The morning call., 1891-02-19
MIDDLE w FIGHTS.
Mitchell and La Blanche Are
Eager for the Fray.
Both Men Have Got to Weight and Are in
Splendid Fettle-Preparing for the
Cricket Season.

Although the Mitchell and La Blanche
fight will be decided tomorrow evening at
the California Club, the affair is attracting
but little attention. Notwithstanding the
men are elasSed as the leading middle
weights of the country.
Betting has been very slim, and it is safe
to say that it will not take very large sized
wallet to accommodate the money that will
be placed on either man. The wagerS that
have been made favored La Blanche, but
within the past few days MitchelPs stock
has advanced, and the young Californian is
now selling on even terms with his OPP po-
nent.
The defeat ''the Marine" suffered when he
succumbed to the blows of George Kessler,
the Montana Hurricane" lowered him very
much in the estimation of the public, as II
has been stated, and on fairly good author
ity, that La Blanche accepted a considera-
ton to go out. Strange rumors have also
been floating about concerning his match
with Dempsey, one of which is to the effect
that he LA Blanche) gave several wrong
tips 10 his friends, who lost money on the
result of the fight.
DID NOT MAKE GOOD.
The Marine did not, however, make good
any part of their losses, but in case they
won he was to have come in for a share Of
their gains. In other words, La Blanche
made sure shot of the game whichever
way it run, but he surprised himself by de-
feating the then champion middle-weight Of
America.
Sporting men are as a consequences a bit
shy of him, notwithstanding the fact that
they acknowledge him TO be one of the best
fighters in the world OF his class. There is
one thing certain, and that is in the event of
az halV ha faF RIM
might Just as well make up his mind that
the athletic clubs of this country will have
no further use for him. He will have to
take a back seat and fall in with the great
army of defeated fighters who are now seour-
ing the country in quest of small purses.
Should Mitchell happen to meet with de-
feat. he v i'll still have the support Of Cali
furnIans, who can always rely on his bat
ting for the big end of purse. Mitchell
has not, as yet met with defeat from any
fighter in his class, and the contest which
he is now about 10 engage in Will give the
spectators a good cleW as to his value as an
aspirant for championship honOrS. Both
men are physically in splenddiconditOn and
should make great effort for the stuff at
stake La Blanche weighed 1881 pounds
yesterday, and Mitchell's friends state that
he Is feeling as strong as the park buffalo at
$50 pounds.
JIM CORBETT.
Speaking of the California heavy weight,
an Eastern sporting writer says:
Jim Corbett thinks that he caught a touch oil
malaria during his recent visit 10 the South, and
| il has been aggravated by stomacbc troubles
| which sent him TO bed several days ago in Chi
| cagO- He leIVes for Mount Clemens Springs in
| Michigan on Sunday afternoon, and he will
spend a couple OF weeks there.
-. Z, - -, - -: ot,a oiie "eeh ~ ohSaso'
ana then lie VIII journey westward 10 San Fran
cisco by easy stages He will train at Saus alto,
across the bay from San Francisco. and he viii
leave no stone unturned 10 get into The best pos-
slble condition for his fight with Peter Jack son.
had talk with him last night, during which he
said:
81 am nearly twelve pounds lighter now than
my normal weight, but that Is due 10 my Illness
Now that my stomach is getting into proper
shape again, / expect to pick up my lost flesh in
week at Mount Clemens. 1 appreciate fully
the magnitude of the task before me, but while
feel sure that shall win the fight, 1t Is Of
lie or death with Inc. and intend that IL shall
be fe have seen Jackson fight and know his
skiN, strength and game, but hope TO prove to
my friends that am more than a match for him
IN all OF these qualities. A good many have
Affected 10 doubt my courage. L don't think
there win be any room for further doubt after
this fight"
Corbett will be trained by John Donaldson,
who was the first man to meet John L. Sullivan
In the squared circle. He has been behind a
good many men In his time, Including Patsy
Cardiff, aud he says that Corbett is not only the
cleverest big man he ever handed, but the
gamest as we'll.
CRICKET CLUB.
The California Cricket Club met last
evening at 1857 Powell street for the pur-
pose of electing delegates to the proposed
cricket league. A large number of men,
bers was present and considerable interest
was manifested in the game, which gives
| promise of being heartily supported next
summer by the lovers of England's national
| sport. MeSsrs. Robertson and Weatherly
| were elected delegates to the cricket league
! with full power to act.
! DR.. Little, the President of the club, de-
| cided that the grounds at KlInknervillt
| Will be opened on March 1st with a game
between two OF the leading clubs.
Thirty-sX new members were elected
| among whom are a number of crack bowl
ers, fielders and batsmen that represent both
| England and Australia.
MIR. Robertson was appointed commit
tee of one to look after the grounds, and tt
make all preparations necessary for the
| grand opening next month.
| CoURsING.
| The Occidental Coursing Club will hold
| its draw" for the annual spring meeting
| which will take place at Newark ON the sd
| inst. tomorrow evening. A large attend
| ance of members is expected.
| The Olympic Clubs gymnastic tourna
| ment VIII begin this evening at O'CLOCK
sharp. The athletes who will represen
the club took possession of the gymnasium
last evening and accomplished several pref
ty feats Of strength and skill.