The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-17
D SLAvIN'S PEN.

Probably More Powerful Than His Dukes
A Letter.
LONDON, Nov. 16.-Frank p. Slavin. has
written a letter to the sporting world, Of
which the following is u copy: ! learn that
John L. Sullivan has again returned to
America and made statements that he il
wiling to arrange a match with me for $10,-
600 a side and the championship in June,
1892, Why doesn't the American champion
put it off until 1896? He might just as
we'll, for l do not believe Sullivan has any
idea of meeting me in the prize ring, and |
don't believe he ever had any intention of
doing 80.
/ have been nearly three years endeayor-
pugilistwhom theAmerican public believe to
be a marvel. but he avoids the issue with
lame promisee and excuses.
Sullivan's last statement that he would
arrange a match in June, to fight in the
fall of next year, is only another Of his ex-
to fight when he is not. In November,
1892, sullivan will probably have another
excuse, perhaps, that he has retired from
the ring. This excuse he a when |
challenged him in 1883, over two years ago.
The American public should be proud of
championship in 1882, doesn't fight again
until 1883. He fails to defeat Charley
Mitchell, who was not champion at the
time, but had the reverse end of the argu-
mont.
In 1889 he fights for the Police Gazette
him seventy rounds to defeat Jake Kil1ain
when the latter was sick. I beat Kilrain
easily inside of ten rounds, and just when I
expect to arrange a match with Sullivan,
after waiting nearly three years. he desires
to postpone the match for another year.
-, n n !, ~ ~ II =, a IL q h vi, MIA Nr a NV 1,r l
else fight if he refuses to do SO. but why do
the American press and sporting men of
America uphold such q faint-hearted cham
pion? ! Travelled all the way from Austria
liza to America to meet Sullivan at a game
he protested to be a kingpin at. was sat
the Police Gazette championship BELT and
the championship of the world.
l asked no advantage. and was satisfied If
he defeated me to shake him by the hand
and acknowledge him the better man. lie
states to my face that he has retired. but
he will arrange q match when he returns
from Australia.
Now he has returned. One day he says
he will fight; the next day he changes his
mind.
/ intend to make one more trip to Amer
lea, and on my arrival he will either be
compelled to arrange q match or make HIM
self look ridiculous in the eyes of the sport
ing public. y.
I want no favors but fnir play, and. will
arrange a match for $4,000 a side, the Po-
lice Gazette belt, and agree to fight in the
California Athletic club or the Pacific club
for the largest purse offered.
Every true American sportsman will al
low that my terms are fair.
If Sullivan won fight I will meet any
pugilist who disputes my claim to tho Po-
lice Gazette championship belt, which l
hold and intend to defend against all com
ers who will put up $1,000. l have been
asked to go to San Francisco to meet Cor
bett in the California Athletic club. OF
course, it would only be a week or two
training and a few hard punches, for I
should, no doubt, win. but there is no glory
to be gained fighting Corbett, and II do not
intend to allow him to make the the losers
portion of a purse after all his a%asconade.
Sullivan is a great pugilist, and he is the
only barrier that stand between me and
the championship of the world. I would
sooner allow him the credit of defeating
me-of course. / do not admit that he can
do SO, but right the contrary-but I would
sooner take chances of defeat by Sullivan
than bother with the ~pillow-pusher, Cor
bett. FRANK P. SIAyIN.