London, April 18th, 1923.—Since the days of Jim Corbett no more polished exponent of the fistic art has graced the ring than our Bombardier Billy. Thunders of applause greeted his appearance in the "mystic square" last night. He flashed round his ponderous opponent, mesmerising him with the purity of his style, the accuracy of his hitting, the brilliance of his foot-work. He held the vast audience spell-bound. Beckett won on a knock-out in the second round.
London, August 11th, 1924.—Mr. Lovat Fraser in a powerful article (written entirely in italics) in The Daily Mail points out the fearful tension the peace of Europe is undergoing through the continued differences between Messrs. Cochran and Deschamps, and demands to know what the Premier is doing about it.
London, August 24th, 1924.—Mr. Lloyd George, acting under Mr. Lovat Fraser's orders, has gone to Lympne (kindly lent by Sir Philip Sassoon), where he will be joined by Mr. Cochran, M. Deschamps and M. Millerand.
London, September 30th, 1924.—The whole civilised world will rejoice to hear that the differences between Mr. C. B. Cochran and M. Deschamps have at last been amicably settled. The great fight for the world's heavy-weight championship is fixed to take place at Olympia on November 17th. Dempsey is to receive £100,000, Carpentier £75,000.
London, October 4th, 1924.—It appears that Olympia was already booked for November for The Daily Mail's Ideal Pyjama Exhibition, and Mr. C. B. Cochran has to-day issued a communiqué to the Press Association to the effect that the contest will be held definitely in Sark (Channel Islands) on December 23rd. He has hired the entire Cunard and White Star Fleets for the day, and those who cannot find standing room on the island will be provided with seats and telescopes in the ships' riggings. All will be welcome at fifty guineas a head.
New York, October 6th, 1924.—Dempsey denies that he is meeting Carpentier on December 23rd. He laughs at the idea of fighting for £100,000.
"Heaven knows I am not mercenary," he says, "but there's such a thing as a living wage."
London, October 7th, 1924.—Mr. C. B. Cochran, in an interview granted to our reporter yesterday, says that he has done with fight-promoting for ever and will in future concentrate on performing seals.
London, October 10th, 1924.—A sensation was caused at the Circle last night when an old man jumped unannounced into the ring and offered to fight anyone living to a finish for five pounds and a pint of beer for the sheer fun of the thing. The disturber, who was obviously out of his senses, was quickly removed. His identity has not so far been established, but he is thought to be a fighter of the old school escaped from confinement.
No authoritative announcement has been made as to who will assume Mr. Cochran's extensive boxing engagements, but rumour is busy with the name of Mr. Mallaby-Deeley.