Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-09-06
JOHN L. IS FAT.
There Is Not a Great Jelly-Bag Over his
Abdomen, But He Has Lost All semb-
lance OF a Waist-How the Champion Is
Looked UpOu.

Abdomen, BUT he has Lost All SemD-
lance OF a Waist-How the Champion Is
Looked Upon.
NEW ORLEANS, La, September 5.-The
statement is printed here this morning
thot Sullivan has no abnormal develop
ment Of fat about the abdomen. While
this statement is undoubtedly the express
sion of an honest opinion, it is an error or
opinion and misstatement of fact. There
is, to be sure, no longer jelly-hke losse-
ness of flesh about the abdominal region.
That has been worked, sweated and
rubbed down. But the clean, hound-like
outline of muscles is not apparent.
A broad abdominal belt is buckled about
the champion when he is at ease and IS re-
moved when he strips for his showers and
for his ruabings. When he sits upon
chair and lifts one knee to the other in the
act of pulling on sock there are visible
unquestionable folds of abdominal tissue
which have not succumbed to running or
exercise.
The fact is not surprising. These welts
of tissue are the accompaniment of added
and growing years. There is almost an
absence of waist. That region above the
hips and below the ribs fills in with age or
easy living. Sullivan is now thirty-four
years old, and he has lived easily during
recent years. Phil Casey, his trainer, has,
it is true, reduced TO the minimum possible
by training these 1eshy features; but to
say that the champion has no abdominal
fullness is not q wholly truthful statement,
and is likely to mislead those who choose
10 consider these features of mans condl-
tion when making up their estimates OF his
chances in battle 10 finish.
The champion himself atfirms that he
never felt better and is willing to wager
$4,000 that he will go into the ring weigh
ing not more than 2l0 pounds. PM Casey
his trainer says that Sullivan's weight as
he goes into the ring will be between 2O1
and 2l2 pounds Sulllvan's hackers affirm
that their man never was in better trim.
There are here old veterans who aver that
a man we'll trained may feel as good as he
ever did but who question whether
man NAV feel as good at 81 as he did
ut % and be relatively so
efficient when great strain is imposed.
Those who question this are in the minor
ity. however. They are the reasoners who
seek to reach the conclusions by Judgment
and not as the result of preference.
There is feeling shared by many here
that If Corbett meets Sullivan squarely
through twelve or fifteen rounds, or even
if he escapes the champion that length OF
time, the difference in ages and the pre-
sumed difference in condition which re-
SOtLS, VIII operate III OOIbCIb - AaNpA.
On the other hand, Sullivan's followers
largely feel that even If there is relative
difference against Sullivan in age and
training, he has, despite all, the power as
he has the purpose, to simply pemohsh the
tall western man before points or age or
training have time to cOmbinein his behalt.
A determination has not yet been reached
bv the Sullivan people as TO whether Phu
Casey will be behind Sullivan IL the ring
during his battle.
The atmosphere here to-day has been IN
tensely sultry, the southeast breeze serving
ONLY to set the close air in motion. The
wise men of the turf are discussing the
relative wisdom of Sull!van's time OF get
ting on the battle ground and that OF Cor
bett and his party. 1t is urged that Sulll-
van left a bracing atmosphere at. the
North to come by tedious journey to the
Southern latitude four days before his
contest The enervating influence OF the
charge, say some of the wise men, cannot
fail to have preiudicial effect
Corbett it is said will arrive here with
his system charged with the northern
ozone, practically STEPPING from his train
ing quarters into the ring.
ON the other hand it is held that warm
weather here is training for Sullivan, that
il agrees with him and that he likes IT.
This view has the support Of the sullivan
hackers and trainers. Cor0ett, it is further
held bv Sullivan adherents will arrive
here Just long enough before the fight TO
feel the enervation Of the southern climate
without having time to square his system
to tue change His day Of rest in the
mountains on the way. is, by the same
authorities, regarded OF little value.
After dinner and a snooze Sullivan was
driven again TO the gymnasium. where he
was a second time to-day put through his
PAGES. The evening was spent with Paul
Casey. Sullivan remaining up somewhat
later than usual to get some information of
the McAulife-Myer fight. 1t was deter
mined before leaving New York that Sulli-
van should attend none Of. the fights save
his own.
ICOntinued on Fourth Page.