Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-20

By the Associated Press.
r INCOLN FIELDS. CRETE. ILL.,.
| appearances. peace prevailed in
- Jack Dempsey's training camp
today-peace for every one with
the exception of the former world
heavyweight champion himself. who
was bubbling over with nervous
energy in striking contrast to his
harried mental upset of a year ago,
lust before fighting his losing battle
with Gene Tunney in Philadelphia.
The Jack Dempsey of today is a
changed individual Not only is the
old CLEAN back in Jacks eye, but
much of his playfulness has returned,
reminding his admirers, and even neu-
trail observers. that there is as much
difference between the Dempsey OF to-
day and the Dempsey Of IL months
ago as there Is between day and night.
The present day Dempsey, no longer
worried with law suits and the menac-
ing threats of his former manager,
Jack Kearns, is more like the Demp-
sey of the Firpo days four years ago.
The critics say he has improved so
per cent over his mental and physical
condition when he fought Tunney in
the rain at Philadelphia. and that he
is 25 per cent a better fighter than
when he knocked out Jack Sharkey
two months ago.
Old Confidence Restored.
Since knocking out Sharkey Demp-
sey's old confidence has returned, dis
polling all doubt in his own mind
whether or not he could really come
back, whether he could all but para
lyze a foe with his gloved fists, and
whether he could take punching and
still remain on his feet.
Dempsey is satisfied in his own
mind that he will upset all prognosti
cations and regain his priced world
heavyweight title when he meets
Tunney in their battle at Soldier Field
Thursday night.
He feels that if there were anything
wrong with him the critics would have
been able to detect it. His body Is
lean. his eyes are bright and clear
there does not seem to be an ounce of
superfiuous flesh on his frame; even
the slight rolls of fat that were so
noticeable during his training for
Sharkey at Saratoga have disap'
peared under his long siege of training
at this racing plant.
dempsey mas De6n working Srl1nly
to convince the world that he can
come back. He worked for II weeks
in his mountain camp at Ojai. Calf.
before going East to fight Sharkey
Then he went through a siege of box
ing at Saratoga. After whipping
Sharkey he took a brief rest on the
Coast before plunging into the grind
Of training again. this time for
Tunney.
To Fight i'm Top Shape.
Dempsey has been in training here
under the watchful eye Of the old fox
of fistiana, Leo p. Flynn. who has
brought him right up to the edge for
fighting, so that Dempsey will enter
the ring Thursday In top condition.
His weight today was within a few
ounces of the 197-pound mark, indi
eating that he possibly would weigh
around 1875 pounds at weighing-in
time Thursday afternoon.
Dempsey, in his training, partic-
ularly in the last few days, gave evil
dence that he is so close to being the
Manassa mauler of old that his
friends can hardly distinguish the diff.
ference. His legs looked good, he
moved around the ring speedily, with
the same old weaving crouch, and
inside the ropes he was the old glow
ering, charging. vicious Dempsey of
the primitive fighting instinct. His