BOXING.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 October 1921, Page 3

BOXING.

WILLARD AND DEMPSEY. TO MEET AGAIN. A week or two ago we were told that .Yess Willard and Jack Dempsey had been matched to meet again on July 4 next year. The following matter appeared in the New York files of August 6: — ‘Tex Rickard and Ray Archer, Jess Willard’s personal representative, conferred here yesterday regarding a return bout for the former ckatmplon with Jack Dempsey, the present title holder, but decided to mark time for a while before making a decision. “Archer informed Rickard that the recent telegram sent by Willard from Kansas su>.nmed up the situation, and that if tiie bout were to be arranged he would be ready in January. "The ruling of the New York State Boxing Commission has complicated cnatters somewhat in arranging this bout. Willard Will have to do some tall digging to get a ninth certificate that will permit him to pass under the 38-year-old harrier raised by the governing body. | "If Willard could ne ready before the ! weather became cold, Riekaid, if he found I that he could not stage the match in New ' York, might easily transfer it to Jersey City i But the time limit for conditioning himself I set by Jess, precludes that move unless Tex i makes a further renewal of his lease and- : i olds tie match off until next spring or summer. "This match is what is apparently holding un Dempsey. The champion has been awaiting word from Jack Kearns, his manager, for a couple of weeks now whether to return to New York or be in readiness to make a tour abroad. A European trip Is the only means Dempsey has of .making a big sum of money while the promoters are trying to discover somebody who can give him some kind of fight, and it is probable this will be undertaken if something definite is not decided on about a Willard bout soon.

"Though there can he no confirmation gained for this story as yet. It is repeated with seme show of truth that Tex Rickard is very anxious to get together for his Jersey City arena a pair of bouts that will involve the cl aropionship of the white heavyweights and the colored men. • “The way the story is told is that there wilt be a belt for the colored championship offered. The color line for years has been a source, of trouble. It is expected that by having two championships, one for the colored men and another for the white fighters, that a line between the races will be established that will be satisfactory to both sides “And thinking it over carefully, it appears to be not a bad Idea. The colored heavyweights would get an opportunity of showing before large crowds for good purses, and sc long ns each race had its own honors to strive for" the racial prejudices would not be cropping up all the time. •Trobably in time these would be knocked cut by the aforementioned series, and it would possible to lime colored men compete with white boxers for the world title without causing an unpleasantness that often arises now nt mention of such a plan.