National Republican., 1883-06-05
A HARD HITTER.
Mr. Richard K. Fox Thinks He Has Found a
Man Who Can Whip Sullivan.
He Lives I'm England hut is Coming over
With Chip on His Shoulder.

Mr.. Richard K. Fox, prosperous proprietor
Of the Police Gdsette, and promotor-in. general
of prize fights wrestling matches, and boxing
displays, arrived in the city yesterday after
noon. He was accompanied by his wife, and
tho twain occupy an elegant suite of rooms
and parlors at the Ebbitt house. A reporter
Of The REPUBLICAN, who called last evening,
was cordially greeted by the sporting
editor and tho charming Mrs. Fox, n
lady whose natural beauty on that occa-
sion was set off by an elaborate white
dress and glittering array Of diamonds and
other sparkling jewels. Mr.. Fox brings with
him no very startling news from the istic
world, though ho assured the reporter that
tho American people would shortly be RECALLED
by an uncommonly interesting prize fight.
The uppermost idea of Mr.. Fox for the past
year or so has been to find q man TO whip Sui
livan, and he believes the individual has
been corraled in the wids Of England. The
name of tho hard hitter is too great n
secret to be divulged at present, but
1t is hintod that he occupies somewhat ex-
allied place in British nomenclature, and is to
be especially backed for all he is worth by
Mr.. George w. Atkinson, tho noted editor of
the London Sporting Life. Mr.. Fox says that
the mysterious and potential slugger will ar
rive in New York about the first of July /;
that challenge to Sullivan will be imme.
diately proclaimed, and that tho Boston
champion will bo compelled to fight or
take water. As TO whether Sullivan
will accept or not seems TO be n matter of
doubt, as tho gentleman is making so much
money with his soft glove symposiums that he
doesn't want to risk the loss of his present
prestige in serious fight.
"This Sullivan is a wonderful man." said
Mr.. Fox. "Ho is certainly one Of the most
powerful brutes in this country-all brute
with the sole instinct of crushing an oppo-
nent with irresistible blows. He is the boss Of
all contemporary products, though l don't
compare him with Hecnau, Sayors, Morrissoy,
and the other holy terrors of the old school"
OF course the editor of the Police Gdsette is
walking encyclopedia of arenic wisdom,
and, to his credit, IL must be said that he has
the courage to speak without qualification
concerning tho great lights of the squared
circle. He said he was heartily ashamed of
tho fdur pas he had made in bringing Tom
Allen back to this country. He had learned
when too late that Allen had been gravitating
to the gutter for SO many years during his
residence in England that his muscles had all
gone to shreds and patches, and he was only
a pitiable spectacle before the footlight'. As
to Slade he lacked too much in brutality for
prize fighting purposes, but served we'll as a
money making card.
Mr.. Fox is now devoting some attention to
tho promotion of the fine art of boxing in
Colorado, and he exhibited to the reporter a
beautifully embossed gold medal, of most
elaborate design, made by Tiffany, at u cost of
$3.50, which Is to DO forwarded to the sporting
editor Of the Denver Tribune, and which will
be awarded in the contest to take place in
that city soon.
Though Mr.. Fox was entirely unrestrained
in the expression of his views on sporting
NlAan a. II.
displayed marked reticence. This relates
to government photo-engraviug contract
upon which he is reported to have his bus-
ness eye, the final award of which is now in
process Of being made. The contract is for
the Photographic printing of the drawings
of the models in the patent Office. 1t Is said to
be rather fat job involving S1o0,00 more or
less. The bidders have been understood to
be Mr.. Norris Peters, Of this city, and the
Heliotype company, Of Boston, and now Mr..
Fox comes in to make third contestant for
the honor and the profit 1t was stated to the
reporter by well-informed gentleman that
several days ago tho commissioner of patents
signed n contract in favor of Mr.. Peters, and
that the contract is only awaiting the con-
firmatory signature Of the secretary of the
interior. In the meantime Mr.. Fox, co-op-
Grating with friends in Washington, has set
on foot u scheme to grab tho prize,
and is here now to consummate 1t
if everything is favorable. The reporter
was informed that Mr.. Fox's coadjutor here
is Capt. Mayne, a well-known patent lawyer,
and the informant stated that he had read q
letter, dated May 20, from Mr.. Fox to Capt.
Mayne on the subject. Under the law the
work to be done cannot be taken from the
district, and Mr.. Fox proposes, if he secures
the contract, to bring the necessary ma
chiuery for executing the job to Washington.
1t was on the foregoing matters that the
sporting editor betrayeda notable taciturnity.
In fact he was inclined to dissipate the thing
in vapor of laugh, as pretty good joke,
though he admitted that proposition in
volving these particulars had been made to
him.