The morning call., 1891-05-08
FISTIC SPORT.
Why Australian Fighters Are i'm
Demand.
American Pugilists Are Too Indolsnt to Train.
Even Betting on the Jackson and
Corbett Mill.

Some one who signs himself Erred
Ferguson" has written long letter TO al
Oakland paper rejecting on the manner in
which the California Athletic Club conduct Is
its pugilistie affairs. The letter would
lead the reader to believe that only
Australians are given an opportunity of dis
tnguishiDg themselves in this country by
courtesy of the California Club, and that
American pugiliSts were accorded no favor.
This is unmitgated trash. AS general
thing American pugilsts are very unreliable
and many of them have by their careless
system of training greatly annoyed athletic
club directors, compelling them to postpone
several matches. The Australian pugilists,
generally speaking. have been successful in
this country because they gave strict at
tention to business matters and when the
time arrived for fstic action appeared in
prime condition and had DO excuse to offer
for postpOnement.
On the other hand the American pugilist,
with few exceptions, trained for his
matches in a rather careless and slovenly
manner resulting in defeat when his
friends had gambed and lost on his chances
of victory The athletic clubs Of this city
are always anxious 10 engage Australian
pugilists on account OF the good record they
have established as conscientious aud care
full men while in training for any particular
event.
JACKSON AND GoRBETT.
1t is thought that in the coming contest
between jackson and Corbett the for-
mer will be made a strong layorite by the
large circle of friends, who are sanguine Of
his victory. 1t is decidedly hard matter 10
even conjecture who the winner will be, as
both pugilists are unqnesttonably clever and
thorough masters of the manly art.
jackson has had the advantage OF expert
euce; but withal he came within an ace OF
meeting his Waterloo when he disputed
the vantage ground with Patsy Cardiff.
The latter proved, in this engagement, that
the col0red wonder can be subdued by
bodily punishment carefully administered;
aud John Donaldson, who Is now looking
alter COrbett's interests, has not forgotten
the few valuable points Cardiff gave him
after the battle.
1t will be remembered that Donaldson
acted as Csrdiff's principal second in this
match Jackson was bested in Australia
when figuring as middle weight pugiliSt, but
since be climbed step higher IN the weight
class he has never encountered man, with
the exception of Cardiff, who has fought
him to a standstill. 1t now remains to be
seen whether Corbett can use his speedy
right to as good advantage as the clever but
eowardly heavyweight champion of the
Northwest.
ANOTHER MATCH THOUGHT OF.
The Directors of the Occidental Athletic
Club are seriously thinking of matching
Billy Akers against Bowen, the light
weight pugilist, who is now in training to
meet Billy Myers. Good judges of pugilism
predict an easy victory for Myers; but win
or lose, the Occidental Club proposes TO
offer good inducement to Bowen to fight
Akers in this city.
A match of this kind would attract con-
siderable attention, as both fighters are
clever and Of the same stature Latest re-
ports from Turner's training quarters are
to the effect that the Stoektonian is rapidly
getting into form, and that his supporters
will back him literally against Greggains,
who is working off adipose tissue at San
Jose.
SMITHS CONTEMPLATION.
Billy Smith is seriously thinking of re-
turning to his old trade until such time as
an opportunity offers for match with some
of the fighters of his class. When at Min
neapolis, Smith offered to fight Pat Kiilen
to finish, but the latter refused, stating
that he had no desire to hold any cOntrA-
versy with second-clasS Australian sloggers.
Killlen, who. by the way, is thorough blow
hard, showed very good Judgmentin refusing
Smiths challenge, as he would certainly
have fallen victim TO severe thrashiDg
had he encountered the clever middle
weight
Charley Nit hell saw the bout between
Cal Mccarthy and George Dixon, and after
the snow said: 'Dixon made monkey Of
Nunc Wallace, but Wallace can make show
of Mccarthy. lie has lot to learn that
he never will know" He was not impressed
with the showing Mike Gushing made with
Alex Gallagher, and remarked; "If Cush-
ing can make anything of show with
Austin Gibbons, | fear Gibbons will have
poor show in England. We haven't got
many good big men over there, but we've e
lot of good light-weights.