Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-14

fully well among the amateurs, but he will
find quite difference when he faces a pro-
fessional champion. As rule I do not be-
lieve in any such big jumps 1t is hardly
fair to the amateurs to take him from
his class and put him directly in
front of the best professional in the
world. The judgment is bad because the
amateur may be thoroughly good man and
get defeated entirely because of lack of
experience. Had Peter Maher been thor
oughly tested in finish fights with second
mons, it is likely that Maher would have
beaten the Australian. But he was be-
wildered and his defeat discouraged him SO
much that he became worse than ever he
was
True, Skelly may be wonder, but the
chances are against it. In the past when
amateurs have faced first class professionals
they have invariably come off second best.
But if Dixon wins there is likely to be
still plenty of work for him. There is a
strong desire to back Griffin against the
colored champion, and really believe that
Griffin is the most likely of all the little
what he is talking about tells me that
Griffin is an extremely good man and may
prove himself better than Dixon.
At any rate don't think there will be
much talk about matching Pearce against
Dixon now since Pearce was unable to de-
feat Siddons The battle between the latter
was a good one, and it exploded some big
notions about the abilities Of Pearce. He
is game little fellow and somewhat clever,
but he lacks force. He could not knock
Siddons out, although he had nothing to do
but thump Siddons The truth is Pearce
was just about beaten when the contest was
declared draw.
Reports About Corbett and Sullivan.
What we hear daily about the doings and
condition of C0rbett and Sullivan is extreme
ly interesting; but venture to say that what
we do not hear or read would be much more
derful stories are being circulated by the
press agents of these two pugilists and if we
can place any reliance at all on these re-
ports we can safely conclude that there
never, in the history of pugilism. were two
men in better condition than Corbett and
Sullivan.
Now, don't believe these reports, any
more than would believe the report of
one of them growing six inches taller in
one night Here is a sample report. A
d ay or two ago we were told that Sullivan,
after performing very great amount of
work, went out and ran ten miles in 55
minutes. That is within three minutes of
the American record time; the time made
some years ago by our friend Steele. Sulli-
van, under special preparation and on an
excellent track, might be able to come near,
Steele's time, but it is simply preposterous
to try to persuade people that he could
come near record time at Long Branch and
in comparatively poor condition to run.
Nobody who knows anything about foot
running will for moment believe the ''55
minute" story about John L.
mention this as sample of the e1ag-
gerated reports circulated about both Cor
bett and Sullivan. Doubtless they are
both working hard and successfully, but
there is room for much Improvement in
both.
During the week it has been noteworthy
the large amount of money there has been
forthcoming to back Corbett. Only short
time ago never for moment thought that
Sullivan s followers would hesitate to bet 2to
1 on their man, but even now they are not
very willing to bet to on John. This is
something that nobody expected. But it Is
very likely that before the battle takes
place there will be greater odds on Sulli-
van than 3 to 4. AS soon as his friends, and
they are numerous, get warmed up they
will raise the odds. PRINGLE