Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-03-18
TINE PROPOSED BATTLE
Betwesn John L. Sullivan and Mer-
win Thompson. of Cleveland-De-
tails of the Match and What the
Champion Says About 1t.

vim Thompson, OF Cleveland-De-
tails of the Match and What the
Champion Says About 1t.
Considerable excitement was created
in sporting circles by the dispatches Of
Sunday morning, announcing that q
match had been. made in Chicago be-
tween Pat Sheedy and Duacan G. Ross
to have Meryin Thompson. of Cleveland,
Ohio, meet John L. Sullivan in fight
with or without gloves, for $4,000 side.
Thompson is said to be physically Sulli-
vans equal, and is likely to prove the
most formidable opponent the champion
has ever met. In height he stands feet
liz inches, weighs 220 pounds, and his
flesh is as firm and hard as stone. He
measures As inches around the chest and
Is inches around the biceps. His mus
cular development is perfect and he is
most striking specimen of strength and
physical manhood. He has the same
muscular attractions below the shoul-
ders that have made Sullivan so famous,
and has the finest fighting neck and head
imaginable. 1t is known that he is a
stronger man than Sullivan, and already
many knowing ones in the East hail the
new man as the coming champion, who
will take the belt from the "Boston
boy"
A HERALD reporter called upon Sulli.
van at the Pico House, last evening, and
after reading the dispatch relative to
the proposed match, asked him if he
was ready to accept Thompson's PROPOSE
ton. In reply he said:
"Yes; I will accept. provided the
match is made for not less than $1,000
side. and will meet Thompson with or
without gloves, the match to be fought
to the finish. Any match Mr.. Sheedy
makes, Mr.. Smith and I will stand by"
Then you have not retired from the
ring, as has been generally supposed?p
81 have retired, but on account of
Mr.. Sheedy putting up $500, I will
stand by him, SO that they cannot get
away with bluff Guess it is scheme
for half gate money, the same as that
man Robinson worked in San Fran
CISCO"
"Will you fight according to English
prize rules or Marquis of Queensbury"
81 will fight by Marquis Of Queens
bury rules, for they make man fight if
he has got it in him. Under these rules
| will be ready to meet Thompson or
any man within reasonable time.
shall be in New Orleans by the first of
April, and if the fight is made it will
probably come off in that vicinity"
AL Smith said to the reporter: 81
telegraphed Sullivan's acceptance to
Sheedy, though l believe it is big bluff
at my man. I know Thompson and he
is only third-rate man, and $1,000 q
side is q pretty good match. There will
be no gate money, and the fight will no
doubt be without gloves. had not ex.
pected to have Sullivan meet anyone
until we arrive at New York, when the
match between him and Pendergast will
take place, and Mitchell also will have
chance to redeem himself. However, as
Mr.. Sheedy made the match in Chicaso o
with Thompson, we will stand by it.
Sullivan is in better condition than for
some time past, and Saturday night at
the sparring match did some hard hit
ting which nearly knocked Steve Taylor
off his feet"
1t is reported that man in Tombstone
is now in training to meet Sullivan on
bis arrival there, and it is asserted by
competent judges that the champion is
liable to get knocked out" before he
has chance to meet Thompson.
Later in the evening the reporter
showed the following dispatch to Sulli-
van in reply to his acceptance of the
challenge from Thompson:
Duncan C. Ross, backer OF Mervine
Thompson, said to an Associated Press
reporter at one o'clock this morning, af.
ter being shown an Associated Press dis.
patch from Los Angeles, he doesn't
propose any gate money affair, but wants
fair eight and the regular championship
prize ring rules, and would prefer to
have it in private room with only four
or six present on each side. He propos es
to put up 81. 900 with the Police Gazette
at New York as soon as he reaches
Cleveland"
"All right" said the champion; 81
will make fight any way he wants it,
with or without gloves, in any way or
by any rules, in a private room or in the
ring. it is all the same to me; the fight
to be fought to the finish for $1,000
side. said would never fight with
bare hands again, but I'll chance it once
with this duck. My money is up and
have te!egraphed to Sheedy in Chicago
that will stand by any match he makes.
There is no chance now for Thompson to
back out, and he has got to fight, and I
am only too anxious to match him. I
supposeyou heard about that little affair
last nighi!'
The reporter replied that he had and
left the famous man of strength and
science to finish his supper in company
with Chief Cuddy and Judge Morgan.