Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-04-19

THE CHAMPION FIGHT.

THE CHAMPION FIGHT
The editor of Wilkes Spirit Of the Times.
writing from London under date of March 80,
gives further particulars about the condition
of Heenan and Sayers. He says of the first:
If he progress uF to his climax without mis-
hap or further interference, he will, am sure,
give much better satisfaction to his friends,
than the odds against him represents. Per-
haps he may be able to give the other side a
new illustration of the uncertainty Of all .'sure
things"
L am inclined to think that this last devel.
opment Of the odds has been brought about
mainly by an absurd report that a third-rate
English pugilist has recently set-to with Hee-
nan, and 'bested" him, as the pugilistic
phrase goes, with the greatest ease. In short,
that the American could not keep the English
man hands ''out of his face" 1t was in vain
that L told several intelligent gentlemen that
England never saw man that could deal with
Heepan In that wsy-they attribute my pro-
test to my patriotism, and adhered to the no.
ton that the English champion would have it
all his own way; in short, that Savers would
make the fighting from the start, and that the
night would be without any variation of sue
cess. Fortunate is it for the friends of Heenan
should he win, that he is held so cheap, for
their harvest will be all the richer in the end
About Sayers he says:
.,
as he told me in his letter, no mystery in it,
and he merely takes the usual means of man
who wishes to keep himself in good health by
proper food and active exercise. He rises at
SIX In the morning, and after cold bath takes
a brisk four mile walk, and then comes home
to breakfast, which he takes at eight o'clock.
A nicely broiled steak, or chop, with bread
and butter, boiled or pOached eggs. forms the
foundation of his morning exercise; and after
1ounging about for while, he sets out for q
walk Of some twelve or fourteen miles This
brings him up to dinner, after which, when
another period of repose has intervened, he
takes another walk of about eight miles
Sometimes he makes the walk longer, and
sometimes less, just as he may happen to feel
inclined, and resisting absolutely any fixed
routine He does no sparring, no fighting at
the bag, though he occasionally practices
with the dumb-bells. Most of all his exer-
oIses, however, is in the shape of pedestrian
iSm, and bis friend Fuller. though one of
the best pedestrians in England cannot
share rod for rod of his walks with him. To
use Fuller's words, he sends Sayers round
about while he cuts acrost, and in that way he
makes himself his companion at points and in
stalments of the journey. He does not require
any trainer at all, as do other pugilists. A
companion is all that is necessary to him, and
he frequently dispenses with him altogether
by setting out alone. He requires no watch
ing, and he needs no mentor, for his pride is
his guardian, and in the way of knowledge
and experience, he is at the head of his pro-
fessiOn. The only other portion of his train
Ing is an occasional game of football, quoits,
or some casual outdoor pastime that strikes his
fancy, while in the evening he is very fond of
dropping in at the White Hart, and indulgipg
In game of billiards. This mode of prepara-
tion Is, therefore, widely at variance with the
usual strict routine which is imposed on the
unfortunate neophytes who fall into the hands
OF technical trainers, and we believe he is all
the better for keeping in good health in q nat
ural msnner. His weight at the present time
Is lis lbs. and he will fight only two or three
pounds heavier Those two or three pounds
will be put on him the last two or three days,
so that he will feel a jocund and expanding q
condition. He cannot look better, and in con-
hdence he is complete. do not believe he has
any more idea of losing the fight than of being
made Premier of England. He is still very
sore about the manner in which Heenan treated
him, by not keeping his engagement for an in
terview just after the arrival of the latter,
though he does not put it in the shape of a
complaint. He has made up his mind that he
will never know what weight Heenan will fight
at, as after his statement to the editor of Bell
Life, that he would fight at less than IT'S lbs,
1T Is not likely he will 90 to scale to invalidate
his words. As the championship is a battle of
catch weight" Heenan may refuse, and in
that way there may always be an unknown
question about this extraordinary match.
1t Is very remarkable thing, that so ac-
complShed pugiliSt as Sayers is entirely a
novice, or what is worse, entirely incapable,
as fancy sparrer, with the gloves on. The
most indifferent practitioners get the best of
him in artistic and what is called scientific
hitting, and he never yet appeared at pugt-
lstic exhibition and came of with credit. lie
Is man of war entirely; no holiday hitting
suits him, and he changes his style and tactics
in every battle, exactly to suit his man. When
the coming fight with Heenan was discussed in
his presence on a certain occasion by four ac-
complished pugilists who we're his friends, he
listened attentively to all the plans proposed,
and though each, when developing their views,
kept looking towards him for a response or ac-
9uiescence, he did not once give sign or word.
Finally, one of them said, Well come now,
Tom, you have heard all our opinions about
this matter. just tell US how you think you are
going to fight him." Tom, who was standing
with his back towards the fire, looked quietly
at the questioner for several moments, and
then: when they expected his views were COM
ing, he merely answered:
How can tell?"
And how could he tell how he should de, /
with an Ajax he had never seen, and whose
style he had yet to learn? 80 .'-r
His mode Of fighting is in all respects pecu
liar and it is very singular that for a man of
such wondrous prowess, he is very easily
kuocheu uoWn Inc oettlnR Is consequently
to 1, freely offered, that Heenan, with his
straight left-handers, sends him first to earth.
Though a small man, he fights with q very low
heeled shoe, barely more than half an inch in
height, and the sole under the hollow of the
footis made very elastic and soft. so as to give
at every rIotion of the foot. He stands we'll
forward. and almost on the very tips of his
toes; so that to see him when fighting, with his
arms extended and rather up above q level, he
looks to every eye a man of feet 10 or ii, in
stead OF feet 81 inches Altogether, he is
doubtless the most extraordinary man that ever
appeared in the prize ring, and is fully desery-
ing Of the pride which his countrymen have in
vested in him. The 10th of April win decide
whether that pride is destined to lose a portion
of its bloom. -
must not close this letter without cbron-
icling the arrival of John Morrissey. and an.
pressing my qualification at the good opinion
he has created. He came by the Africa. and
on landing in Liverpool was received with A
perfect ovation. He and his friends, in fact.
were obliged to leave. to escape the compli-
mentary attentions of the crowd: and in Lon
don Morrissey has scarcely created less atten-
tom
IL Mr.. Harrison and Miss Smith were mar
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