" Good Old Jack "

The world is about to sit in on the solution of the ancient problem of what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable barrier. Luis Angel Firpo, Argentine heavyweight boxer, has demonstrated his irresistibility on several notable occasions. William Harrison Dempsey, American heavyweight, has sat immovable on the stool reserved for world's champions since July 4, 1919.

Phidippides and most Greek athletes were warriors, as well sportsmen. Not infrequently they also had considerable artistic attainments. A Greek athlete might have his popularity enhanced by his reputation as a hoplite or a poet. Not so with Jack Dempsey. His War record does not endear him to the American people; nor do his literary attainments. Yet for the first time since he became champion, he is now "good old Jack."

The primitive person of Luis Angel Firpo represents a South American invasion which Dempsey alone can stop. America's attitude toward Dempsey has changed. Dempsey is defending honor, the sporting honor of the American flag. That his defense is based solely on the fortune involved does not affect the public fancy. He is a dominant idol. Never before has he felt the spotlight glow of popularity. If he should fail to win, his goose, with all its golden eggs, is finally cooked.

In a way the fight is reminiscent of the John L. Sullivan-James J. Corbett struggle in 1892. Sullivan was equipped with the most powerful right hand that ever dealt a knockout; he was short, heavy and slow. Corbett was known as the " dancing master. He cut Sullivan to pieces at long range and never once did the great right hand jar the opposing jaw. Skill won the world's championship and has retained it ever since. Now Firpo climbs into the ring to win it back again for bone and muscle. He climbs in perfectly conditioned despite his unique training methods. He brings with him a strange fatalistic belief in his success.

But, most important, he brings a deep respect for his opponent which Sullivan never held for Corbett. Dempsey faces him with startling speed, uncanny skill and a jab in either hand that bites like a hatchet. He is probably not the fighter of four years ago that launched Willard into a pugilistic eternity from which he recently endeavored to return. His timing and his eye have dulled a trifle.

Yet he will fear the Argentine to pieces in the early rounds. The result will lie in Firpo's ability to pick up the pieces. He must allow himself to be pounded to a pulp dispassionately. He must retain enough vitality to explode the dynamite of his right hand in the hole which the champion must leave in his defense before the fight is done. Expert opinion judges him unskilled to do these things.

The fight takes place at the Polo Grounds (New York National League baseball park), Manhattan, September 14. It will go 15 rounds to a decision. Tex Rickard is the promoter. Dempsey will enter $300,000 in his profit column when the fight is finished; Firpo will receive 12 1/2 % of the receipts with a guaranteed minimum of $100,000. The winner will hold the most valuable asset in professional sport -- the heavyweight boxing championship of the world. Wrote Firpo in a New York newspaper : " I am not such a big fool that I do not have respect for the champion of the world. But then, too, I am not such a big fool that I do not know that the champion of the world is a human being, like anybody, and I know that any one who is a human being will be knocked out if I hit him in the proper place on the jaw with my right fist."