Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-22

known many young fellows in En-
gland who had fought 20 battles before they
reached their prime. OF course, where Z
mans life is full of such experiences ht
natures physically all the faster and is the
sooner worn out.
Sullivan, Think, was at his best five OF
six years ago, when he met Dominick Nc.
Cafrev and Charley Mitchell. He was then
about 25 years of age. Both Mitchell and
McCAfrey were good men, the former being
the cleverest of his class who ever came to
this country from England. He gave Sulli-
van the hest fight he ever had, both in box
ing in New York and when they met in the
prize ring near Chantilly, in France.
WILL SULLIVAN LAST?
Sullivan began at the age OF 16 or IL. He
has had many experiences crowded into the
wears since then, and it is difficult to under
stand how he could be quite as good man
as when be was at his natural prime, half a
dozen years since; yet he might easily be
the best man in America. At the age of 40
he will be merely a wreck.
The question has often been asked: Has
the negro the grit and the staying qualities
of the white pugilist? Can be stand the
punishment and face the music as we'll, and
is he his equal in skill? know of no reason
why eolored fighter would not possess all
of these qualities. There have been several
noted pugilists of color at different times
who have made surprising records.
One of the earliest and best was Thomas
Molineux, who was called in England ''The
Morocco Prince" and who won nine battles
in his day. Another was Bob Travers, whose
real name was Charley Black. Travers won
everything before him until he was beaten
by Job Cooley in 1856. He was afterward
dafa otadh hy-T in
another Molineux who fought eight battles.
Still another good fighter was George
Pierce. All were tremendous hitters. Bill
Richmond was an American colored
pugilist, a native of this State, who won
half dozen good battles, his most famous
fight being with Tom Cribb in England.
which ne lost after two hours battle
George Godfrey, who lately distinguished
himself by putting Jack Ashton to sleep, is
another negro pugilist of more than the
average prowess. His victory over Ashton,
who was the travelling and boxing mate of
Sullivan, was something of a surprise.
Ashton had scored some capital triumphs.
beating Dick Collier, the English heavy
weight, fighting Jake Kilrain, and defeat
ing Joe Lannon. Godfrey, on the other
hand, had been badly worsted by Peter
jackson, who is now to meet Sullivan.
These facts afford an idea of the fighting
qualities of the negro in the "a foot ring.
Bob Travers remember we'll. He was
very clever, and used TO fight at ten stone
two pounds, or about IA pounds Mervine
Thompson is a mulatto, who has had a good
many encounters, and who was beaten only
q few days ago by bigger and more power
full negro. These were all game men.
JACKsoE's STAYING QUALITIES
As to jackson, who is to be Sullivan's op-
ponent in the roped arena, don't think
anybody has ever questioned his gameness.
He has shown 1t on. several notable occa-
sions. In Melbourne he was beaten by Jack
Farnam, white pugilist, after having the
fight all his own way for six. rounds; but
unless one knows what caused him to go to
pieces after the sixth round, it would not be
quite justifable to say that he was not
good staying fighter. Hs is undoubtedly a
clever man and has a phenomenal reach.
The chances are that he will give Sullivan
as good light as any man who has ever
stood mp before him. jackson showed his
staying qualities as we'll as his cIeYerness
when he fought Jem Smith, the English
champion, in London. In that match his
superior reach told effectively after the first
round for jackson took commanding lead
in the second and kept it all the way
through, until Smith threw him, giving him
the match on a foul, which he would have
won any way.
1 regard superiority in height and reach
as of the greatest advantage to a pugilist.
Other things-Weight, skill, endurance and
copdition-being equal, the difference in
height and the consequent advantage in
reach will tell heavily in favor of the taller |
man. This, however. is the only point |
where big man has the advantage over a |
shorter one, He reaches farther, aud IL he |
be equally clever and scientific it is obvious
that the greater reach viii make all the diff |
ference between the two.
Weight is not Of 90 much importance as |
some imagine in q fight Take any good
sized man Of 156 or 15S pounds, and he is fit |