The Wilmington morning star., 1941-01-18
Former Champ Prefers to
Talk About Boxing; Says
Burman Tops In Game

JACK dempsey, VINO. says thai
his autograph is worth about ten
for a penny" is of the opinion that
war is not too far distant for the
United States.
The former heavyweight champ
had just finished a Commute chore
of signing autographs after he had
wound up the proceedings as refe-
rec at the wrestling matches at
Legion stadium Thursday night.
Squeezing his 21O pounds into
our automobile, he commented that
just about the only thing lacking
in this country being in war is
making it Official"
when you start sending guns
and equipment for other countries
to fight with, then you are already
at war, in my way of thinking"
Dempsey said.
The nation wouldn't be building
all these Army camps if war wasn't
on the way, is what Jack thinks
of it, but he believes that the
country has a long way to go be-
fore it will be ready for any con-
hict.
But Jack doesn't claim to be
any authority on foreign affairs
he feels though that he knows a
good tighter when he sees one.
And our query brought forth the
statement that Red Burman is
just about the tops in heavyweight
timber right now.
"Burman's got a good punch
and a title bout with Louis should
be pretty good" he said.
AS to Billy Conn, who is signed
to fight Louis next June and who
is ex-light heavy champion to all
but Mike Jacobs, Dempsey is of
the opinion that he's about a year
away from the heavyweight peak.
but anything can happen in a
year and Conn might come along
in that time" Dempsey said.
Dempsey used to own Burman
and should know whereof he speaks
in proclaiming the next challenger
for the heavyweight crowd the best
in the beak-busting business.
The fistic hero. who wa the idol
of Americans millions in the roar
ing 20's, says Joe Louis is not a
great fighter-''he can't take it,
especially about the head, and a
champion has to be able to both
give and take"
Jack has a feeling that as soon
as adequate recreational facilities
are set up in all of the various
Army camps that a lot of young
fighters should develop. But that's
a few years away, he thinks.
AS for a federal boxing COM
missioner Dempsey was proposed
for the job by Joseph Triner, presi-
dent of the National Boxing asso-
ISOLATION, a few days ago., Jack
thinks that this is no time to be
thinking of such a person. But
Jack didn't say no and he didn't
say yes, when asked if he would
like to take the job as boxing's
cAar.
Dempsey was named sports edi-
tor of Liberty magazine a few days
ago and he said Thursday night
Il should be on the job now"
He thinks that he will like the
job. You know go out and see
horse racing, baseball, football,
boxing or anything you like and
write a story about it."
Another week of ~refereeing and
then the former champ is heading
for Florida for a rest of several
.ays-and then to the job of type
writer pecking.
He'll be a busy man, all right,
for he's still operating Dempsey's
night club on Times Square, hold
ing an interest in hotels, dabbling
little in various sports and writ
ing as a job.
And after talking about this and
that while milling through the Will
mington traffic to the hotel, Demp-
sey clambered out.
"1H see you in New York" says