New Britain herald., 1929-02-26

] ] ne IIclouIdlltd OI NItdihl bCdSH' that strange and mystifying f1stic affair left upon the sand dunes here by Tex Rickard, is moving toward | it's climax in a series of episodes that need only a little soft music, the strumming of few guitars, to make the fantasy complete. It is strange, yet also true. in its tropically colorful background and in its astonishing assurance of f1nan- cial success; but still mystifying. in- solar as who shot at Jack Dempsey yesterday just before the dawn and what will happen in the ring when w. l.. (Young) Stribling, the heavy weight pride of the south. and Jack Sharkey, the Boston sailor, fight in ten round match to referees de- cision at Flamingo park tomorrow night.
 No heavyweight "elimination" ever has had so fantastic a setting or a succession of such preliminary events as this, not even Tex Rick ard, were he alive to see his boom venture near completion, would recognize the almost finished product of promotion and ballyhoo. Tex never would have ''seed anything like it."
 It was the day before the actual hostilities begin beneath the palm trees, the calcium lights and, possi- bly, the moon, but the boys still are walking around. arguing. and try ing to find out what it is all about, and why.
 There is a whole nest of mysteries to keep up the old college spirit whether one wants to know who s..ot at Dempsey. and why - or what significance. if any. may be at- Itached to the acknowledged rib injury, and reported hand injury. to Young Stribling in training mis- hap just week before the fight. How, to ask few more ques- tons. has it been possible to rescue an apparent financial flop and make it now a certain money maker. with a profit of $5O.O0O to $100.00O as- sured: why has so much steam been aroused over a bout between rivals who have had several chances before to establish themselves as potentia champions-and failed: how has il been possible to make fight en- |thusiastic community out of so. phisticated winter resort such as Ithis and, at the same time. draw the undoubted focus of nation wide at. tention on a bout that. after all. de- cides only whether Stribling o' Sharkey is to continue as a first flight contender.
 There are plenty of answers. jus as there has been plenty to talk anc write about outside the actual figh itself But the most conspicuous reasons for it all are unquestiona. bly, Dempsey and the ballyhoo-- Dempsey, the old mauler. playing successfully at his new role of pro Imoter; and the ballyhoo. with new words and music inspired by tho lbalmy zephyrs of Florida's shores.
 This is the south's first heavy weight fight of national interest 1T years. This is also a major bid fol fame by William Lawrence Strlb ling, A year old Macon youth. thu son of an acrobatic father and th' father of an acrobatic child. wht has cnlivcned the training proceed inCs.
 Stribling, because he is to figh before q southern gallery of friends relatives and admirers. is the senu mental favorite. the hope of Dixie But Sharkey, the hard-punchint sailor. is the choice of most of th' assembled experts to win. Yet ther' is 8 wide divergence of critica opinion, not only because of so man, conflicting developments in training but also because of the uncertain evidence in the records of the two fighters.
 Sharkey. especially during the pas tcw days. has appeared to better ad vantage than Strlbling in the dall, workouts. inc Boston tar's punche have seemed more effective. He l probably ten pounds heavier au' appears in better all-around Condi ton. But Strlbling. if he feels no il effects from his rib injury and Ina noihnC the matter with his righ | hand has variety of weapons a hlS command. Always a skillful de fonsive boxer. Strlbling's punching power seems greater. They are botl fast and rcsourceful though tn Georgian is more apt to do the un expected. Sharkey has poundage ant experience aga inst good men in hi favor. Irli Strbing has fought rather than trained. himself int, condition.
 The betting, such as there ha