DEMPSEY DETHRONED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19904, 25 September 1926, Page 13

DEMPSEY DETHRONED

WORLD’S BOXING TITLE. TUNNEY WINS ON POINTS.

A GRIM ENCOUNTER. CHAMPION’S PUNCH LOSES POWER. HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.

(Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright.) NEW YORK, September 23. The odds were reduced tp 2 to 1 as the men entered the ring. Rain was falling as the fight started. Round One. —Dempsey started m tigerishly at Tunney, and there was a quick exchange of blows, Tunney being continually forced on to the ropes. Tunney then managed to land two heavy blows on Dempsey's head, when the champion attempted to land a right uppercut failed. Round Two.—The champion again rushed in savagely, and drew blood from Tunney’s mouth with a glancing left book. Then both men furiously exchanged blows, Dempsey continually forcing Tunney to the ropes. The champion fought in a frenzy, rocking Tunney with two hooks to the jaw, but the latter retaliated with two rights in the same place. Dempsey continued to force the fighting, but Tunney whipped blows to the body and head, and the champion leaned back on the ropes as the round ended. Round Three.—The champion came from his corner slowly, Tunney meeting him midway. The challenger, with swift precision, landed a right uppercut and a left to the head. Dempsey bled at the nose and mouth, Tunney jabbing him apparently at will, and once he nearly dropped him with a left hook when they came out of a clinch. Dempsey was sparring for time when the round ended. Round Four.—Dempsey nearly knocked Tunney over the ropes with a wild left swing. The champion literally swarmed over his challangcr, fighting like a madman, and landing a terrific right to the head and a left to the stomach. Tunney opened a wound in his opponent’s right eye. Dempsey appeared to be tiring, and was hurt by a straight right to the ear, which drew blood. The referee had to warn Dempsey when the latter started hitting at the back of the neck that the rabbit punch was not allowable. Round Five.—The men now boxed more cautiously. Tunney blocked a terrific left for the body and countered with an uppercut, backing Dempsey on to the ropes. Tunney was now doing his first forcing in the fight, and shot rights and lefts to the body. Dempsey appeared to bo much on the defensive, and was driven on only by his fighting heart. Tunney backed up Dempsey with two hard rights to the body as the bell sounded. Round Six.—There was an opportunity for Tunney of victory now, but it appeared doubtful whether the challenger had enough strength left. Dempsey’s resources were not ended. He launched from his corne- like a raging lion, and smothered his opponent with blows. Tunney protested to he referee about Dempsey’s rough work in the clinches. They were sparring when the round ended, and the punches of both seemed to lack power. Round Seven. —It was still raining dis mally. Dempsey opened the round with a left to the jaw that put Tunney back on his heels. Dempsey opened Tmraey's right eye with a left hook. The challenger then staggered Dempsey with rights and lefts to the head, but the latter held on. There was a furious exchange of blows in mid ring. They, clinched and the bell rang. Hound Eight.—Dempsey came out slowly circling about the eager challenger. The former seemed weak on his legs. Dempsey clinched to recover from two heavy body punches, but Tunney forced them off, and hurt him so badly with a left to the body that the champion grunted painfully. 'Dempsey was' missing with nearly all his leads. Tunney landed a light left to the face. Round Nine.—Dempsey appeared in very bad shape. Tunney seemed confident, but the champion’s fury was not yet ended. He leaped from his corner, swinging viciously, but ineffectively. Dempsey landed a hard right to the stomach, but Tunney staggered him with a right to the head and a left to the body. Dempsey’s eye was almost closed by' a hard left.

