Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-04-12
, EXCHANGE PLACE.

the title of worlds champion against Slavin, Mitchell, Jackson, Goddard or any aspirant who may have an ambi- tion, properly fortified by the neces- sary coin to back it up.
 Here it may be asked if I am not stul- tifying myself by declaring in one breath that never meant to challenge Sullivan and in the next stating that I always meant to strive for the worlds championship. No, would not chal- 1enge Sullivan, for the reasons stated above, and, further, because he had announced his retirement from the ring to Slavin at St. Louis. There were other men-foreigners-w I could fight for that title. I would not fight Sullivan unless he challenged me. am now glad that it has come to this issue. promptly accepted his challenge and covered his money when he classed me with that "bombastic sprinter,' Charles Mitchell, and that Australian wind- bag" Francis P. Slavin. He had no right to do that. never made any bluffs at him like the foreigners, nor at anybody else. Moreover, have al ways made good my promises and have invariably been in the ring at the speci- fled time. never indulged in ''sprint-
 
 from an engagement like Mitchell. Neither have ever been called down as Slavin was by Charley Johnston and si- lently stole away in the dead hour of the night. My record will prove all these things. Hence my indignation at the insulting wording of Sullivan's challenge.
 The question has often been put to me: "What has Sullivan got against you?" I answered it in part in the be- ginning of this article. The "big fel- J low'' brooks no rival pear his throne. Leading newspapers Hand competent I critics have done me the honor of say ing that I have for some time stood next to Sullivan as an American fighter, and would in the event of his retire ment become the champion of America, if not of the world. Sullivan did not | like that. He wished to be the "big I am' in or out of the ring, and it was only when he saw that his scepter was | likely to vanish from his grasp in the event of his retirement that he consent ed to reenter the ring.
 Another thing which riled Sullivan and embittered him against me was comments which some injudicious peo- pie have made regarding our personal bearing in the society of men and wom- | en. The comparison was not favorable to the "big fellow,' and expressions to l that effect in the newspapers deeply angered him. But ask how am I re- sponsible for that, and why should Sul- hvan cherish any enmity to me on that account?
 Now word upon a serious topic. l Your correspondent bluntly puts the question to me as to whether or not have been dissipating heavily of late. He shows me clipping from daily newspaper which reads: "Corbett is going the way of Heenan, Savers and Sullivan. Unlike Savers and Sullivan, he pays not the greater part of his tribute to Bacchus, but, like Heenan, is a constant devotee at the shrine of Ve- nus. Heenan, like Corbett, was un- fortunate enough to be a strilzingly handsome man, and was highly favored by the fair sex. He died of quick con- sumption in the prime of his manhood Corbett may profit by his example"
 This statement wish to nail right here as deliberate libel. The writer, I think, was innocent of any premedi- tated wrong, but was influenced by person not friendly to me into penning what he did. He should at least have investigated on his own account before printing such harmful story. Its real author prompted it's insertion, am re- 1iably informed, for the sole purpose of shaking the confidence of one of the best friends I have on earth and caus- ing me to lose his financial support. l am not, as my intimates well know, ad- dicted to the use of liquor. In fact, sell dom touch it. My worst dissipation in this line is taking daily a bottle of Bass at dinner and an occasional bottle outside of home. As to the other charge, it has no foundation in fact.
 I am loath to speak thus of my pri- vate life, but do so in order that my friends and the public in general may not be deceived by such wicked reports. Rumors of this nature are sure to op- crate to pugilist's disadvantage. They impair public confidence, and even cause ones warmest friends to doubt him.
 To all whom it may concern have simply this to say: I will train faith fully and vigorously for my contest with Sullivan. I shall begin work about June at some place yet to be selected, and my sparring partner, Jim Daly, will be my trainer. That will give me fourteen weeks time to prepare in, and will step into the ring of the Olympic club at New Orleans on September in the finest possible fettle.
 Should Sullivan defeat me will set up no baby plea of ''poor condition and the like, and am sure Sullivan will act likewise should the fortunes of war go against him.
 JAMES J. CoRBETT.