Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-29

1t was important, however, because Sullivan
was expected to collapse in a sudden and mis-.
cradle way. He had for long time been liv-
ing in debauchery and dissipation, and good
authorities thought that no human constitu-
tion could recover from the effects of such
debauchery as he had INDUCED in. He sur
prised everybody, however by his tolerably
good condition on the day Of battle, and though
he was not in drst-class condition by any means
be was in good enough form to easily
defeat kilrain. The battle had
another feature, the effects Of which
Of the law with the principals. Each of the
pugilists has been sentenced to Imprisonment
for participating in the fight Kilrain is now
undergoing his and Sullivan has appealed The
lie prize fights so much so that fights Ofnational
note are almost impossible except under the
auspices of club and then they have TO be
with soft gloves. This is a very important
feature in the history Of American pngilism.
To me it seems that the time will not be long
in coming when it will be next to impossible TO
have bona fide prize fight Of any importance.
1t may safely be said that 1889 has
seen the glove system of fighting thoroughly
established. Of course, l am aware that
glove contests have been popular for some
tune. but what mean is that championship
contests in America must be decided with
gloves. AT present there seems 10 other course
that is, safe course-oDen. This will revolu-
tionize pugilism. The lesser weights and lesser
lights have not had an exceedingly remarkable
time. The most important event in these
by George La Blanche. That was surprise to
almost everybody who takes an interest in
prize ring matters The contest will 60 on
record as an important one, and think the
true account of it will show that Demp-
sey did not show up as the scien-
tifc terror that his ardent admirers deemed
him. The light weight championship is stiil
somewhat in doubt. Carroll claims it. but he
- se Gr-k.s nrrN
most interesting feature of pugilism during
the year has been the performances OF the
Australians, particularly jackson and SlaVin.
They have shown up in victorious form. If not
in first-class form. Australia and its admirers
have certainly been in great luck during the
year, and it has bestowed On them the lions
share of glory and money However, it is
questionable whether the Australian cham
during next year. At the end of the next II
months we may ind that they have not been
near first class.
Smith and sIavin.
Certainly one of the most disgraceful con-
tests known in the annals of the prize ring was
that between Jem Smith, champion of En-
gland. and Slavin, the Australian. Whatever
may have been the facts of the Sayers and
Heenan battle at Marlborough, or of the Car
ney and McAuliffe battle down East. these
pared with the affair of last Monday in Bel
gium. OF course it is not fair to assail the en-
tire spirit of British fairplay, because a few
paid blackguards were smuggled to the battle
scene to rob. kill or do anything else that
would prevent Smiths losing. No country
has monopoly of good men or
blsckguards The Pelican Club spoke the true
feeling of British opinion on the matter when
pion of England and also presented him with
a handsome purse. 1t seems to me certain that
Smith left England with the full conviction of
what was going 70 happen, and if this is so he
ought TO be stamped as the veriest cur that
ever entered ring. His movements in the
ring showed that there was prearranged pro-
gramme to carry out, and it was certainly car
ried beautifully and cowardly into effect. We
Certainly have heard the last of Smith. But
while he played most despicable part
cannot help thinking that the referee
acted very strangely. don't believe
scorning referees without the facts are exceed
ingly plain and conclusive. I've been there
before" A referee has very peculiar position
now and again, and he often Is in a position to
see things quite differently from the great bulk
of onlookers; beside, his responsibility often
checks impulsiveness and prompts caution. 1t
is, therefore, only fair te grant q referee more
than the usual latitude in coming to con-
clusion. However. the facts. or at least the re-
ports Of the fight are shown so clearly that the
entire disgraceful proceedings had been pre-
arranged, and that Smith violated the rules so
often that 1t does seem singular that the referee
did not at once give Slavin the fight But the
small amount of fighting there was showed
conclusively that Slavin is almost equal to two
Smiths. The Englishman is completely done.
There was time when he was good man, but |
his physical condition is against him. He is no
longer pugilist and as the art or his power to |
indulge in the art has left him so has,his man.
methods to prevent his own defeat The |
reason, therefore, that he should adjourn into |
obscurity is all the greater. Slavin is a better
man than many people thought him to be. |
although he cannot hnd anything like his |
true measure in his affair with Smith. The |
Australian, however. has some amount of
reason for saving that he is at least as-good as
jackson. don't think that the latter could |
have made any shorter work of Smith in 8 |
prize ring than did Slavin, but even if he could
that would be no comparison. Slavln has shown |
that he is pugilist of good merit more than |
once, and it would seem the best way out of q |
controversy for Slavin and Jackson to meet |
and settle the question of their superiority.
Were they TO meet now confess that / would |
be somewhat at a loss to chose my fayorite. |
Slav1n is certainly very Intelligent and pow |
with me. He has transacted his business In |
England in the shrewdest of ways, and depend |
upon it, will prove game whenever he is needed |
TO do SO. However, jackson has yet his real |
frst-class man in the prize ring to meet That |
he is a clever and powerful man 1 admit, but |
there is every reason to think that Slavin will |
test him very well l expect TO hear that they |
are matched to fight one of these days; that is. |
II buC gNOcpCCbc VI SOOu DucAuccc uOCc uOb l
cause 'Parson" Davies to keep Jackson away |
from possible or probable defeat for few |
months longer.
Brotherhood W. League.
Nothing very startling or sensational has oc-
Cured during the week in the conflict between |
the players and the League magnates. One of |
the most prominent events has been the filing |
of the suit against Jonn NJ. Ward by the New |
York National League club. The case comes |
up for argument on January 6, according to
present arrangements, and, of course, the at |
tention of the entire baseball world will be CEN
tered on the matter. would not for moment |
presume to say what the result will be; to me |
law is very, very uncertain piece |
of machinery. Que never knows |
which way the wheel is going TO |
turn. But will always hold that every player |
who signed League contract last year did so |
with the full understanding that his services |
could be claimed next year, if needed. Whether !
or not the law will decide for the fulfllment of
this understanding is another matter, But if |
the Court decides against the League, nothing |
will be left for j. to do but fight TO the bitter
end. and am inclined to think that such will |
be the case. Mr.. Ward judging from his pub
lie utterances, has not the least concern about |
the outcome of the case; he is certain that |
il will go against the League. If such |
should be the result it probably won't |
be a pity. because matters have gone |
a certain number of players and the old League |
it over now. Besides, were the injunction ap- |
nlied for frrantad xvnuId he vary /