Round Ten.—Tnnncy now seemed a certain winner by a decision at least. The rain was now a downpour, and r they shook hands for the final round they slipped and slid in the wet ring. sey suddenly shot at Tunney over whelming, crashing body blows that drove the challenger on to the ropes. Tunney then crowded in on the champion and began hammering him with blows that 'imded like a machine gnu. Dempsey could hardly stand. Tunney won on the judge’s decision, and became the new champion.—A. and N.Z. Cable. * A CLEAR-CUT VICTORY. TUNNEY’S DEFINITE SUPERIORITY. CHAMPION SEVERELY PUNISHED. NEW YORK, September 23. (Received Sept. 24, at 8 p.m.) Only Pennsylvania’s ancient laws regulating the lengtth of prize fights saved Dempsey from the ignominy of a knockout in one of the world’s finest heavyweight bouts which was staged bef re the greatest fighting gallery in the world’s history. There was not a single knock-down in the entire contest, but there never was a championship fight where the victor more truly won every step of the way. Tunney was as nervous as a bashful singer when he stepped into the ring, but he got over that feeling after the first stiff exchange with Dempsey, who probably was as much surprised at the quality of bis opposition as was the challenger himself when Tunney found that lie could stand up there and take everything and give it back with interest. Ho simply assumed a calmness and confidence which nothing could break. Dempsey rusho.i at him, swore at him, used his' elbows in the clinches, and did everything sin of a foul, but Tunney was over his mental hazard, and really Dempsey never had a chance. Dempsey was an awful spectacle at the finish. His face was swollen to twice its

natural size, and whan the gong f°r tlio last round sounded he droppe' into a chair, and his seconds worked fi r minutes to revive him. If there had been an eleventh round Dempsey probaM; could not have come up for if. , DRIVE AWAY DEPRESSION. Take Marshall’s Eospherine. What's the use of moping around with that "wet biankoty” look? Y’our friends will soon get tired of you, and you will lose all interest in life. Shake yourself up. Ail you need is a tonic for your nerves, and something that will replenish them with the phosphorous they thrive on. Get Marshall’s Fosphcrhio without delay. A highly concentrated nerve food, powerful and stimulating. Gives quick results, too. Ask for the six-sided carton. 100 doses for 2s ful. All chemists and stores, or irom the Pr*>nrie* -"-t. A. rue 1 W. Raster, of Baxter's Lung Preserver, Christchurch.

The last round was a curious spectacle. It was raining heavily, and the crowd was roaring for Tunney’s victory that seemed certain. Dempsey literally threw himself against Tunney, crowding him the ropes, but the challenger’" arms were going like pistons every mt—ent, and Dempsey’s left eye became totally closed, while the blood was streaming down his face. Tunney swarmed all over him, but Dempsey just had ability enough to avoid a last fatal blow. Tunney amazed his supporters, outgaming and out-fighting the seven years’ champion. The judges, who unanimously called him the winner, believed _ tin t he almost knocked out Dempsey with ’’aril right to the jaw just before the 1 ” rang. Tunney won every round except the seventh, which was even. Dempsey has gone back heavily since his bout with Firpo.—Sydney Sun. BEFORE THE FIGHT.

PHILADELPHIA THRONGED. TREMENDOUS PUBLIC INTEREST. DEMPSEY’S CHANCES FAVOURED. NEW YORK, September 23. By a unanimous decision of three judges of the Common Picas Court at Philadelphia an application for an injunction to stop the fight was dismissed on Thursday morning, thus removing the i legal obstacle. News from Philadelphia states that with the sun finally emerging from on overcast sky and the last legal injunction restraining the fight dismissed, everything now is O.K. for the big fight. Already thousands of people are beginning to stream towards the stadium, whore the gates open at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, though the fight docs not start till 9.45

at the earliest. The official weighiug-in showed that Dempsey tipped the scales at 13.8 and Tunney at 13.35. Dempsely plans to arrive at the last minute in a special train; , but Tunney arrived early in the afternoon, choosing ' the spectacular medium of a private aeroplane, claiming that it was safer than motoring over crowded and slippery roads through tho mountains from his camp at Stroudsburg, The latest betting is about 7 to 2 in favour of the champion. Fifty thousand people arrived in Philadelphia overnight to witness the fight, many of whom, unable to procure a place to sleep, walked the streets all night. Others slept in automobiles. Train after train is bringing thousands more all day. Some are seeking accommodation, which is utterly impossible to secure, others are wanting fight tickets, of which very few are available- Speculators are asking 50dol and lOOdol for seats marked 275d01, and they declare

