Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-26
MAJOR BOUT BUILT
FROM FAIR BOXERS
Stribling's Hurt, Sharkey's
Power, Dempsey Shooting
Arouse Interest.
BY ALAN j. GOULD.
Associated Press Sports Editor.


M The melodrama of Miam
WI Beach, that strange and mys
4 ' i tifying tlStic affair left upol
the sand dunes here by re.
Richard, is moving toward its climax il
a series of episodes that need only
little soft music, the stunning of &
few guitars, to make the fantasy com.
plete.
1t is strange. yet also true, in its
tropically colorful background and ir
Its astonishing assurance of financial
success, but still mystifying 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
sailor, fight for 10 rounds to referees
decision at Flamingo Park tomorrow
night.
No heavyweight elimination" ever
has had SO fantastic setting or a sue
cession Of such preliminary events as
this. Not even Tex Rickard, were he
alive to see his boom venture near COM
pletion, would recognize the almost fin
lshed product OF promotion and bally-
hoo. Tex never would have seed any
thing like it,
1t is the day before the actual hos
the calcium lights and possibly the
moon, but the boys still are walking
around, arguing, and trying to find out
what 1t is all about, and why.
There is a whole nest of mysteries to
seep up the old college spirit--whether
me wants to know who shot at Demp-
ey. and why, or what significance, if
NY, may be attached to the acknowl-
dyed rib injury and reported hand in
ury to Young Stribling in a training
.lishap just a week before the fight.
Great Promotion.
How, to ask a few more questions,
as 1t been possible to rescue an appar-
at financial flop and make it now a
ertain money maker, with a profit Of
$4,000 to 100000 assured; why has
much steam been aroused over a
out between rivals who have had sew
al chances before to establish them
Ives as potential champions-and
lied; how has it been possible to
axe a fight-enthusiastic community
1t OF sophisticated Winter resort
ich as this and, at the same time,
aw the undoubted focus OF Nation
lde attention on bout that, after all,
,cides only whether Stribling or Shar-
y is to continue as a first flight con-
nder?
There are plenty Of answers, just as
ere has been plenty to talk and write
'out outside the actual. fight itself
1T the most conspicuous reason for
all are unquestionably Jack Dempsey
Id the ballyhoo-Dempsey, the old
auler, playing successfully at his new
le of promoter: and the ballyhoo. with
w words and music inspired by the
'lmy ZephyrS Of F1orida's shores.
This Is the South's first heavyweight
hit OF national interest since the
lmy days of New Orleans as. fistic
inter- and few of those In tho gather-
here can recall that. 3. This is also
major bid for fame by william Law
nee StrIbling, 24-year-old Macon
uth-the son of an acrobatic father
I'd the father of an acrobatic child
40 has helped enliven the training
.oceedings.
Sharkey Favorite. e
Stribling, because he Is to feht be-
a Southern gallery Of friends, rela-
res and admirers, is the sentimental
vorite, the hope of Dixie, but Shar-
y, the hard-punching sailor, Is the
.oice of most of the assembled experts
win. Yet there is wide divergence
critical opinion, not only because of
many conflicting developments in
aiming, but also because of the I'M
,stain evidence in the records of the
70 fighters.
Sharkey, especially during the past
w days, has appeared to better adj
antage than Stribling in the daily
orkouts. The Boston tar's punches
ave seemed more effective. He Is prob
bly, ten pounds heavier and appears in
,tter all-around condition. But Strib-
1g, If he feels no i'll effects from his
b injury and has nothing the matter
18th his right hand, has variety of
eapons at his command. Always a
;illful defensive boxer. Stribling's
lnching power seems greater.
They are both fast and resourceful,
Tough the Georgian is more apt to do
le unexpected. sharkey has pound
,e and experience against good men
his favor, but Stribling has fought,
.ther than trained, himself into con-
ton.
The betting, such as there has been
1t, ranges from odds of 6 to on
1arkey TO even money. If there Is any
lange In wagering sentiment 1t prob
bly, will be in Sharkey's favor.
All Plans Made.
Flamingo Park, the new octangular
laped wooden arena, built especially
II the fight, will seat nearly $4,000
,ectators. 1t may or may not be filed
} capacity, but the higher priced
ckets, SIS each for the. ring side"
ave been sold. The gate" probably
i'll be near $3.50 900.
The bout will be broadcast over an
ytensive network of the National
roadcasting Co.. starting at $50 pm.
astern standard time. The main bout,
49, orFa f. ~tt
&, New York, is scheduled for 10 pm.
(00KIcC HAVE A nav