New Britain herald., 1926-05-15
tBY JOE WILLIAMS)

Hendersonville, N. C., May b. When Jack Dempsey fought Jess Willard and won the heavyweight championship of the world at Toledo July 4, 1919, Jack Kearns. the Baron of the Ballyhoo," was in his corner.
 the title involved, kearns was in the thetitlc involved. kearns was in the champions corner, lending what is known colloquially as moral support, in addition to sage managerial ad- vice.
 For the first time since the Colo rado genius of the steam shovel won the richest prize in pugiIism. Kearns will not be in his corner when he fights his comeback battle for Tex Rickard next September.
 The two have come to an irrevo- cable parting of the ways. Kearns participation in the proceedings, if any, will be that of mild-mannered gentleman who either bought q ticket or received an Annie Oak ley"
 Replacing hearn5 in point of au- thority in the corner that night will be Gus Wilson. the Belgian. who is here supervising the preliminary training of the champion. Until re- gently Wilson was the head trainer of Georges Carpenter. Dempsey brought him to this country last winter specifically to help him in his comeback.
 Saw Ircnchman Stopped
 Besides knowing his -plasters as a trainer and conditioner Wilson ought to be of great value to Demp- sey in other respects. Wilson was in Carpenters corner the night Gene Tunney stopped the French man in 15 rounds. This gave him an extended chance to study the eX- marine in action.
 Dempseys opponent will either be Tunney or Harry Wills, with the odds favoring the pale-faced punch CT, not only because he is clearly en- titled to a shot at the title Con the strength of his record) but because politics threatens to balk a Wills match.
 For reasons aforementioned, Will son is eXpertly qualified to discuss Dempsey's chances against Tunney, and it is the Belgian's notion that the champion will come through with flying colors and fists.
 Tlmney Is Clever
 The testimony of a hired trainer dealing with the capabilities of his employer are usually of dubious value, but Wilson's optimism does not seem to be unduly thick or highly artificial, Indeed, l waa somewhat surprised when Wilson predicted a hard. tough fight"
 Says he: T don't think the champion underestimate Tunncy as much as d big percentage of the public seems to. It would not be wise If he did so, for Tunney is a big, strong, young fellow with ample courage and those kind of op- ponents arc always dangerous.
 T saw Dempsey when he knocked out Carpenter and I have plenty of reason to believe he is a terrific hit ter. saw Tunney when he knocked out the Frenchman, requiring II more rounds to turn the trick than Dempsey needed. and I am con- vinced he is not the hitter the cham pion is.
 Nevertheless, Tunney is clever, is not easy to hit nothing seems to ruffIe him, and, in his own way, he is a dangerous puncher.
 Tt is significant the longer he goes the better he gets. I think when l say I look for a hard, tough fight l am also expressing Dempsey's size-up,"
 Incidentally, Wilson is internation- ally noted as handler of athletes. He conditioned Willie Lewis and Joe Jeanette for their European bouts before joining the Carpenter entourage. He is porbably without a peer today at his profession, He'll certainly be no handicap to Dempsey, in or out of the ring.
 LEADERSHIP AT STAKE