they will ask ISOdol before night. Automobiles have thronged the roadways bearing license plates from half the States in the Union. No person without a ticket is allowed within half a mile of the stadium after 3 o’clock. The hotel lobbies and the streets' are packed with people, restaurants of every description are crowded, and temporary stands are doing extraordinary business. Taxicabs are extremely scarce.—A. and N.Z. Cable. INTEREST IN LONDON. SPECIAL EDITIONS OF NEWSPAPERS. LONDON, September 23. The greatest interest is being manifested in the fight. Leading newspapers sent descriptive writers to Philadelphia, and they have been cabling columns daily. London is in practically direct communications with the ringside, and will receive an account round by round. AH the morning papers have arranged for special editions. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

DEMPSEY’S COMMENT. “THE BEST MAN WON.” NEW YORK, September 25. (Received Sept. 24, at 10 p.m.) A record-breaking crowd of more than 130,000 witnessed the fight which finished in a downpour of rain. Dempsey took the decision gamely. ‘‘lt is the same old story. The best man won,” ho said as he was called out of the ring.—A. and N.Z. Cable. HOLDERS OF THE TITLE. The following is a list of the holder# of tbs title: — Tear. Winner. Runner-up. Rounds. 1897 —R. Fitzsimmons J. J. Corbett 3.4 1809—J. Jeffries R. Fitzsimmons 11 1899 —J. Jeffries T. Sharkey 25 1902 J. Jeffries R. Fitzsimmons 8 1903 — J. Jeffries J. Munro 2 1904 — J. Jeffries J. J. Corbett 10 1905 Jeffries retired. M. Hart beat J. Root in 12 rounds. 1906 T. Burns M. Hart 20 1907 — T. Burns J. O’Brien 20 1907—T. Burns. W. Squires . 1 1907 T. Burns “Gunner” Moir 10 1903 —T. Burns J. Palmer 4 1908 — T. Burns J. Roche 1 1908 —T.Burns IV. Squires 8 1908—T. Burns VV. Lan- 6 1908—T. Burns W. Squires 13 1908— J. Johnson T. Burns 11 1909 — J. Johnson S. Keteheli 32 1910— J. Johnson J. Jeffries 35 1912 —J. Johnson J. Flynn 9 1914 — J. Johnson F. Moran ’ 20 1915 — J. Willard J. Johnson 26 1019 —J. Derupeey J. Willard 4 1920—J. Dempsey W. Miske 10 1920 J. Dempsey W. Brennan 12 1921 J. Dempsey G, Carpentier 4 1923 —J. Dempsey T. Gibbons 15 1923—J. Dempsey L. Firpo 2 1926—G. Tunney J. Dempsey 10

