THE DEMPSEY -FIRPO FIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 220, 14 September 1923, Page 5

THE DEMPSEY -FIRPO FIGHT.

OF WORLD-WIDE INTEREST. BOTH PUGILISTS CONFIDENT. NEW YORK CROWDED. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copjrljht.» (Received 11 a.m.) NEW YOBK, September 13. Firpo and Dempsey completed their training to-day and entrained for New | York in order to comply with State ! regulations which include weighing in and examination for physical iitness for the light. Frequenters of -Firpo's camp declare that he is in the pink of physical condition, but is an extremely crude boxer. Dempscy's friends who have been watching him at work declare him to be in line shape. The suggestions that he was stale and had fallen off arc not justified and nothing more is being heard on this score. The sporting opinion is overwhelmingly in favour of the belief that Dempsey will win unless the Argentinian gets in a lucky punch. A strange note, however, has crept in, and although many believe that Dempsey will win in three rounds odds have shrunk, Dempsey's backers being a little shy. It is understood that a large number of rich Argentinians, who have arrived in New York for the fight, have much money to wager on Firpo. ' An immense deal of interest is being taken in the forthcoming tight, the most conservative American papers devoting whole pages to the details of training and so forth. Mr. Tex Rickard declares that he has already sold tickets to the value of 1.200,000 dollars, and could sell 181,000,----000 dollars worth, but the baseball park in which the fight is to be held has facilities limited to one hundred thousand people. Thousands of people arc coming from every part of the world and are crowding into New York. The police will devote their energies to the handling of the spectators, for the baseball ground is situated in the heart of the city and thus the traflic problem will be seriously augmented. Firpo will to-morrow be the guest of the consuls of twelve SpanishAmerican nations, and no toreador in Spain's halcyon days ever commanded so much idolatry as this pugilist. Kirpo remains silent and uncommunicative, the centre of a group of Argentinian friends who speak very little English. He says: "I do not need to know any English. I know what to do to Dempsey on Friday night." Demp- ■ soy says: "I have no plan, but T will make my plan as the fight goes on "— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) SPECULATION IN TICKETS. A RICH HARVEST. (Received 11 a.m.) NEW YORK, September 13. The District Attorney is investigatin" the speculation in tickets Cor the Demp"-sey-Firpo fight. The charges involve the specific sale of tickets worth 27 dollars for 75 dollars, at which price the demand was keen.— (A. and N.Z.) FIRPO HERO WORSHIP. BUENOS AYRES CONFIDENT. (Received 11 a.m.) BUENOS AYRES, September 13. Firpo's chances constitute the sole topic here. The enthusiasm is unprecedented, and Firpo's victory is confidently expected. A patriotic demonstration in Firpo's honour is planned for Saturday.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)