BOXING.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1923, Page 4

BOXING.

HOW DEMRSKY BEAT FI 15 I’D. TII KILLING RING BATTLE. It was a great buttle in its way great in the dramatic situations it supplied, hut. figured from the basis el a boxing exhibition, it was more picturesque than scientific i.-ays the American correspondent of llu- "Sporting Globe" discussing tile l)einp-ey-Kirpo contest. for the world ■ boxing champion-hip), birpo had hole et nothing at hi- command, but _ his groat strength, and Id- clubbing right arm, which held a world ol power, but Hot educe! ion. 'lie < bedeugei was a- mien a- a 'window, and Injun stud, out like a lighthouse in a storm. It was a target tin- elhe.ieiit and hard panelling Dempsey .mild not miss. At that., Eirpo, wa.- dangerous to a high degree. The only vulnerable point of hi- armour oi heel was his jawbone. If Dempsey hit him anywhere el-*- he wa- open to a quickloiiuler. and a couiilei flout I irpo s thunderous right hand ineiiut -ourthing. It was this counter which led Dempsey into trouble ill the li'-i round. The champion started at reckless -peed, determined In iini-ii the belli- a- quickly as possible. 11 - - led will, a left, hut missed, and I’irpo era .bed Ids right against his head, and Dempsey alino-t -dipped to tiefloor. It was this blow which jarred, the eiiainntoii. anil lorcaal him to iigld wildly the rest of ihe round. Dempsey kept crowding. Eirpo alter ihat, and once he gib the range he did net miss. Eirpo jell with every punch In the chin and lock various count-.

It is a settled fact now that Firpo was Hopped Seven times ill the firsl . On onf* ncc;isi<!ii ii is 1-luinmd lie was given a count nf thiileen seconds. Anyway, alter tin-e-vi'.itli trip t>) the floor, the champion, over anxious again t" finish his rival, mm tlm angry Kit no a- he stepped on! of the dust, misse l a left honk and before he could recover l-'irpo had clubbed bon out .-.f position and toreed him against the ropes, where a gigantic right hand landing like a Hail split his guard and bent him buck wards out of the ring. That Dempsev could lake the blow, that lie stood no under it. and was able to (unit- hack- to scrateli in live seconds. attests the super-ability lithe present world’s ehampinn. 110 not only got bael; into the ring; without assistance In a direct way, hut he mini- l-p"k ill the full possession of Ids souses, and able to resume tiehat tie when- la- left off. The slowthinkitig l-'irijo had an opportunity when Dempsey crawled through the rope- to make the test of his ad-

vantage, lent he was a Hii foggy him self, and seemed satisfied to allow the battle to run its course. Dempsey, however, was made of storm r and

more aggressive stuff, and alter a lew seconds of resting in l-'irpo’s giant embrace, lie started culling hi- surprised oppotii-ni, and bail him shaky and groggy at the hell again.. Tin* recovery of the champion, awell as Firpo’s wonderful resistance, were the big surprises of that hectic

first round, anil will long live in the memory of tin- 1(10,0(1(1 fans who were fortunate enough to witness the struggle of the pugilistic giants at tieI’oli) grounds that cool September night. 'Whatever the shock may have been in Dempsey, and whatever iho torture to Firpo, both seemed in full posses sion of their faculties as they tore out j front their respective corners at the I call of the second round. This time Dempsev "as a hit more careful, and j although l-'irpo attempted to bring his j right hand into play. Dempsey evaded j the arm as heavy and thick as a mast, j

Dempsey played Tirpo into position, and another biting left, of the same type which Willard felt at Toledo, caught the challenger full on the cheekbone. and down lie went. He was slow

to rise this time, and it was apparent that the exertions, as well ns the punishment of the first round, had taken toll of his strength. He held to the floor for six seconds before again arising to meet his antagonist. Dempsey allowed him to rush, accepted Ins clinch, hut the moment he felt the big arms encircle his hack lie raised his arms inside, and before Firpo knew what ir was all about crashed a short left and right to the chin, and the giant Argentinian folded up as if ho had been hit on the head with a mallet. '

It took just fifty-seven seconds of fighting in the second round to level

the hope of South America. After the argument there was much talk and considerable criticism of Dempsey’s tactics during the match. Many claim Dempsey did not turn his coruer oil every occasion ; others inxi-t that Dempsey hit his foe beforo he arose from the floor, and many are equally insistent that Dempsey should have been disqualified for accept it;g aid on. the outside of the ring when Eirpo battered him through the ropes.