GENE TUNNEL'S RECORD. Born New York, May 25, 1898. Nationality, Irish American. Knock-outs. 1919 Bob Pierce, 2. 1920 Whitey Allen, 2; Jim Monohan, 1; A 1 Roberta, 3; Ed. Kinky, 5; K. (J. Sullivan, 1; Jeff Madden, 2; Ole Anderson, 3; Sergeant Hay Smith, 2. 1921 — Young Ambrose, 1; Soldier Jones, 7; Jack Burke, 2; Wolf Larsen, 7; Eddie O’ilara, 6. 1922 Jack Clifford, 6; (lech.), Jack Burk, 9; Ray Thompson, 3; Jack Hanlon, 1; Charlie Weinert, i ; Whitey Wenzel, 5. 1923 Jack Clifford, 8. Won From. 1919—80 b Marlin, 4; K.O. Sullivan, 10; Ted Jamison, 10, 1921 Martin Burke, 10, Eddie Jos?pbs, 12; Herbert Crossley, 7. 1922 — JJatt Levuisky, 12; Fay Kaiser, 10; Chuck Wiggins, 10. 1923 Chuck Wiggins, 12; Harry Greb, 11; -an O’Dowd, 12; Harry Grob, 15. No Decisions. 1919 Dan O'Dowd, 8. 1920 — Paul Sampson, 10; Leo Houck, G; Leo Houck, 10. 1922 Fay Kaiser, 10; Charlie Weinert, 12, Tom Lougbran, S. 1923 Jim Delaney, 10. Lost. 1922 Harry Greb, 15 (Jost championship). No Contest. 1923 Jack Renault, 4. 1921. Jan. 15—Harry Foley, Grand Rapids, Mich., N.D., 10. Jan. 21 —Kay Thompson, Palm Beach, Fla., K. 0., 2. Fob. 15— Miutin Burke, Now Orleans, La., won, 15. March 17—J limn'.- Dolanev, St. haul, Minn., N.D., 10. June 2G —Ermino Spaila, New 1 ork City, K. 0., 7. July 24—Georges Carpcntior, New York City Tech., K. 0., 15. Au<’. IM—Joe Lobuian, Columbus, Ohio, K. 0., 8. S»pt. 17—Harrv Greb, Cleveland, Ohio, N.D., 10. Oct. 27—Harry Folev, Memphis, Tcnn., K. 0., 1. Nov. 10—Buddy M'Hale, Memphis, Tonti,, K. 0., 2. ‘ Dec. ft—Jtff .Smith, New Orleans, La., N.D., 13. 1025. June 4.--Tom Gibbon?, L'.S., won, 15.

