Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-03
: BY TEX RICHARD.
(fn collaboration with 'BoSeman Bulser)

AN felt that RELIEF from The
high tension of those days
would be another big cham
ptonship fight.
IN 1919 had about made up my
mind to get into the promotion of
game. In fact, 1 had played it as a
game, purely and Simply, up to that
time
1t was then started on the trail of
a.fght between Jess Willard and Jack
Dempsey Jack had come up SO rapidly
that fight fans were eager for him to
have crack at something big. There
Yves no other apparent successor to the
willard crown. Having followed the
newspapers closely, could feel what
tlle public wanted. At least thought
! could
During the war days / had not for
gotten the fight game entirely. The
public had not, either. The greatest
amusement attractions in the Army
wefe the boxing matches. I feel sure
the war did more to give the public a
clear viewpoint Oh the game than any
0fher factor. Army officers were quick
% see the advantages of boxing as a
b0ilder-up of men.
In one Infantry regiment with which
Twas pretty well acquainted the COM
handing officer issued an order that
every enlisted man in his outfit must
hox at least three rounds every day. His
iaea was that the mere physical contact
would rid the men of any timidity and
make them willing to face anybody on
an even footing.
This commanding officer laid particu-
l1G emphasis upon the weakest and most
tttnid men being compelled to box A
schedule was arranged by which each
squad of eight men had to pair off and
1ave is minutes Of boxing as part of
the setting-up exercises. They were also
ordered to wade in and slam.
Boxing Helped Soldiers.
I'm short while the more timid
soldiers had a different look in their
eyes. Having socked man in the jaw
their outlook on life was entirely
different.
Il am not going to get into any argu-
H1ent by mentioning the name or num-
hEr of this regiment, but the records
show that it came out of France with
the reputation of being one of the
Eanest and hardest-hitting outfits in
The whole A. E. F..
We fellows who could not get in the
Army did all we could to help the box
Ing spirit. which meant the fighting
spirit, and we are proud of it.
Despite the intense anxiety of the war.
men IN and out of the Army talked
about Georges Carpenter as a boxer.
Everybody wanted to see him. We tried
and tried to get the French government
TO let him come over and fight to raise
funds for the Red Gross and other
similar organizations. I felt it in my
bones that Carpenter was bound to be
the great drawing card of the boxing
generation. Even so, the French govern
nlent would not give Carpenter leave of
absence. That added to the eagerness
OF Americans to see him. I was biding
nv time with the Frenchnlar.
In the meantime set out to get VIII
lsrd and Dempsey. I had little diff
Guilty getting Willard have found
That the best way to cinch fight is to
sa2n up the fighters first and make the
match afterward.
n located Jess Willard on the road and
Efadc an engagement to meet him in
Chicago
There was no particular match talked
about at the moment. Several cfal-
lsngeS had been thrown at Willard, but
there was no big money in sight. He
Knew, OF course, that had Dempsey in
Haind.
jess" said to him, "are you willing
70 box any man in the world if the
parse is big enough?"
Sure" he said Whats the idea?"
We'll, here it is: I'll guarantee YOU
100000 if you will sign an agreement
70 box anybody name on July f."
We talked this over at length. Finally,
ne agreed to sign.
Got Jact: Easily.
In the meantime there was much talk
OF other matches for Willard, all sorts
OF offers being made AS in the Jeffries-
Johnscn fight, though, was secure. l
had the champion signed uD to fight
for me. The fight and the place could
be decided later.
then went back to New York and
get in touch with Jack Dempsey and
jack Kearns, his manager. I first met
Dempsey in hotel room Honestly, I
felt sorry for him. In his street
clothes he looked SO small-almost like
niddleweight-2s compared with the
giant Willard. Jack always looks much
smaller in his clothes than when
stripped.
Dempsey was eager to meet Willard.
Il can arrange the fight" I told him,
IF you will sign ain agreement to fight
Tor me on July A.
Kc=rns and Dempsey wanted a crack
ut Willard at any price. They realized
that the champion would be entitled to
the big part of the money.
Kearns and Dempsey were straight
forward in their dealings AS a bust
ness manager, Kearns was Of immense
value to Dempsey.
After much talk they agreed to sim
with me for $27,500
with their names on the agreement ]
could breathe easy.
In short while had the articles OF
agreement signed for a fight on July 4
between Willard and Dempsey.
My next thought was location.
Many fight fans have wondered VIII,
staged that fight at Toledo. and cans
pretty near making 2 bust.of it. knew
llctle about Toledo and had no persona
interest in that city any more than ir
any oeher. I got down the map anc
began to study.
(Nexc-Dempsey Socks WiIlard.)
Copyright, 1929 by North American News
paper Alliance)
ANDREWS AND FELLOWS
TIED FOR TOURNEY LEAF