The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-02-27
StribIing, However, Has Large
Following and Is Given a
Good Chance to Win
CAPoNE IN SHARKEY CORNER
IL negroes Will Take Part in
Battle Royal in One Of
the Preliminaries
BY ALAN ]. GOULD

Miami Beach, Fla. Feb. 27.-(R)-
Fightdom, .ch in the traditions Of
daring promotion and unusual
drama, dedicatcs a new and spcctac-
ular outpost today, If the weather be
fair.
The wealthy and poor and great
and small of business and politics. of
the pleasure grounds and the sports
world, have gathered here for the
10-round heavyweight match tonight
between Young Stribling and Jack
Sharkey.
In one of the greatest fistic shows
and the most spectacular sports event
the old south has ever known, Strib-
ling. pride of Georgia and the pugi-
listic hope of Dixie. will box Sfarkey,
the hard-hitting Boston sailor, for
the right to battle for the crown that
Gene Tunney has laid aside-to the
winner may go the chance to meet
the promoter of this remarkable
affair. Jack Dempsey, for recognition
as the heavyweight of the world.
SharkeJ Is Favorite
Sharkey is the favorite to win. The
betting odds early today wavered
around six to five and seven to five
In his favor. The expert consensus
likewise favors the chances Of the
rugged sailor but the lean son Of
Georgia is the sentimental favoritc
in the biggest test he has ever faced
before the ''home folks"
Close to 5000 spectators. the ca
pacity of the miniature addition Of
Boyle'5 80 acres in Flamingo Park.
will see the youthful ring craft and
wallop Of Stribling pitted against the
rugged defense and counter attack Of
the Bostonian.
Millions more will hear the details
Of the fray over a nation wide hook
up Of nearly go broadcasting stations.
the greatest ever arranged for fight
and a remarkable evidence Of wide
spread interest in q match that has
itself no championship significance.
Gate Is $4,000
The promoters estimate that the
gate" at prices Of IS to $25. will be
close to $400, 900. When the box office
opened for its last days business to-
day, there was nearly $350.O0O in &C
tual cash in hand, sufficient not only
to pay Sharkey 100000 and Stribling
4 20 per cent ''cut" of about $50, 900,
but also enough to assure the Madi-
son Square Garden corporation q
profit Of about 100000.
This Is the fruition Of the last fistic
dream Of Tex Rickard, whose daring
fortunes carried him on from Gold
field to Reno, Toledo, New York.
Jersey City. Philadelphia and Chi
cago. It will seem somewhat strange
at the ringside tonight without Tex.
for the first time since big fights be-
came hobbies Of wealth and society.
Tex, with his inevitable cigar and
cane, would have liked to stroll about
this arena, comparing its tiny yet
picturesque points with the massive
ness Of Boyle's 80 acres, chatting with
the big fellows he liked to entice
to his shows and remarking he never
seed nothing like It,"
Critics Back Sharkey
On the form he has shown In train
ing. on the basis Of his l0-pound ad-
v0AGo8C AL WCA8nt 6A1O tIlO oo0umps
ton he will be at his best. sharkey
has acquired the backing Of most Of
the critics. But on youthful ambi-
ton, q daring spirit. and an admit
teddy stiff punch. Stribling may be
accorded at least an even chance Of
victory. The Little can last only 80
minutes even II 1t goes the limit and
thus requires decision by Referee
Lou Magnolia Of New York. Those
who scan the INSIDE stuff" for indi-
cations attach some significance to
the word that Mike Capone, brother
Of Scarface AL Capone, former Chi
cago gang leader. will be In sharkey's
corner. The Caponcs live sumptu-
ously in an island residence here.
But the idea Of any influence being
brought to hear. or any suggestion Of
intimidation Is secuted in both fight
camps. where spokesman are agreed
on the fairness as well as fearlessness
Of Magnolia. who has handled many
Of New York's most important bouts.
The facts Of b;4ttle, already fairly
well ballyhooed,- are that the big