Matches engaged in 59, knock-outs 26, won 17, no deciiSous 13, lost 1, no contest 1. Gibbons was knocked out in the twelfth round. This was the first and only occasion on winch Gibbons was knocked out in a ring career embracing 95 contests. DEMPSEY'S KECOHD. Rounds. Bob M'Alister K.O. 1 Jim k'lynn K.O. 1 Al. Norton K.O. 1 Homer Smith K.O. 1 Jim Flynn K.O. 1 Carl Morris K.O. 6 Bill Brennan K.O. 6 Arthur Pelky K.O. 1 Tom Reilly K.O. 1 Tom Macarthy K.O. 1 Dan Keteheli K.O. 1 Porky Flynn K.O. 1 Jack Smith K.O. 1 Bob Devore K.O. 1 Willie Meehan N.D. 1 Billy Miska N.D. lo Charley Miller K.O. 1 Terry Keller K.O. 1 Gunboat Smith K.O. -1 Tom McCarthy K.O. 1 Xox M'Carlhy K.O. X Fred Pulton K.O. 1 Terry Keller K.O. 5 Willie Meehan N’.D. 4 John Lsstor Johnson .. ~ N.D. 10 Jack Moran K.O. 1 Carl Morris K.O. 1 Tex. M'Cartby K.O. 8 Bob Devere K.O. 1 Porky Flynn K.O. 1 Billy Miska n.D. 6 Battling Levinsky K.O. 3 Forky Flynn K.O. 1 Gunboat Smith K.O. 2 Billy Miske N.D. 6 Carl Morris K.O. 1 1019. Jan. 22—Big Jack Hickey K.O. 1 Jan. 23—Kid Harris .. .. K.O. 1 Jan. 29—Kid Henry .. .. K.O. 1 Feb. 13—Eddy Smith .. .. K.O. 1 April 2—Tory Drake .. .. K.O. 1 July I—Jess Willard .. .. K.O. 4 1920. Sept. G—Billy Miako .. .. K.O. 3 Sept. —Bill Brennan .. .. K.O. 12 1021. July 2.—Geo. Carpentier .. K.O. 4 1023. July 4—Tom Gibbons .. .. W.P, 15 Sept. 17 —L. Firpo .. .. K.O. 2 1926. Sept. 23—G. Tunney .. .. W.P. 10 THE NEW CHAMPION. Gene Tunney, the new champion, has a record which indicated that he would bo a formidable contender for the title. Until recently he was officially described as the light heavy-weight champion of America, despite the fact that a fellow countryman, Jack Slattery, is the holder of the world’s title at this weight. His decisive victory over Georges Carpentier two years ago, when he almost outclassed the Frenchman, disclosed Tunney as a genuine champion. Shortly afterwards he knocked out Tom Gibbons, who had returned from Britain flushed with victory over Jack Bloomfield. ft is interesting to note, in this connection, tha Jack Dempsey failed to knock out Gibbons and could only win on points. In 1924 Tunney fought 11 bouts, and last year he was in five ring battles. He faced Hirry Greb twice. He knocked out Tom Gibbons, Jack Herman, and Bartley Madden, among others. Thera may be some question about the merit of victories over boxers of this type. It may not have required unusual ring ability to beat them, but the fact remains that Tunney was active and that he kept in dose touch with the game. He did not give himself a chance to soften in idleness. Only a few years ago he lacked the aggressiveness which was necessary for a successful fighter. But aggressiveness has come to him slowly and gradually. His lias not been a fast, definite development. He is a popular figure in the boxing world and there will be general atisfaclion among followers of the sport that ho has succeeded at the first attempt in wresting the title from a bolder who has been rather more than diffident in consenting to meet aspirants to the championship. DEMPSEY’S CAREER. Jack Dempsey’s rise from oblivion to the championship was meteoric, and it was through the power in his two great arms that he punched his way to the world's heavy-weight title. Dempsey avoided no matches, and was willing to meet any man named to oppose him. Ho was a Western product, born in Manassa, Col., on June 24, 1595. He never was classed as a clever man, though he never was given the rating of a dub us a boxer. But his ability to punch so dominated his entire ring career that all he had to do was to get inside the guard of his man and one punch was enough to place his opponent on the road to defeat. Dempsey came along just about the time that men of mastodonic proportions were dominating the top in boxing. There was Jess Willard, more than six feet in height, and weighing more than 250 pounds. Fred Fulton, another six-foot-six battler, was a serious contender, not to overlook Carl Morris, who towered above six feet and weighed around 260 pounds. But Dempsey bowled over all opposition hastily. He stopped Morris twice and ended Fulton’s aspirations in eighteen seconds. Bill Brennan, Porky Flynn, Gunboat Smith, Buttling Levinsky, Arthur Pelky, Dan Smith, Jim Flynn. Terry Keller, Dan Keteheli, and Bob Dcvcrc were among his knock-out victims. But it was Dempsey's ability to punch Willard into submission so decisively that won for him not only the admiration and respect of ring followers, but the experts acclaimed him as one of the greatest hitters that ever wore a heavy-weight title. Previous to this critics bemoaned the fact that we had no more hitters of the class of John L. Sullivan and Bob Fitzsimmons. But Dempsey came on the scene, and in the bouts he had since he won the title, no man has stayed the limit with him. His victims were Billy Miske, Bill Brennan, Georges Carpentier, and Tom Gibbons, and Luis Firpo-Gibbons, perhaps extended him the most, going fifteen rounds before the referee’s decision at Shelby. Prior to that Brennan had gone twelve rounds before taking the count at Madison Square. Miske had been counted upon to give him a battle, as in two previous bouts, one at ten rounds and the other at six rounds, Miske had given Dempsey a good fight, only to lose on points. Dempsey has taken part in sixty-nine ring battles, and has compiled forty-seven knock-outs. He lost one on a knock-out, three on decision, lyul is credited with two official draws.