The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-10-28
JOHN L. SULLIVAN'S BEGINNING.

How He Was Taken In Hand by an Ex-
pert With the Gloves-His Temper.
Madden first saw Sullivan at a sparring
match in Boston. Sullivan was much too
heavy and clumsy for fine work, but the look
Of dogged determination, not TO say ferocity,
his features wore, well as his immense
muscular development, attracted Madden's
attention, and he remarked to an old Boston
sporting man, "There stands the coming
champion of the world" The Boston man
appeared to have some doubts the ques-
ton, but did not strongly dissent on account
of Maddens reputation as a judge. This was
in 1880. Madden decided on the spot that
there was much money in a partnership be
tween himself and Sullivan. He hinted as
much to the Boston man. Sullivan took the
hint and closed with the offer. He was quite
green n pugilist at the time. He con-
sidered himself wonderfully strong, and
knew SO little about science that he thought
strength was all he needed to fight his way to
the top of the heap. Madden quickly showed
him the fallacy of this notion, and Sullivan
was very much astonished to discover that in
spite of his immense strength Madden, who
looked like STRIPPING i'll comparison, could
tap him where he pleased. Madden, with his
pale olive complexion, made paler by its con-
trast with his jet black hair and mustache
and piercing black eyes, his easy converse
modest demeanor, was the exact opposite
of all that constituted good man" in Sulli-
vans opinion when he first put on the gloves
with his partner
The coming champion changed his opinion
when he found that his manager had physical
strength well as science and a foresight
that showed the Boston mans judgment away
in the background In undertaking to polish
and manage Sullivan Madden learned that he
y,.xy -t-I-
mental as well rs his physical energies. He
found Sullivan possessed of tremendous
strength, and. for n man of his size wonder
fully agile. Sullivan at this time was ter
rifle hitter, but expended too much force on
his blows. He had no scientific knowledge,
and exhausted himself with exertions from
which no adequate benefit was received
When he stood up to spar he planted his feet
as If they We're nailed to the ground. His
argument was that it was more difficult to
knock him down when he stood in this fashion
than il he danced on his toes and made an
effort to avoid his opponents blows. He was
q mere tyro in stopping and feinting-in fact,
had much to forget and everything to learn.
His temper was mild and equable as that
Of Texas steer, and he had a pleasant habit
of occasionally throwing all his strength into
a blow when a mere tap was expected He
also had fondness for stimulants that was
apt to override every consideration at critical
periods. Altogether Mr.. Sullivan bore a
striking resemblance to n corpu1ent dynamite
cartridge, so delicately constructed that it
was liable to explode under the most gentle
handling. Yet the cartridge was handled
without fatal results for two years by Mad
den, who, in that period, revolutionized the
business and placed it on basis that not
only paid, but simply coined money for those
who conducted it judiciously.-New York
Sun.