The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-14
TALKING
IT OVER
BY JOE WILLIAMS

NEW YORK, June 14.-Eddie
~ Eagan. who Drained his way
through Yale, Hazard and oxford
being a glutton for academic pun
ishment, just has done piece about
himself in book form called Fight
ing for Fun"
An appropriate title, since Eagan
never got anything more than fun
out of fighting, but the piece might
just as aptly been called THE La
ments Of an Amateur"
Throughout the autobiography. Eagan Is
disclosed eternally at odds with an adven-
turouS ven to climb into the professional
rims, and trade punches with the big names
Of the prize ring-a yen that stayed Win
him for a great number OF years.
Even while he was acting as sort OF
social sparring partner for Gene Tunney,
then preparing for the second Dempsey
lght, Eagan was contemplating the COM
card in one Of the supporting bouts.
could whip Dempsey. Tunney and Ski He
was at the ringside the day SKI stopped
Carpenter. A. the time, he was hTst
year man at oxford, Rhodes scholar. He
remarked to sports writer that he would
like TO have try against Ski. The next
DAY the Mortified London Daily Mail
screamed; VIII Rhodes scholar 20 after
The Rhodes scholar didn't. The closest
he came TO SKI was to second Mike Nc
TiRue in Dublin on st. Patrick's day when
the New York Irshman won the light
heavyweight championship Of the world
from the Senegalese incidentally, Eagan
in the fourth round, and left jsbbed his
way TO a decision from then on
The IrshmanS supporters were as
s6ouid achieve murder al least"
n
CEVERAL factors bunkered. Ea-
- gan, in his ambition to become
a professional battler. Dempsey told
him there was no money in it. Tun-
ney told him he'd have better
chance as q lawyer.
To me, the most interesting chap
ter in Eagan's book is the account
Of his meeting with Dempsey, and
having heard him tell of it infor-
mslly, am pretty sure he regards
1t as the highlight of his career
He was then IT, weighed 1873 pounds
and was the amateur champion of
Denver. There was a war fund
benefit and Dempsey and Eagan
where brought together for an ex-
hibition.
lotto F1oto called us to the center OF
the ring and said, Now boys, a nice fast
exhibition and Jack, remember, there are
women out there, so don't hit hard Such
comment proiyoEed me Fl2t Knew knew nsd
Why had he failed to caution me about
heavy punching? +......-
Il win shoot stiff across 10 his chin
as soon as the bell rings / planned.
l rushed across the ring TO meet Dempsey
as he was coming out of his corner. His
chin was tucked in close 70 his, shoulder;
/ shot a right to that ambushed jaw ano
It landed hard. Other heavyweights had
been plunged into sleep with that punch
To my amazement, Dempsey stood still
though look Of surprise crossed his
Dempsey hummed the tune, Everybody
Two-Step,' keeping time with his whoie
body. Even his feet, as they scraped the
II stepped around looking for another
pot shot to the point. Then something
fell on my head. 1t felt like a rafter
from the roof. I never saw 1t coming.
"As opened my eyes 1 felt two padded
gloves under my arm pits. the support
Of the ropes at my back and heard the
O'' Hold him him up a little longer, Jack, and
for heavens sakes, go easy with your
III you hit me again. Jack, you won't be
able to hold me up. 1 whispered, as he
showed me away still humming. Every
body Two-Step'. Ali Right Kid, he
answered. But don't try any more of your
funny rights
Back in the dressing room, Dempsey
showed me his theory Of fighting Its
all rhythm he said. When l land, every
ounce of my weight goes into the punch.
The timing Of it I get by humming a
tune and crashing in when see an open
ing"
One supposes, in view of this dis
closure, that Dempsey must have left
his music sheets in the dressing room at
Philadelphia.