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Imperial Valley Press
El Centro, Imperial County, California
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Historical account of the 1923 Dempsey-Firpo heavyweight title fight in New York City, where champion Jack Dempsey knocked out challenger Luis Firpo in the second round, attracting 82,000 fans and over $1 million in gate receipts.
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Four Years Ago
By DOC REID
Four years ago today, the second battle of the century was staged when Jack Dempsey, world's heavyweight champion, and Luis Firpo, the Argentine, clashed at New York City. Firpo, who could neither read, write nor speak English, came to this country displaying a record of knockout victories over several South American fighters and succeeded in interesting Tex Rickard with the result that he was soon being featured in the latter's big attractions at Madison Square Garden, New York City.
By virtue of victories over several American fighters, including Bill Brennan, Charley Weinert and Jess Willard, he gained a chance at the coveted title, but was knocked out by the champion in the second round of a scheduled 15 round titular bout.
The affair created world wide interest and drew the second largest gate in the history of the game, amounting to $1,177,404 and attracting 82,000 persons. For his five minutes work, Firpo received $150,000 and Dempsey $493,000.
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New York City, Madison Square Garden
Event Date
Four Years Ago Today
Story Details
Luis Firpo, an illiterate Argentine boxer, came to the US with a record of knockouts, impressed promoter Tex Rickard, defeated American fighters including Bill Brennan, Charley Weinert, and Jess Willard, earning a title shot against heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey. In their 15-round bout in New York City, Dempsey knocked out Firpo in the second round, drawing 82,000 spectators and a gate of $1,177,404; Firpo earned $150,000, Dempsey $493,000.