Monday, Jan. 14, 1924

Active Firpo

Luis Angel Firpo will demonstrate his battering right in his native ring. He has selected as his opponent Farmer Lodge, incompetent U. S. heavyweight. On the Buenos Aires football field, they will fight 15 rounds, Feb. 10, for the Women's Charity Association of Buenos Aires. Lodge will receive $3,000 and traveling expenses.

Lodge, old, awkward, heavy, has never displayed first-class ability. He was a sparring partner for Dempsey during the latter's preparations for Firpo. Critics agree that Firpo has selected a "set-up."

Erminio Spalla, European heavyweight champ, sailed from Milan to meet Firpo at Buenos Aires. Spalla won his championship title last summer from Vandeveer, a Dutchman. At the time, Dr. Benito Mussolini saluted Spalla thus: "I embrace you. Now prepare yourself for the supreme trial. Having become champion of Europe, you must become champion of the world !"

Spalla had an agreement with Tex Rickard to fight Gene Tunney in New York, Feb. 1. By sailing for South America he showed himself to be a poor business man. Flattened by Firpo, he will be no drawing card in the U. S.

Firpo plans to arrive in America early in March to prepare for a return fight with Dempsey.