The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-09-21
CHALLENGER
IS FAV0RITE
OVER CHAMP
Drift in Opinion Toward Demp
sey Triumph Pronounced as
Shift in Betting
BY ALAN ]. GOULD

Chicago, Sept. 21. -F)-The
greatest ring spectacle of all time
may also witness the astonishing, if
not unprecedented fact Of a chal-
lenger for the worlds heavyweight
title entering the ring a favorite
over the champion.
If such favoritism is based on
wagering odds and on popular senti-
ment, it seems likly that Jack Demp-
sey will be the choice to conquer
Gene Tunney, and regain the heavy
weight crown in their 1O-round
match tomorrow night.
Although a majority of sports
writer's apparently favor Tunney's
chances Of victory, the drift in opin-
ion among them toward Dempsey
triumph has been almost also as
pronounced within the past few days
as the shift in betting from stage
where the champion was an eight to
five favorite four days ago to in
stances today of wagers being made
with Dempsey the favorite at six to
five.
Opinion Widely Split
Few battles in heavyweight title
history have developed as sharp a
split in opinion or as many side is
sues. 1t is just as easy to find a
critic who thinks "Tunney can't
lose," as it is to locate one that
thinks Dempsey will knock the
champion kicking.
The combination Of the widely
diversified opinion plus the show
manship of Tex Rickard, has "built
up" this record breaking event.
Hopes Of the New York promoter
that he will stage his first $3,0OO,-
600 battle does not seem likely to be
realized, but receipts will reach
$2,5O0,0OO which will shatter all
previous records.
A radio hookup of record breaking
proportions, involving Sc stations in
one national chain and six others,
operating independently, will carry
the blow by blow story of the battle
to perhaps 60,OOO,OOO listeners in
this and other countries. Millions
more will get the story over nearly
200 telegrap.. wires, located at or
near the ringside to carry press as
sociation and newspaper reports Of
the fight.
The high mark in boxing attend
ance was reached last September at
Philadelphia when 10000 saw the
fighting marine whip Dempsey, pay
ing $1,900,000 to view the bout
through pouring rain.
Both Fighters Confident
Tunney still is convinced that he
is the "man of Destiny" so far as
the heavyweight Gown is concerned.
The handsome champion, pro-
nounced by experts at his camp to
be boxing with more speed and ac-
curacy than a year ago when he
mastered Dempsey in every depart
ment Of the game, hopes to remove
all doubt about his ruleship by scor-
Ing a knockout.
Dempsey, also declared to be in
the peak of condition, from 50 to IS
per cent improved over his 1926
form, is equally as sure of putting
the crowning touch to q comeback
that no ex-champion Of the heavy
weights ever has achieved.
It will take the battle itself to de-
termine how far Dempsey has called
back the old smashing endurance, to
settle whether his surging rushes
can penetrat~ Tunney's shift defense
or retain tkeir momentum and pun
ishing power in the face Of jab-
bing, counter punching defense that
continually Jared or threw Dempsey
off balance a yea: ago.
Champ to Get Million
These two modern gladiators are
fighting for stakes that were not
dreamed Of even q decade ago. Tun-
ney, win, lose or draw, will collect
the first million dollar purse in prize
ring history while Dempsey will get
$3.50, 900.
Each will have received 81 200. 900
for the two most spectacular bouts
from . business viewpoint-in ring
history. Dempsey got the big end
Of the purse year ago, $75O.OOO.
while Tunney got only 5000, 900.