Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-27

gered around. Dis
like Dempsey, If you will. you can't
take from him the credit that he has
conducted himself in a way that never
has brought reproach upon him or his
profession while he has been cham
pion.
Wiling to Fight.
And YOU can't take from Dempsey
the fact that he has been an active
champion. 80 far as opportunity per-
mitted. He fought AIiske, Brennan,
Carpenter, Gibbons and F'iipo, all
within four years of becoming cham
pion. That's a record for activity
Just about as good aS-if not better
than--most Of the other champions.
The only thing that kept Dempsey
from doing more fighting was that he
couldn't. He signed up to give Bren-
nan another shot-and that bout was
killed off. He was ready to give Will
lard a return match. when Jess was
doing his comeback. But Ffrpo knock
cd of Jess.
He wanted to fight Firpo a second
time. because Firpo and the public
demanded the match. But before it
could be arranged Ffrpo was through.
Gibbons was another show Demp-
soy didn't duck-even Dempsey's enc
Il.
him, but Tex Richard finally decided
against such q show--and that was
Off
Beyond that group-and Wills
there was no one regarded in Demp
sey's class through 1928. 1924 and
1925. Floyd Johnson and Jack Renault
made q Hash for while, and Demp-
sey said he'd take them on. But be-
fore they arrived at a point where
they looked like logical contenders
they began to skid backward-and
now arc out Of the picture.
Never Dodged wills.
It's always seemed to me like real
unfairness and distortion Of truth
20 say that Dempsey has lodged Wills.
The whole world knows that when
Wills fired his first formal challenge
In 1922 Dempsey legally accepted. But
word was passed that the bout could
not. be put on that year. Dempsey
was agreeable to meeting Wills in
1928. But early in that year the New
York Boxing Commission placed the
ban on all heavyweight bouts. And
that wasn't Dempsey's fault.
When the ban was finally lifted
Dempsey was still agreeable to fight
ing Wills. He waited through 1923.
1879 ana 1890 TOT Sonic ONO III new
York to make a real offer for the
bout. Nobody did. So Dempsey still
showing that he wasn't afraid of
Wills, but exhibiting an eagerness to
light him, signed up last Fall to meet
him for a Western promoter.
Dempsey didn't get a dime as ad.
vance payment or bonus money. That
shows he figured the fight would go
through and that he'd get his money
that way. Wills demanded-and got
according to his own admission, $780,
200 or so. And that match blew" be-
cause the promoters, through no fault
of Dempsey's. failed to make good on
their obligations.
Aren't all those facts proof conclu-
sve that Dempsey. during all the days
Of his championship. never ducked or
dodged any fighters? So why throw
bricks at him: I don't think he's a
marvellous champion: I feel certain
I'll knock him out. But that doesn't
alter the fact that Dempsey has been
game enough to meet every man the
public demanded he should meet.
Ready to Risk Title.
didn't figure very largely in the
picture through 1922. 1923 and into
1924. I've made my real progress
ord. supported by public demand,
made me q logical opponent for Demp
sey. When I challenged he didn't
duck. even though l looked so tough
20 Wills that he ducked me. Demp.
sey accepted. And that's the final
proof. isn't II. that Dempsey is ever
willing to risk his title?
I have written these thoughts of
mine concerning Dempsey simply be-
cause I think this array of real facts
concerning him Is something that he
deserves. think ne has been a credit
as Q champion by the life he has led
outside the ring and that he has
proved through his seven years as
titleholder that he has not--and never
~ill-deprive any man with a good
record a chance at his crown.
It's all we'll enough TO "razz"
Dempsey's ring ability If you think
that way: it's legitimate to say he's
an overTated puncher. that he doesn't
know the basic principles of scien-
iific defense and that he's a boob for
a good r1ght-handed puncher And it's
.. X. to comment on the fact that he's
been q lucky champion. But 1t doesn't
strike mo as fair nor sportsmanlike
70 say that he hasn't lived clearly and
sanely or that he hasn't fought when
ever he could fight.
And so. boys. just before I knock
his block of and bump him forever
from the fistic throne, how about a
few cheers for this fellow. who never
did a thing since he became cham
pion TO disgrace that championship
and who never feared to meet any liv-
ing man that the public insisted he
should meet?
Copyright. 1926