[1918 article] on Joe Jeanette's challenge to Dempsey and Willard

Some background context for the events that led to Dempsey refusing to fight the aging Jeanette in an exhibition.
[EDIT: the original story on Jeannette's challenge ran in the New York Tribune on October 24th, almost a month before Dempsey ultimately refused to fight Willard]


Jeanette Has a Novel Scheme that Looks Good to Sportdom, El Paso Herald, Nov. 2, 1918

New York, Nov. 2.—Of all the heavyweights who are now parading the highways of pugilism there is none who is more widely known or who has done more to uplift the game than Joe Jeannette. Had not Jack Johnson persistently refused to meet Jeannette when he was in his prime not a few are of the opinion that Joe would have ascended the throne and been one of the most popular champions of all time […]

When it was recently announced that the united war work council was to conduct a big sports drive from November 11 to 18 in an effort to raise funds with which to supply the soldiers and sailors abroad and at home with athletic equipment and provide them with entertainment Jeannette saw a chance for him to do ‘his bit.’ He has wade through with the following proposition:

Has Plan.

‘Will you permit me to offer a suggestion, which I believe, if carried out will add a good many thousand dollars to the united war work council find.

‘I have offered to fight gratis any of the leading heavyweights for any war charity. I now propose to request Mr. James W. Coffroth to match me with Jack Dempsey or Jess Willard. They cannot honestly advance the worn out excuse of the colorline,’ for the money earned from this fight will be used by these wonderful organizations to help amuse and succor our gallant fighters, irrespective of race, color or creed.

Will Surrender Title.

‘The fact that I am supremely confident of beating Willard or Dempsey is not my reason for wanting to meet them. They may claim that I want a chance to win the world’s championship. That title means nothing to me. I am so sure to beating either of this pair that I will sign an agreement to immediately retire and turn over the championship to the United States army and navy with the understanding that they can offer the title to be fought for between men in the service, for that is where the heavyweight championship of the world rightfully belongs. They are the rea fighters—we of the padded mitts are more or less boxers.

‘Willard won his title from a colored man—one whom I never had any personal or physical regard for. Jack Johnson admitted in Paris that he would not fight me, as he wanted to be the only colored man to be the world’s champion. I never was hysterical over Willard’s ability. A ‘champion’ who could not beat Frank Moran decisively was a poor champion. As for Dempsey. He may be a great fighter. However, I have noticed in the papers where he repudiated two matches with Kid Norfolk, who I have twice defeated.

‘I would like to get some action on this, for I will shortly go on the road for the commission on training camp activities. My duties will take me to the various camps, where I am to instruct and have charge of the colored troops’ physical welfare.

‘My challenge to Willard and Dempsey is for a fight for a good cause, and it can be staged for eight, 10 rounds or to a finish.’

Although Jeannette has long since passed the age when most fighters have had their fling and are on the dusty road toward oblivion, he undoubtedly would be able to make either Dempsey or Willard step lively to hold their own against him. He has always been a man who has taken good care of himself. He has never indulged in excesses and is now reaping his reward. His recent bouts with Kid Norfolk proved that he is still a master boxer and has not skidded as far backward as many were prone to believe.

Would Draw Well.

There is not the slightest doubt that his offer has been made in all sincerity. Nor is there the slightest doubt that were he matched to box either Dempsey or Willard the ‘gate’ would be a big one. It would be the supreme test for Dempsey. Were he to emerge a decisive victor none could gainsay that Dempsey was the logical successor to Willard should the socalled champion persist in loafing in his armchair at home. OF course, there is little chance of Willard being prevailed upon to meet Jeannette. Willard may not fear the issue, but he appreciates the fact that he would have to be in the same perfect condition that enabled him to beat Jack Johnson to withstand Jeannette.

Of all the propositions that have been advanced none has been more fair than this one of Jeannette’s. HE agrees that should he succeed in stripping Willard of the heavyweight championship he will immediately retire and turn the title over to the army and navy to let the REAL fighters battle for it.

This shows that he is not seeking the money that would go with such a victory. He apparently would be content with the glory and satisfied in the knowledge that he had done all in his power to help put this forthcoming drive over the top. Jeannette wants to do what he recognizes as his bit for the soldiers and sailors. Will either Dempsey or Willard answer?

 

Wrong thread, Louis?