Chapter Twenty-One
The BetSaratoga, New York
August 15, 1926
When Kelly and Costello arrived at the White Sulphur Spring Hotel, over one thousand people were already in attendance. Each had paid one dollar to watch the great Jack Dempsey train for his upcoming title defense against Gene Tunney. The Dempsey/Tunney fight was set for September 23, 1926 in the Sesquicentennial Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although Dempsey primarily trained in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the champion would break up the monotony by performing boxing exhibitions in various communities across the Northeast.
Today was Kelly’s big shot – his opportunity of a lifetime. He had dreamed of becoming a professional prizefighter his entire life. In Kelly’s mind, he had the ability and the desire. Al
