The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-12
California Sports Think That the
Great John L. is Afraid to
Meet Jackson.
Jem Corbett is Sore Over the
Treatment He Received
From Sullivan.
Prospect of a Fight Between keddy "ai-
1agher and Jack Dempsey-SPort-
ing Notes.

lief that John l.. Sullivan and puglllstic
nrowess are one and the same thing, the
sporting public of California IS rapidly
coming to the conclusion that he has ar
rived at the sunset of his fistic career, and
that he actually fears a combat with feter
Jackson. When he refused to meet the
Australian for the purse of Sl5,ooo winch
the California Athletic club proposed to
offer as an incentive for the determination
of the question of supremacy between them'
it was thought that he had considerable
nerve to demand that the ante be raised
$1,000, but in order to bring them together
his terms were allowed. The fact
that he did not instantly respond
with his acceptance, as Jack
son did rather surprised all here, and when
Jack Barnett's talk, that the champion
would not accept unless there was also
side bet of $4,000 guaranteed, was pub,
lished, sporting men were amazed ana
asked each other: what kind of a bluff is
this Sullivan is giving us? If he thinks ne
can defeat jackson, why doesn't he accept
the terms he demanded like man, and look
for side bets afterward?'
Before this query was answered Jeln Cor-
bett arrived home from the east very sore
over his treatment by Sullivan. he went
away from home with three objects in view
to meet Kilrain, see the country, ana nave
a good time. He was great admlrer OF the
big fellow, and fighting him was the last OF
his thoughts. He defeated kilrain 80 easily |
that Sullivan became jealous of his fame,
for Sully brooks no rivals at his throne.
His jealousy took the form OF disparage,
ment of Corbett and insinuations that he had
merely defeated sick man. When Jem
arrived in New York he was challenged by
Barnett to meet the big fellow in four
round contest. He was angered by sull11
wants talk, and, besides, he was told that
the champion of champions was "o1f again;
that he was high in flesh, out OF condltlon,
and in no way fit to fight" Corbett' tor 9
plenty of men in New York who would be
tickled to death to see Sullivan whipped by
any one. and they told HIM. Now is your
chance Jen was not prepared to take
desperate one, but he was willing to RISK a
liynn's disparagement of his prowess in
kind, winding up with an offer to box him
four rounds The offer was not accepted,
and now Corbett is telling every one that
he is satisfied Sullivan knows he can never
train again for finish fight, and that he
will not meet jackson. It behooves John
l., to oct move on him and talk turkey
like a man, or the California belief may
spread. e..
ing posted about the doingss. of pqgilists
that no other clsD every practiced: For in
stance. it knows just exactly what Sullivan
Enlla oackob have been doing for weeks
' past. 1t has plenty of means at It's disposal
and it's sources of information are trust
worthy. 1t is also a very independent club,
and while its president, directors and men,
bers would like very much to sec Sullivan
and jackson contend for the championship
of the world within their ring. that desire
is not so strong that it will permit either of
these gladiators to monkey with the club
for a minute. The offer of the purse was
almost unanimous, but that unanimity was
solely because it was thought that each
mans acceptance would be flashed back by
wire within "a hours. Nothing will be done
rashly or hastily by the clubs directory,
but it would be we'll for Sully to remember
the old adage: delays are dangerous
sometimes fatal" and also to remember
that $50, 900 purses are not indigenous to
every soil.
Having said this much by way of warning
to Sullivan, will go further and say that
do not think he is afraid of jackson OF
that he need have any fear of meeting him
! also believe that he can get Ill good con
ditlon in six weeks. Corbett's talk that ne
nick made such a showing with the champ.
ion that it took the referee three days tt
decide the battle, is delusive. l have beer
the stanchest friend Mccartney has evel
had, but have time and again said that III
was never in it with Sullivan. He made ,
runaway fight at Chester Park. and ever
then he would have been knocked out in tn,
third round by Sullivan if he had not beer
saved from disaster by the call OF time be
fore the round was half over. After that h
ton to keep on fighting after the seventh
round was bluff, pure and simple. Hal
Dominick fought Sullivan the standby
fight that he gave Corbett. he would hav
been put to sleep III a round, ! yer
ily believe. The fact of the matter is, Nc
Caffrey is an unfortunate fighter. He is
velter weight, too big for the ordinar
middle weight and not good enough for tn
tip-toppers like Sullivan. jackson or Coz
bett. had long talk with him the nigh
Thought Corbett was too tall, heavy an
long in the reach for him. He answeret
"Well, have been SO abused by the paper
that am determined to have 60 with
GOOD man. and find out whether am Eighth
or not" l responded:
..Do find out. Don't do as you did wit
Dempsey, make your friends ashamed {
you"
"You may depend on it," he answered
II will give this fellow fight. l know h
is clever, but will cut out the pace for hil
as sure as you are living man." My il
formation is that he did do more leadin
than Corbett, but that his blows did nc
count, being too light while Corbett nearl
knocked him silly with his first puncl
The fact of the matter is that McCatfre
ibre of the Marine, Teddy Gallagher, {
Brooklyn Jimmy Carroll. If he will tack
bigger men. let them be second raters lii
Ashton, Joe Lennon or Pat killer
"a prophet is not without honor save
his own country" finds fresh exempliic
ton in the case of Jem Corbett. All he
admit his wonderful powers as SPARE
but there are few Californians who belle
that he would have the ghost of Il chan
with either Sullivan. jackson or Joe NJ
Auliffe. l think his townspeople unde
value him. With his skill, height, weigh
reach. activity and girth he ought to be
match for any man breathing, and if he
not the defect must be in his stomach
heart. have heard no one breathe a wo
against his courage, but many say that
is deficient in bottom. How true that m
be cannot at present determine but
must be remembered that the same thi
was said against Tom Hyer and John
Heenan, and yet each of these was cha
pion of his country and each beat the gre
est gluttons of their times.
In San Francisco saw Jimmy Carroll,
Brooklyn, defeat Billy Smith, the A
tralian, before the California Athle
club and Denny kelleher, of Hayerh
beat Charley Turner, the colored midd
weight wonder of Stockton. before
Golden Gate club. Both of these W
splendid battles. Carroll injured both
his hands in the contest, or he would h
finished Smith quicker. The Austral
was game, but no match for Jimmy.