Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-03

all know, was one of the greatest frauds ~
. fighter that this or any other generation
has seen. ] don't intend to say anything
more about him, as he is too we'll known.
The other man defeated in the ring by
Sullivan was Kilrain, and nearly an
entire afternoon was occupied in doing it.
Kilrain 10 not BY any means rated as very
good second class fighter, and could do moth
ing better than fight draw with man like
Jem Smith, whom lots Of English authori-
ties think inferior to frst-clsss middle
weight. Indeed. IL took Kilrain aboutthres
hours to deseat Godfrey.
More About Sullivan.
But If John L. reaped any glory FROM his
defeats of Ryan and Kilrain he must have
lost 1t all by making draw with man
like Mitchell, who fought draw with Jack
Burke. Now, ask in all fairness, shall
Sullivan's effort against Charley Mitchell
In their prize-ring fight place the
show me that it does 1 will be glad to ac-
knowledge Sullivan as the best ring fighter
we have ever had. Would Ned O'Baldwin
or even Joe Wormold have made draw
with Mitchell? Not at all. And either Of
the two frst-named would have defeated
Sullivan had they been in MitchelPs place;
and let nobody get off that old plea that
Mitchell didn't fight. They fought under
rules, and those rules were not violated;
which means that the contestants were with
in hitting distance in every round. Sulli-
van for brief period may have been the
best prize-ring fighter We had, but that does
not mean his achievements were first-class
when compared with the achievements Of
other people, and it is only by that
comparison that we can form an esti-
mate of first class We all have
attended bench shows for instance where
prizes have been withheld because the COM
peting dogs were not class enough. One
dog would no doubt be the best of a bad lot,
but even he would not be of quality enough
to be worthy of the honors of first prize.
Just so with Sullivan. His prize fights
cannot rank as first class when compared
with the standard already set up. am
fully aware that these opinions will CRATE
harshly on many who have idolized the
'bIg fellow" for years, but irrespective Of
sentiment I am dealing with cold facts and
must arrive at the conclusion to which they
lead me. We cannot deal with what Sulli-
van might have done if opportunity had
afforded. We must confne ourselves to
what he actually did, and when this lImita.
tion is enforced don't think that any fair
minded man who knows anything about
pugilism will come to any other opinion
than the one have just expressed regard
ing Sullivan. do not wish to detract
from his fame in the least, but do claim
that it would not be right to credit him
with being something he has not proven
himself to be although he has had the
chance to do so.
slavln's Prospects.
Now that Sullivan has definitely refused
to fight Frank P. Slavin, the latter will
have to tackle somebody else to earn money
and honor, principally the former. Sulli-
vans refusal to face Slavin will do the latter
good in his business; that is,
his show business. We must not forget the
fact that Slavin has simply come to Amer
vertise him will be to his advantage. Out.
side Of his "sbow" business he must now
look toward the winner of the jackson and
Corbett battle, which probably will be Jack
sou, and if these two men fight it will in
deed be good business for Slavin If he wins,
because I expect that at least O purse of
El3, 900 or $14, 900 will be offered for Slavin
and the winner Of the battle referred to.
But In the meantime IL has been arranged
that Slavin undertake to knock Kilrain out
In ten rounds. This will be a very interest
ing arrangement, because if Slavin cannot
10 task of that kind will conclude that
be 10 Q very much overrated man. I feel |
,ertain that Kilrain could not have stood |
;en three-minute rounds before Sullivan
when the latter was in form, and
ory that Corbett had Kilrafh almost
ettled in six rounds. Besides Slavin is some
rhat similar to Sullivan in his method of |
love fighting. He soon breaks down an |
opponents guard, and is ready at any mo.
nent to run the chance of give and take. |
But there is one thing about Slavin that ! !
dmire; that is his earnestness. He IL no |
'low-hard; indeed, as a rule he has little to |
ay, and what he does say he means He |
las come here to fight anybody, and he |
means it. am inclined to think that he
s good man, and also feel certain that |
le will be fairly dealt with here,
Pugilists in General
It was my intention to deal fully with the |
and Hall arrangement to-day, |
ut space will not permit In truth, am
cry suspicious of that affair. noticed the |
ther day that Fitz and Hall were both in
be same "show" combination, and that |
9th men were underlined to box against
BILLY Wood. This is hardly how men pro-
eed who are matched in bona fde way to
ght for q purse of $4,000. Of course.
be affair NAV be all right, but one
annot help thinking there is something
cry peculiar about it. Of one thing I'm
ertain, and that is the public's money is
he great object of the willy managers and
heir show artists. Half of $4,000 is a
arge amount of money for men who have
D work" their passage across the sea.
Affairs in the Jackson Corbett contest are
citing along very we'll according to re-
orts. The latest is that jackson is hard at
h sntn %h4 l. 4
axe place before the '21st he will have
lenty of time to get ready. Between now
nd then I will have something definite to
ay regarding the fight, but SO far am still
Inclined to think that the colored man will
e the winner.
There does not seem any chance of George
)ixon being matched very soon. He has
D thoroughly established his reputation as
frst-class little man that a very good man
ill be needed to induce any club to put up
good purse for them.
stansbury's Victory.
The victory Of Stansbury over Mclean
sets at rest the controversy re-
arding the title of champion. The former
as won the title and am somewhat per-
uaded that he will hold it for some time as
lr as Australians are concerned. O'Connor
as challenged him and 1t is pleasing to
now that Stansbury has agreed to come to
america and row o. Connor here for the title.
he Australian couldn't we'll refuse accept
,g O'Connor's challenge and should Stans-
ury get here and win the race he will prob
bly, win more money than be ever dreamt |
|. How matters will 20 with the Australian
n an American course / cannot tell, but
he will row well on any course.
ut is O'Connor the best sculler we have in |
auada or America7 That il an oman opa. | ,