The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-08
The MANTLE OF JOHN [.
On Whose Brawny Shoulders Will
the Precious Heritage Fall,
and When2
Sullivan Beyond His Prime and
Failing Into the Sore and
Yellow.
jackson and Corbett Are Both Getting in
Trim-Kilrain and Slavln Will
Soon Meet.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 7.-Although proba.
blv one of the greatest and most successful
pugilists that ever stepped into a ring, Johi
L. Sullivan has undoubtedly seen his palm
lest days, and now that he is we'll along IL
years it is only reasonable to suppose tina
he will ring down the curtain over his fistit
career and resign the title of champion tt
the man whom he thinks best entitled te
uphold that distinction.
Sullivan has now arrived at an age which
demands in a measure his retirement from
pueilism. He cannot hold the champion
ship forever, and tho fact of his having
been engaged for two years to star the
country as a tistic attraction will not excuse
him by any means for having refused to
meet Slavin or any other trst-class fighter
in a contest to a finish, either under Lon
don prize-ring rules or Queensberry rules.
Sullivan should be satisfied to retire with
the title of ex-champion of the heavy
weight class. No one will dispute his claim
to this title; but the question of who is
entitled to the championship is a matter of
speculation just now. The three aspirants
now are Slavin, jackson and Corbett. The
last two named fighters will soon decide
their claim to superiority, and it is pre-
sumed that the winner will take On" Sla-
win, who is ready and willing to attach his
signature to articles of agreement.
Should the winner, by some peculiar sub
terfuge, avoid a meeting with the conqueror
af ''our boy Joe,' then Sullivan would be
acting wisely if he would transfer his title
to Patrick Francis Slavin, who has placed
his middle name in front since he became
acquainted with Charley Mitchell and Sir
Poney Moore. 1t is learned from good au-
thority that Sullivan will slip his Salt Lake
theatrical engagement for the purpose of
coming to this city in time to witness the
Corbett and jackson contest.
While in Minneapolis recently Sullivan
made a speech to his friends as follows:
81 am not a great actor, and not q very
God actor. l don claim to be. Some of
the papers say that | an trying to take the
place Of Booth and Mccullough and Law
renee Barrett God bless 'em ALL and those
who have gone before. That isn't SO. l
never expect to be a great actor like them,
but neither was Mccullough nor Barrett a
John L.. Sullivan. They call me a prize
fighter. Well, l was one, but / fought to
support the greatness of America as an
American citizen, II l was never whipped.
I shall never enter the prize-ring again. l
nave loIG IL lOTeVoE, anu 1 an Trying IdTu 10
educate myself to something better. | have
no reason to fear a combat with any man
now fighting, but l am not getting any
younger. There is as good fish in the sea
as ever was caught, and some day a man
might come up to the top of thel ladder and
say to me: 'Jonn L., step down a rung,'
and l would have to do it,"
Jim Corbett, who is in training for Jack
son, is az fine as a fiddle, and his trainer,
Donaldson, has on many occasions been
put to his wits ends to keep Jim from
knocking the tar out of some athletic sailor.
who felt a pride in putting on the gloves
with the man who they say is unques-
tionablv the coming champion. Corbett is
undoubtedly in magnificent condition, and,
to use a homely expression, is las hard as
nails"
A ~well-known boxer, who some years ago
retired from the ring. had the pleasure of
seeing Corbett go through a bit of exercise
recently. The visitor has been always i'm
pressed with the idea that Corbett was a
jabber and could not deliver a heavy blow.
Sufficient to say that since he has visited
the pugilist's headquarters his mind has
changed very materially.
"Ihen you have seen Corbett box with a
pretty good man?" was asked. "What do
you think of him?''
Jim fairly astonished me. In fact, |
have never seen a man in as superb a con
ululOu. CofDeuU Id us quick as q HuSn, ana
those who nave an idea that he cannot
punch hard had better change their minds.
He has a very happy knack of avoiding
punishment i'll a clinch, which he will, no
doubt, demonstrate when he faces his COL
ored opponent. Well, if jackson can dc
our California boy, Slavin had better &c
easy about that championship affair"
According to Sam Fitzpatrick, who is
handling jackson, the latter is now doing
good work and making up fast for lost
time. Jackson is working like a beavel
to strengthen his lungs, so that his breath
ing will be free and easy. lie has no
much to reduce in the way of a%voirdupois
Visitors cannot draw jackson into an,
lengthy conversation, and to all question,
asked he gives but one answer: Il hopt
that the best man will win, and that botl
contestants will be in good fettle when the,
meet"
OF the many pugilists who aspire TO
honor q wealth, there is not one VIII
speaks less and thinks more than tn,
colored champion. Jackson is very con
servative, and the many reports that hav,
been writtel and circulated about him have
IN the man,. sprung from the imagination
OF reporters, who are fond of writing thei
own ideas. There is not the least doubt il
the minds of Jackson's friends but tina
Jim Corbett's next antagonist will toe tn
scratch on the nix ut of the 2lst inst. in a
nne form as he has ever been in his life.
SECOND MONEY.
H 1-n sy ,.r.,