyles Thirty Acres To-
night when the first preliminary /
the Firpo-Wills battle began Wit
thousands streaming toward the biz
bowl from all sides. the crowd pro
missed 10 exceed expectations an
come close 10 its capacity.
Promoter Tex Richards forecast .
crowd Of 20. 600 and a gate Of ss0e
600 seemed not far out OF the way
The fringes of the enclosure where
So and IS customers were perehed Il
bird s-eye views of the hattie were TIE
first TO fill. The expensive ringside
areas were but sparsely settiel.
Three rows back from the ringside
block of Is seats was roped off for
the prince OF Wales and his parts
but there were no early evidence Of
the royal guests. expected arrival
otherwise.
Weather Perfect.
The weather was perfectly clear
and cool. with a tang of September
that brought out topcoat. and furs.
There was a rumor OF another
process server waiting 20 serve Firpo
with a warrant the moment he en-
tered the arena. When II reached
Richards ears. the promoter. accom-.
panied by his lawyer. FASTENED IN
derneath the stands. his cane IN one
hand and a bail bond In the other
The alarm proved unfounded. how
ever but there were Indications that
special precautions were being taken
TO prevent any eleventh hour iegsl
blockade.
Shortly after 8. Firpo reschei the
arena. He WAS accompanied BY
heavy hodyguard and taken quickly
to the dressing rooms hv route
which avoided notice Of his arrival
on the part Of the crowd. The biz
South American declared thar he
never had felt I'm better shape. H
bore himself With every air Of con
fidence
Jack Dempsey wearing a light taa
topeoat and cap. slipped unohssryei
| into a r1ngside seat while the frs
bout was on. Jack Kearns was With
him.
Wills Cheercd.
Wills reached the arena at So. H
was. accompanied by his MANAGE.
Paddy Mullins. his wife and .svers3
handlers. He was given a roeslas
cheer as he wended his way thrersa
crowd before the dressing rooms
After donating $500 TO = charitable
cause fer which an appeal -. aae
crowd was made. Jack Dempsey w.
persuaded 10 climb into the r.ng. tt
heavyweight champion scknowlel =
a rousing ovation by taking Of hls
cap and exhibiting his hest weV
smile.
N ,sscciated Frees.
Rlneside Jersey City. Sept IL
/ Charley MeKenna ~ Greenwich u.
lage euthoxed Miguel F'errera. Anser.
tine sparrinS partner Of FSTno IN the
Z first preliminary 80 ths MHlsFseea
lnrosran. The crowd cs 6oooo saw
considerable action hut little science
+ In the four rounds which nswsIssass
mon credited 10 the New Yorker =.
a decisive margin.
carl Johnson and Joe SsNanA I'm
Ilight heavyweishts. hattlet 10 inv
In the opinions 81 u,cSt critics. IL
the second four-round preliminary
Both took considerable punishment
hnt xxeta s-sif.s xtrAns. al The fInfsh