Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-07-17


the century today found the experts
sharply divided but. with an apparent
majority, nevertheless, convinced that
the youth, speed and craftiness of
Jack Sharkey will check the comeback
of Jack Dempsey and whatever punch
the ex-champion can muster.
The last few days have witnessed
somewhat of a trend among critics
toward Dempsey in the belief that he
has recovered the wallop that enabled
him to beat down SO many foes before
he lost his title to Gene Tunney. BY
suddenly suspending his workouts with
the gloves, six days before the battle,
Dempsey himself, apparently is saJlS-
fled with his punching powers.
Dempsey sentiment has been re-
Elected too in heavy financial support
for the former king of the heavy
weights, but unless there is a more
pronounced shift in the few days in
tervening before the match next Thurs
day night in the Yankee stadium, he
will be on the short end for the first
time since he knocked out Jess Willard
for the title in 1919.
Sharkey, according to Wall Street
commissioners, remained slight fav-
orite today in spite of the influx of
Dempsey money. 1t is estimated that
close to $1,000,0OO will be wagered on
the outcome of the fight
Dempsey is the principal magnet for
q throng that is expected to exceed
10000 and pay close to $1,250,00O to
see fight which will decide Gene
Tunneys opponent. The advance sale
had scared to about 100000 by to-
night.
But. if >Dempsey's decision to sus-
pend boxing has caused a lifting of
the eyebrows among the "SharpS" it
is also apparent that not few Shark
ey hackers have been disturbed by the
sailors apparent lack of seriousness in
his conditioning. He has displayed a
nonchalance noteworthy even in a
figure so super-confident of his pow
ers His answer. to this, however and
it sounds convincing is:
why wear myself down 70 a thin
edge training when 1 am already in
shapes have been fighting during
the winter and spring while Dempsey
has been laying off. I'm set to go
noW''s
Dempsey's best chance of yictory-in
fact his only chance if one listens to
most of the critics-is to carry a
rushing, slugging attack to Sharkey in
the early rounds, break through the
sailors defense and weaken him for
the finishing wallop.
Sharkey's prospects of winning, the
same dopesters aver, will improve with
every round the fight goes. They fig
ure that if the rugged Lithuanian
Weathers an early storm his superior
boxing craft and speed, plus acknow-
lodged punching power, awill carry him
to victory on points and possibly to a
Knockout.
The sailors best defense against
DenlpSey'S expected forcing tactics will
be a swift and accurtae left lab, the
tantalizing blow that baffled jim ENcl-
oney and prepared the way FOR Shark
ey to administer aknockout with his
right. 1t was Tunney's left jab that
threw Dempsey SO consistently off
balance and the ex-champion will
have equally as disturbing weapon to
meet when he faces the sailor.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS
Saratoga Lake, New York, July 16
tP)-Jack Dempsey's decision to suls-
pend all boxing until he Climbs into
the Yankee stadium ring next Thurs
day night TO fight JACK Snarkey mas
developed into the camp mystery
With only rumors in sight as to- the
probable solution
Today Jack drove with Jerry Lu-
VadiS, his trainer, to BENNINGTON.
Vt, for dinner with friends there.
He will return to the camp tonight
and is scheduled to start tomorrow
on the road work and light exercises
which Manager Leo P Flynn an
nounced early today would comprise
the remainder of the training pro-
gram for the former champions
comeback effort.
The most plausible runor in camp
today was that Jack would box in
secret, hidden even from the news
papermen, at least twice more be-
fore leaving for New York Wednes-
day morning. In denying the re-
port, Flynn insisted that Jack has
pulled on training gloves for the
last time before the Sharkey melee
and that the former titleholder will
rest, conserve strength and energy
and do only enough light work tC
keep muscles timber and wing strong
The facG remained. however, that
several sparring partners who thought
to leave camp as soon as suspension
of boxing was announced were Or
dered TO remain here for day or
two at least Dave Shade will stay
until Monday, along with Tillie Kid
Herman, Marty Gallagher and Mar
tin Burke. All are fast, clever ring
men and have been giving JACK
some of his best workouts. Also
additional guards we're ordered post
ed today around Che bungalow OF
the former champion in the woods
q mile from the training headquar-
ters. Jack has been boxing there fol
half an hour each morning.
NEW YOEK, July is lF9 = Jack
Sl1arkey made up for a. layoff yes
ierday by boxing eight rounds this
afternoon against five sparring part.
ners.
The Boston boxer who meets Jacl
Dempsey Thursday night came
through this longest workout OF hi