Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-08-28
skELLEY,s AMATEUR BATTLES.
Record OF the Brooklyn Boy Who is to
Meet Dixon


The case of Jack Sicily, matched to
meet George Dixon at New Orleans on
September 6, is unparalleled In the his
tory of the ring. To jump from the
amateur ranks and fight for the profess
sional featherweight championship OF
the world and Sl7,50 in cash would
seem almost incredible. Yet this Is
what Sicily accomplished, and the
credit of surrounding the seeming i'm
possibility belongs TO one man, Billy
Reynolds, of Brooklyn, who had faith
in the amateurs proves and was not
afraid to risk q small fortune to test it.
money talks" is the truest of axioms. In
the ordinary course OF events, pugil-
ist of George DIxon's standing would
tell presuming amateur, or even pro-
fessional: go get q reputation before
you talk OF fighing." But Reynolds
shook hiE $4,000 roll at Dixon 80 per-
sistently that public attention was at
tracted, and In manner the coiored
phenomenal fighter was forced into the
match.
"All the world loves lover" and
Sicily will carry the good wishes and
hopes of thousands who read his ro-
mantle story. A prize fighter battling
for the money wherewith TO marry
his waiting sweetheart! VIII it re-
Quire great deal of imagination to re-
call the knlghtly days of old when
warriors bold strove for their ladyes
faire?
Skelly's personality gained him many
friends. Quiet, unaSsuming, withal
confident, he recalls bonny Jack Demp-
sey In his palmy days more than any
pugilist OF this latter-day era. The
color question will also proposes many
in his favor, and Jacks victory will be
hailed with gladness by large major
ity Of this great country.
Sicily made his debut as fighter on
January II, 1888, defeating Bibby
Jones in five rounds at Long Island
City. He next met Tom Hickey, who
lasted two rounds in front Of the COM
ing amateur champion. At the Brighton
Athletic Club tournament, February 6,
1889, Jack won his c.ass handily, beat
ing two old-timers, Frank Neager and
Dave CheneVick. The following vic
tory was at the championship meeting
OF the National Association Of Amateur
Athletes. where hs won the feather
weight championship from four others.
A match was then made between Sicily
and Frank Yeager, and took place at
the Park Athletic Club tournament.
Although Neager was ten pounds
heavier than Shelly, he cried, Hold,
enough" after being drubbed for one
minute thirty-nlne secones.
Signing for more worlds to conquer,
Jack journeyed to Newburg on
April 81, 1890, aud experienced
little difficulty in defeating all
aspirants for the 11S-pound champion
ship of the country. John McTiernan
looming up about that time as the com
ing 125-pound man. Sicily bestirred
himself and got on ten round match,
which was decided at the National
Athletic Club. McTiernan was little
more than a chopplng block for the
Brooklyn boy. Cutting loose In the
tenth round Sicily knocked McTlernan
down three times, the interference OF
the referee stopping a knockout. In
the Brighton Athletic Club tournament
held February IA, 1891, Skelly entered
the 12O-pound competition. He de-
feated II. McAlIister aud II. Keller
man in the preliminary bouts, and
Jack Roach forfeited TO him in the