The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-19

This IL NO ordinary perform
ance that ono might view In q
tlleater. It Ii stirring action,
mental conflict, physical conn
bat. No one knows what will
happen when those two speci-
mems Of trained humanity meet
In the center Of the ring. their
bodies cleaning under the pow.
erfuI Kleig lights.
No well-rehearsed lines are
quoted: no pre.arranged movements
take place. 1t Is natural drama
free from artificial handicaps carry
ing an emotional appeal to watchers
and listeners that is supplied by no
other form OF sport or entertain.
ment.
NV own experience placed me In
q. position to confirm this belief.
After winning the heavyweight
championship undertook d vaude-
vile tour of the nation 1t. was the
dullest period of my life. Com
pared with actual ring engagements
1t was like indulging In a game
OF checkers after taking part in a
worlds series baseball game.
But did manage to work in some
amusement. 1t was in large mid
dle-western city. NY lead" man
had gone on the stage to give his
spiel" ] stood In the wings wait
ing for the high point in his pero-
ration when in stentorian tones he
announced: Gene Tunney, the
heavyweight champion Of the
world"
At that moment the house was
darkened and a brilliant spotlight
was thrown on the side Of the stage
from which / was to enter. Sud-
denly / had an idea. A tiny negro
boy who took part in another act
/ lifted him to the floor and pushed
him out into the spotlight.
For an instant there was intense
stiffness as the little chap rolled his
startled eyes in the hypnotic light.
Then the audience broke into
shrieks Of laughter. / am sure 1t
was the most successful OF my"
stage appearance-and to me the
most dramatic.l
This shallow experience before
the fOOtlights only served to ace
centuate the sheer drama OF
the ring. Frequently would
recall stirring scenes that were
indelibly impressed on my men,
DRY.
There was the night in the Polo
Grounds in New York when / fought
Georges Carpenter. What roar
went up from the $4,000 fans rs
the colorful Frenchman came out
of his corner like a wasp! had
my eyes glued to his right, the
same powerful fist that had shaken
Dempsey to his heels. And
knew how to handle it.
The fourteenth round OF that
wild match produced one of the
most dramatic scenes ever enacted
weary and nearly finished, but he
played the fox" When I opened
up on him, ripping both hands to
his body, he seemed to come to
life. The crowd roared its approval.
But 1t was the feeble gesture OF
a doomed gladiator who wouldn't
give up. He came toward me paw
ing the air with his gloves. All OF
a sudden Carpenter uttered low
moan and sank to the floor, falling
over on his face. The spectacular,
gorgeous, courageous French Idol OF
the ring was now q faded flower.
The shrieks of his manager and
seconds were the wailing OF a de-
feated foreigners lost aspirations
for world laurels.
In the Metropolitan Museum in
New York city is painting by
one Of the modern masters-George
RelIows-depicting the thrlllinE
scenes when the giant Firpo sent
Dempsey flying through the ropes
in their famous match at Boyle
Thirty Acres.
All the drama, all the action, all
the elements of human contest that
nave marked mans existence
through the centuries is reflected
in the reproduction of this never
to be forgotten moment. One is held
Spellbound as he gazes at the
artists masterpiece that has taken
its place alongside the classic paint
ings Of the world.
"That - real DRAMA" uncOn.
SciOuSly comes to ones lips.
And IL it never has been In my
province to experience similar
great moments la the ring, L
too. would get the pure thrill
the artist has succeeded IN
grasping and passing on 10 flu
ture generations.
However, have my own big
to remember long after
other champions have succeeded to
my place in the ring. There is the
bell Of the first round in the Phila-
delphia encounter when Dempsey
rushed at me from his corner bent
over in a full crouch like a gray
brown tiger. l can see him now
with the white on his eyebrows to
protect his vision from the, glazing
lights overhead.
1t was the "big moment" had
toiled and struggled and fought
ror-and l was ready. l forgot all
about crowds, trainers, money
but the job in hand.
And at the end when the referee
held my hand aloft. signifying my
OF the heavyweight cham"
of the world, with the rain
beating down on my almost naked