The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-06-25
FOR PURSE OF Ten THOU SAND
SIavin Read Iy Accepts the Gauntlet-The
Fight is to Come OF After SulIi-
vans Retarn from Aus
tralia.

autnorlZed James Wakely of this city
and Charles johnson of Brooklyn, two
of his former hackers to match him
against Frank Slavin, the Australian
The conditions he names call for ter
rounds Queensberry rules, $4,000 a
side, the winner to take all and the
match to be contested before the
athletic club which offers the larges t
purse.
These stipulations were included in
a telegram which he sent from San
Jose, CAL, to Joseph Wakeley last night.
Slavin will probably accept. He prom
ises to return from England in three
months and the champion by that
time will have concluded his Austria
liam engagement and will be ready to
go into training. Of the men who saw
the contest between Slavin and Kill
rain on Tuesday night none watched
it with greater interest than
did James Wakeley and Charles
Johnson, who furnished good part
of Sullivan's $4,000 stakes in his fig hit
with Kilrain at Richburg. They are
both good judges of the sport, and are
convinced that had Sullivan been in
the Baltimorean's place there would
have been three heart broken passen-
gers on one of the big ocean steamers
which will sail for Europe on Satur-
day-Paddy Slavin, Charley Mitchell
ana George Washington Moore.
Wakely and Johnson are ready to
match the phenomenal American
against Kilrains latest conqueror for
$4,000 a side. If this proposition
meets with favor in the eyes of Slavin
the match which will be the most i'm
portant pugilistie event in the history
of the ring can be made at once.
Slavin will sail for England tomor-
row. Sullivan will leave San Fran
cisco for Australia ON June %. Both
can depart from this country matched
to battle for the worlds cham. rionship
and the largest amount of money ever
fought for in this or any other country
Wakeley and Johnson will meet the
big Australian at any hour he may
name today or tomorrow to post for
felt and sign preliminary articles.
when tell you that l am author
lied 10 make match for Sullivan, :"
said Wakeley last night, II am not
talking for the fun of it. The last
words John said to ME as we shook
hands at the Oakland Ferry in San
Francisco, few weeks ago, were
these:
Jim, l have made up my mind to
fight once more if SlavIn whips Kill
rain, and is not defeated by jackson
or Corbett before | return from Aus.
tralia. l want you and johnson to
back me against him. Will you do
that?"
"Blucher, would I? Chats my pet
pane for Sullivan). You are the great
est fighter the world ever saw. Aside
from that you are my friend and John,
sons friend; We will back you against
any man living for any amount of
money: All that you will have to do is
to say the word"
"That's all want to hear, JIM" the
big-hearted fellow said. giving me his
hand. II intend to take good care of
myself, and if Slavin will meet me on
my return, I'll give you and johnson
u run IOr your money"
Nov, then" continued Wakeley,
"the only conditions which shall in
sist upon if Slavin desires to make the
match, are that the Queensbury rules
shall govern, and that the contest
shall take place before the athletic
club Offering the largest purse"
sLAvIN ACCEPTS.
The following telegram from Sulli-
van was shown to Slavin this morn
ing:
SAN JOSE, June 1S.-To James
Wakelev, New York: Make a match
for me to meet Slavin for ten rounds.
winner to take all gate receipts and an
outside bet of $4,000.
(Signed) JOHN L. SULLIVAN
When Slavin read it he said:
"All right, I'll fight him. When
does he want to fight?''
ION his return from Australia" he
was informed.
Well Pm ready to make match"
replied Slavin.
"Will you put up a forfeit today2"
he was asked.
Yes I'm ready to post forfeit OF
$500 or $1,000, at once"
Pony Moore and Mitchell were in
Slavin's company at the time, and the |
former pulled for a big wad of bank
notes and wanted to put up the money
On S!avin. Mitchell, however, took |
The proposition more coolly and de-
,lared in a contemptuous tone that |
Sullivan was only a buffer and wanted |
% make match in order to adve rtise
himself on his Australian starring
our, for which he starts from San |
francisco next Thursday.
Frank" he added,s turning to
Savin, I'm usually with you, but if
you make this match Pm not"
The Australian champion seemed to
)e impressed by Mitchells words, for
ne finally said that although he had
his passage for England on
he would remain here and
make the match. agreeing to any
erms that might be named. if Sullivan
would forego his trip to Australia.
That is the way matters stood early
his morning. Sullivan is under con.
ract to go to Australia, and cannot
freak his engagement. He will return