Dempsey is Still U.S. Boxing Idol

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 601, 1 March 1929, Page 7

Dempsey is Still U.S. Boxing Idol

WILL HE RE-ENTER RING? Nothing reveals more plainly the poverty of the Old World and the New alike in boxers of outstanding personality than the prominence given in the newspapers to reports concerning Jack Dempsey, the former heavy-weight champion of the world, and Georges Carpentier, champion of France and Europe, and also cruiser-weight cham- : pion of the world. Dempsey lost his championship more than two years ago, and has not fought for 14 months; but, although a new champion arose in Gene Tunney, who held the title without being defeated, it is Jack Dempsey who has conquered and still holds sway over the hearts of the vast American boxing public. A “Vacant” Title That he held first place also in the affection of Mr. Tex Rickard is a matter of detail consequent upon the other fact, that Dempsey is the public idol, says a writer in “Sporting Life.” Carpentier has not boxed at all for two years or more; he has not boxed in his native country for nearly six years; yet there has emerged no boxer to displace him in popular sovereignty in Europe. That is why the Frencn Boxing Federation, with all its passion for making champions fight at stated intervals or get out, has so long lain “doggo” where Carpentier was concerned. I Only now has a move been made — because it has become so evident as to amount to positiveness, that Carpentier will not again enter the ring—at least, not to defend his title. Therefore, the heavy-weight championship of France is considered officially to be vacant, and a competition is to be organised for the purpose of setting up a new title-holder. Back to Training Quite a fuss is being made over this item of news, but it is nothing compared with that resulting in America from semi-official circles that Dempsey is expected back in the boxing game before* long, and that his first opponent will probably be Paolino, the Basque woodcutter. Further colour is given to these news items by the statement that Dempsey h actually has started light training in a ' New York gymnasium. ’ Although the old champion has said 1 again and again that he is ‘‘through” ' with boxing, people have refused to believe him; they have predicted E stoutly that Jack will “come back”; 5 that all old champions do.