Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-07
A REVIEW OF SPORTS.
Final Remarks About the
Sullivan-Kilrain Fight.
WHO WILL BE THE VICTOR?
Probable Tactics That the Two
Fighters Will Adopt.
LOCAL BASEBALL CLUB AFFAIRS.
The Prospects of the Team Better Than
They Have Been.
WHO WILL BE THE VICTOR?
LOCAL BASEBALL CLUB AFFAIRS.
PLAYING BALL GAMES FOR STAKES

PLAYING BALL GAMES FOR STAKES
Doubtless an apology is necessary to base
ball enthusiasts for giving a sport like pug
ilism the greatest prominence at the zenith
Of the baseball season. To do this may be
surprising to many and may be taken as a
terrible omen, but. notwithstanding all this,
the Sullivan -Kilrain fight must take pre-
cedence on this occasion. 1t is the one ab-
sorbing topic in the sporting world of Amer
ica, and is a popular theme among all
classes of citizens. 1, therefore, hope that
this innovation of mine will be parloned by
the good cranks who uphold the greatest of
all outdoor sports-baseball. Now about
the ''g5eatest fight ever known in history"
Of course this is very sweeping and inter
esting qualification. and it is amusing to so
quality it before even the ring
is pitched. However, the great question
that is now taxing the public mind is: Will
there be a fight? confess that matters look
very uncertain and there is nobody to blame
for this uncertainty but the parties themselves.
The friends of the principals have been giving
. notoriety to the affair during the last few
days that beats anything on record ia puSll-
istic way In travelling South partisans,
friends, hackers and even the principals them
selves have publicly declared themselves at
every stopping place. In turn each has said
that he means to pulverize the other in very
short order, and the announcement has been
wired throughout the length and breadth of
the land. Immense crowds are already in New
Orleans making extensive preparations for
excursion trains, and telegraph companies are
making extraordinary efforts to extend their
wires TO the ring. In view of all this can it
be wondered at that the civil authorities
should step TO the front? How dare Governors
under such circumstances stand passively by
with folded arms? 1t is not too much to say
That there is reason to suspect that civil or
military interference is courted by parties in
terested. If this is not so, then the manage
ment of the proposed battle is about the worst
that we can lay hands on. However, we can
rest assured that if the Governors of the
Southern States mean half of what they say
there will be no fight at the localities already
agreed upon, and if such be the case we can
make up our minds to hear and read all kinds
of stories as to how this party and that party
has schemed to have the battle stopped.
About the Result.
However we must. for the nonce, take it for
granted that the fight will take place. We
must presume this so as to make a final state
ment about the respective chances of the con-
testants. Last week l finished by saying there
would probably be some reliable information
as TO the condition of Sullivan. During the
last two or three days have heard from two
sources to the condition the big puglllst is
in. One source is through prominent citizen
here who had a confidential letter from Null
1oNN 2 St,lIf so s,,4 4ta
very best condition. and fit to fight for a mans
life. My other informant is a friend of my
own who is on very intimate terms with Sulli-
van. Ny friend states that Sullivan is lust as
At as a fiddle" Well, now, testimony of this
kind is too strong to refute, and 1 therefore
must understand that Sullivan is really in the
condition above stated. However, will still
use the word "if, }" and I'll say If Sullivan is IN
the shape stated he will likely defeat Kilrain.
don't look upon Sullivan's victory as a GER
tainty: not by any means. 1 merely say that
would sooner back Sullivan than Kilrain, but
would certainly hot bet 2 to | on Sullivan. l
am aware that there is such a craze in favor of
Sullivan that it needs any amount of pluck to
say a word in behalf of Kilrain. If the majority
Is right in this instance Kilrain will assuredly
be battered into a helpless mass before 20
minutes are over. However, wild assertions are
easily and cheapy made. We all remember
how Jem Smith was going TO kill Kilrain and
how Sullivan was going to knock Mitchell into
"
suits. There is a common sense way of looking
at Kilrain's side of the matter. He is being
backed and handled by some of the shrewdest
men connected with the prize ring. If he were
the mark that we are told he is surely these
people wouldn't risk $1,000 on HIM. His party
knows Sullivan's measure TO a great extent
and they ought to know that Of their own man.
Now believe in giving credit to these people
for having an idea Of what they are doing
True, kilrain has done nothing terrific in
prize ring, nor has Sullivan. The
1atter's victory over Ryan IS hardly worth
recalling. 1t took RYAN, when full of yipOr
and activity, nearly day to defeat broken
down old man, and since then Paddy has been
an easy mark for fighters of all classes. AS far
prize-ring records concerned Kilrain's
1S just as good as Sullivan's. The latter has
earned his glory and popularity by glove con-
tests on platforms and stages, which is entirely
differeEt to fighting the turf in a 4foot
ring. However, have a reason for thinking
that Suilivan's chances of victory are better
than those of Kilrain. Sullivan is liable at anv
time TO land one of his swinging blows and if
hand, Kilrain cannot hit with the disastrous
Is in the best of condition am per
suaded that he will be prepared 20
take one if there is a chance for his powerful
return OF course, we may expect Kirain to
repeat Mitchells tactics to q very great extent,
and If he can do this as well as Mitchell did
Sullivan will be a beaten man. But it is hard
20 understand how Sullivan did NOT learn some
thing in his Mitchell fight. If he is not wiser
and better ring tacticlan now than he was
then, he had better wash his hands of rinc
fighting. believe he will display more know
edge on Monday, if the fight takes place. 1t is
these two points then that lead me to favor
Bullivan's chances more than those of Kirain
viz: His powerful rushing and hitting COM
Dined with better knowledge of the ring than
when he met Mitchell Certainly deem it a
great loss to Sullivan that man like Arthur
Chambers is not to be his guide in the ring
Chambers has had practical experience, and IS
well versed in all the tricks of the ring. He
would be equal TO Mitchell. As it looks it
would seem that Kirain will have the best
seconds, aud that is important
An Unfair Feature.
There is q festure which wish to point out
winch is decidedly unfair to Kilrain. 1t seems
90 be the opTnIon cf many that if he wins there
will be little credit in his victory, because 1t is
agreed he cannot possibly win if Sullivan is in
good condition. Now this is far from generous
It is the duty of all of us to give credit where
redit is due, and we are told at present both by
sullivan and his trainer that the former was
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