Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-02-26
MIAMI BOUT
APPROACHING
ITS CLIMAX
Mystifying Events Aid
Banyhoo; Writer
Says Only Music Is
Needed
BY ALAN y. GOULD
fAxsncfafed prS<x Snnrts rrft.,

MIAMI BEACH. Fla, Feb. 76s-
R-The melodrsma OF Miami
Beach. that strange and mystifyine
fistic affair left upon the sand
dunes here by Tex Richard, Is NOV
ing toward its climax in a series Of
episodes that need only a little soft
music, the stunning Of q few gui-
tars, to make the fantasy complete.
1t Is strange. yet also true. In its
tropically colorful background and
in It's astonishing assurance Of fl
anncial success: but still mystify-
ing, In so far as who shot at Jack
Dempsey yesterday just before the
dawn and what viii happen in the
ring when w. L. Young) Stribling,
the heavyweight pride Of the south,
and Jack Sharkey, the Boston sail
or. fight for ten rounds to a ref
eree's decision at Flamingo Park To-
morrow night.
No heavyweight elimination ev-
err has had so fantastic q setting
or a successor OF such preliminary
events as this, not even Tex Rick
ard, we're he alive to see his boom
venture near completion. would rec
ognize the almost finished product
Of promotion and ballyhoo. Tex
never would have seen anything
like It."
Mystery Stuff
It was the day before the actual
hostilities begin beneath the palm
trees. the calcium lights and pos
| sibly the moon. but the boys still
are walking around. arguing, and
trying to find out what &c Is all
| about, and why.
There Is a whole nest Of mysteries
| 10 keep I'D the old college spirit
| whether one wants to know who
| shot at Dempsey. and why-or what
| significance. IL any, may be attach
/ ed to the acknowledged rib injury,
| and reported hand injury 70 Young
| Stribling In q training mishap Just
a week before the fight
How, to ask a few more questions,
has it been possible TO rescue an
apparent financial flop and make tt
nov a certain money maker. with
a profit Of $4,000 to 100000 as
sured; why has so much steam been
aroused over a bout between rivals
who have had several chances be-
fore to establish themselves as po-
tential champions-and failed: how
has 1t been possible to make a fight
enthusiastic community out OF a
| sophisticated winter resort such as
this, and, at the same time, draw
| the undoubted focus OF nationwide
| attention on O bout that, after al,
decides only whether Stribling or
Sharkey Is to continue as q first
flight contender.
Successful Jack
There are plenty OF answers, just
as there has been plenty 70 talk
and write about outside the actual
fight itself. But the most conspicu-
Gus reasons for 10 all are unqlies-
tionably Jack Dempsey and the bal-
lyhoo-Dempsey. the old mauler,
playing successfully at this new
role Of promoter; and the ballyhoo,
with net words and music inspired
by the balmy zephyrs OF Florida's
| shores.
This is the south's first heavy
weight fight of national interest
since the pelcy days OF New Orleans
as q fistic center and few Of those
In the gathering here can recall
that. This Is also q major bid for
fame by william Lawrence Strib-
ling, 24-year-old Macon youth-the
son OF an acrobatic father and the
father of an acrobatic child. who
has helped enliven the training pro-
ceedingS
Striking, because ne Is to fight
before q southern gallery, Is tie
sentimental fayorite, the hope OF
Dixie, but 6harkey Ia the choice of
most Of the experts to win Yet
there Is q wide divergence Of crit
ical opinion, not only because Of 50
many conflicting Developments in
training but also because Of the I'm
certain evidence in the records Of
the two fighters
Sharkey Looks Good
Sharkey, especially during the past
few days, has appeared 70 better
advantage than Striking In the
| daily workouts The Boston tar's
punches have seemed more effect
I've. He II probably ten pounds
heavier and appears In better all
around condition. But Etribltng. II
he feels no III effects from his rib
injury and has nothing the matter
with his right hand has Q variety
Of weapons at his command Always
q sktliful defensive boxer, STib-
ling's punching power seems greater.
The betting, such a there has
been OF IL, ranges from odds OF Q Co
5 on Sharkey TO ven money. III
there Is any change In wagering
sentiment II probably VIII Be IN
Sharkcy's favor.
FiaminEo Park, the new cctangu-
lar shaped wooden arena built es-
pecialfy for the fight, win seat
may not be filled TO capacity but
the higher priced tickets, S25 each
for the ring side. have been sold.
The gate" probably will be near
$4,000. The bout viii be broadcast
over an extensive network OF the
National Broadcastfng company,
starting at $3.50 p. m. eastern stand
ard time The main bout. 70 q de-
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