The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-09-24
JACK DEFIES
OLDEST LAM
OF FIGHT GAME
C0bwebs of Antiquity Cause
Downfall Of Former Champ,
Says Joe Williams
nv Loo v,;fl,a,,,.,

Philadelphia. Penn, Sept. 24.-Jack
Dempsey deficd the oldest law Of the
game last night and 10000 people
saw him battered and dashed into
OBLIVION. Jack Dempsey tried to come
back after three years of idleness;
he tried to come back Just, rs Jim
Corbett had at Carson, as Jim JET.
fries had at Reno, rs Jess willard
had at Jersey City, and he failed,
Just as all keavyweights who turn
their backs on the. ring once and re-
main away from It for, any great
length Of time will fail.
Jack DEMPSEY was one of the
greatest fighters who ever pulled
on the gloves seven years ago when
he pummclcd, Willard senseless in
three rounds. He was still great
fighter the night he stopped the
Giant Louis Firpo In two rounds
three years ago. But there was
nothing great about the Jack Demp-
sey that went down in defeat before
the two listed attack Of Gene Tun-
ney Of the marines Mt the sesqui
stadium last night. The cobwebs Of
antiquity had settled over his former
fighting genius and the rust Of mac
tivity had corroded the iron In his
once mighty fist.
Dempsey 4 HAS been"
Just as writer's in days gone by
said of Jeffrics that he was but "a
sheltAsf his former self, tho writer's
Of tUday. prcferring aptness to Ia
bored noriginality can say the same Of
Dempsey The marvel is that he was
able to survive the ten rounds, be-
cause he had absolutely nothing. On
the other hand Tunney was in there
fighting his greatest fight.
After a temporary display Of his
old time cautiousness in the first
round Tunncy sensing that his great
chance had really conc, opened up y
short, jolting offensive that carried
him to victory with the same grim
"reminiscences that marked the war
time advances of his comrades IN
Dellcau woods. Tunney, three years
younger and superbly trained, had
everythin" Dempsey lacked. He had
stamina, he had speed, he had clear
eyes. he had legs that grew stronger
instead Of weaker as the rounds mass
ed. one by one: he had a fine defense
and "a splendid hitting style.
Nearly Knockout
IL Tunmcy had been q real knocke
out he would have finished Dempsey
before the third round. Indeed
was convinced Dempsey would not
be able t. last through the second
after seeing him founder around the
rine in the first round with the
awkardness Of a novice.
One thing DEMPSEY did have was
courage. He stood up bravely u1der
u cruel battering. The ultimate type
Of one Dempsey came in the sixth
round when he landed three Of his
fnvorite blows flush on Vulnerable
parts Of Tunney's make up and didn't
even as much as jar him. This was
proof that there was nothin~ left IN
his fists but spent energy. This
same kind of blows dropped all OF
Dempsey..s opponents in the years
gone by. Dempsey in his losing fight
left the ring with. face torn, pat,
tered and distorted almost beyond
recognition.
Kcarns Near Jacks Corner
It reminded veteran ringsidcrs- OF
the day seven wears ago when Will
lard. surrendering his title to Demp-
sew. left the ring just as badly mark.
ed and SCARED. Jack Kcarns sat
within ten feet of Dempsey, the man
he made champion, and watched him
lose his title. There was no smile
Of satisfaction on the dappcr little
managers face as he watched the
cumbersome efforts Of his old pupil
and friend, nor any spoken words Ia
indicate that the result pleased him
IN the second round Dempsey
caught Tunney with a right hand
that landed solidly against his jaw
hut the punch had no effect on the
marine other than to make him blink
and fight back with greater fury
When Kearns saw that this punch
one Of Dempscy's best, hadn't even
staggered the challenger he turned
to friend in the press row and SAID
"Hc's through" And he was.