The Washington critic., 1886-01-06
FORTUNES or THE RING.
Athletes who Have Won Plenty of
Money and Rcnown.

When a well known sporting authority
York audience, the athlete was much de-
spised individual, far more so than he is at
the present moment, but the causes were
totally dissimilar
At that time Paddy Ryan of Troy was the
idol OF the sporting fraternity, and many
thought him far superior to John Morrissey
Now very few people even think of Paddy
Ryan, and the rising generation do not even
know who is meant If his name happens to
be casually mentioned. So much for fame.
II was at the time above referred to that
the writer took occasion TO give the now
disgraccd champion a piece of advice,
which bad he pro6ted by it, would have
saved him many an aching head and his
friends many an aching heart. The warn
ing was in these words:
"This insane prejudice will soon die out
and you will find yourself occupying the
position that your antagonist has. You are
on the high road to fortune, and II you do
not travel in the same footsteps that
many n champion has left behind him all
will he well. The day may come when
some younger and stronger athlete than
yourself will knock you out, but there is far
more willy antagonist to be dreaded than any
that exists in the flesh and blood II Is
strong drink. That has knocked out more
men than all the crosscounters or upper
cuts ever administered. Leave rum alone
and you will not only earn money but the
respect Of all you come in contact with.
Once give way to 1t and your downfall will
be speedier than your rise. This has been
the history of the ring and its champions
since the days Of Jem Becher. All made
money like horses and spent II like asses.
In fact they invariably euded their DAYS in
the amshouse, were killed in drunken brawls
or took their own lives in order to escape
the tortures that no human being could in
1ct.n
How this advice was followed is now the
sensational topic of the hour. Sullivan has
made mOney-sacks of 1t; but while gain
ing golden laurels he has been earning the
contempt of all who came in contact with
him. Instead of improving his system and
learning new tactics, he spent his time in
idle and pernicious habits, quarreling with
every one he came In contact with. lie
went the same old road that has brought all
the great boxers, excepting one or two, up
with round turn,
This is to be deplored In one so young and
whose future seemed to be so bright. He
says he will reform; perhaps he will, and
while he.is doing so 1t would be well to
trace the career of some of the great gladi-
ators who have gone before him. This may
bring about the desired effect.
Nearly century and a half ago, Or to
be more exact, 1910, Jack Broughton was
the Sullivan of his day-n fact, he may be
truly called the father of boxing us it is
now understood. He was the inventor or
introducer of the boxing gloves, and was re-
puted to be very wealthy, but the end saw
him dependent on other people.
rlt ont nft ftAr I'm, T,,.
Waid, one of the most accomplished boxers
Of any era. Not only was he great man
with his hands In a pugilistic sense, but
record says he was very clever with the
brush and palette. 1t is even intitnated
that Ward painted the picture of the Sayers
and Ileenan fight at Farnsboro, which con-
tains over five hundred portraits OF the
leading athletes of England and America.
This man is the hest illustration OF the
foolish policy adopted by men who think
that because nature has endowed them with
strength and science enough to knock every
one out their admirers should stick to them
through life This is what has brought so
many to the suicides grave.
Ward himself was the recipient of charity
ard died in the Licensed Victuallers' Asy-
lum, which, though far above the poor-house
showed conclusiyely that he had saved none
Of the the thousands of pounds that had
been showered upon him by his admirers.
Ward was most unfortunate man in
more ways than one, and he was beaten by
men who never had any license to be con.
sidered his superior In any of the attributes
which go to make up q fighting man. His
friends could never understand how these
defeats were brought about They thought
that he had sold out, and many accused him
of abject cowardice, but his overthrow was
not due to either cause. His free style OF
living and craving for something stronger
than water is given as the real reason.
Were Jem Ward the only example that
could be pointed out 1t would be enough to
the purpose of showing Sullivan where he
will land, but the old-timer is only one OF
a great many instances. Deaf Burke, who
came to this country thirty years ago, was
another Of the foolish ones. This individ
ual travelled through the United States
much In the same manner that Sullivan has
been doing for the past eight months, and
1t really ended his career, for when he re-
turned to England he was perfect wreck
After Deaf Burke came Tom Sayers, who
drank often, deep and long. His early de-
mise has been attributed to his encounter
with John G. Heenan. In fact, the pair are
said to have been brought to untimely
graves by the others terrific punching. In
point of fact, both gave themselves up tc
incorporate habits, and then IL was the old
story. Sayers died without a penny to ms
name, and his eldest son had to take to the
serio-comic singing in order to gain livel
hood. o
Joe Wormald, another English pugillst
who came to this country, died in poverty
and his burial expenses had to be borne 10y
sympathizing friends Yankee Sullivan
comes in the same category, and NeC
O'Baldwin was saved the knowledge o.
want by falling before fellow slugger',
weapon.
or course there are some men who hay,
not only made fortunes out Of prize lighting
but have had sense enough to keep thei
money Tom King Is striking eXemplIilca
tlon. At the present time this eX-champioI
Is living in luxury In England, aud few
would think that the faultlessly attiret
gentleman with the iron gray side whlsller
was once noted pugillst
II is such men as these that Sullivan ant
Mitchell should try to emulate, then tn,
term of skin. n.slugger would not attach Il
them, Tom King never did queer actor
In his life.
It is to be hoped that the Boston Hercule
VIII take advantage of this sound piece o
advice; better that he should become al
lawful Gardner" than go to his grave lik,
some Of the by gone champions.
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Death or Lieutenant &. NJ. BaiIy.
The Adjutant-General has been In