Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-10

good reason for this. Mitchell's hands are
badly injured and wouldn't stand much.
Were he to meet Pritchard he couldn't
make defensive battle Of it, because he is
as big, if not bigger, than Pritchard If his
hands fsiled him, he would just have to
stand and be battered down or leave the
ring. 1t would be different were he to meet
Sullivan, because of thejT difference in size.
Mitchell would then take every advantage
of the rules, and if he could make draw it
would be victory for him. But even if he
fought back at Sullivan and his hands failed
his defeat would not by any means be as
serious as his defeat by man like Ted
Pritchard.
Were the two Englishmen to fight this
year 1 believe that I would prefer the
chances of Pritchard, because he is much
better fighter than many people think he is.
Nobody knows that better than Mitchell.
But the latter has just as much right to de-
cline to fight him as Corbett Sullivan and
others have to refuse to fight many men who
want to fight them. At best, pugilism has
become merely business, so much SO that
almost every pugilist we meet or hear tell
of is champion of some class or some place.
This is to boom their show business, of
course. Well, I don't expect that Pritchard
and Mitchell will fight, but that will not
prevent the former from meeting somebody
else if he wants to.
Tho Champion Feather-weights.
As matters look now we are to have q
battle between the two famous feather
weights, Dixon and johnson. It is likely
that the contest will take place in England,
although there ought to be more money for
them here. But wherever it does take
place we may rely on a good and honest
contest, because feel confident that both
parties are very much in earnest about the
matter. Personally, I know that two years
ago when Dixon defeated Wallace, john
son was very eager to fight either of them,
and particularly Dixon; in fact, Johnson's
hackers deposited $500 as a forfeit for a
match. At that time had a conversation
with johnson, and he assured me that he
was anxious to meet Dixon for anything
like reasonable purse or stake, and that
there was plenty of money behind him. L
suppose there is yet
But, while have the greatest respect for
Fred johnson, and while I an great ad-
mirer of his very accomplished boxing,
am still inclined to think that he is hardly
strong enough to outstay Dixon. johnson
is a little gentleman, and anybody who
knows him would wish him well. but when
he meets Dixon he meets something more
than feather-weight. Dixon is feather
weight on the same lines as Fitzsimmons is
a middle-weight, and 1 venture to say that
there is not feather-weight in this country
or any other as exceptionally well built as
the colored man. He has the reach and
shoulders for q man OF 5 feet inches in
height, and his legs couldn't have been
made better than they are. His reach has
enabled him to do great things with little,
men; he hits very hard and is
not bad boxer. On the other hand, john
son is exceedingly active and very game
Still the big advantages are all on the side
of Dixon
Those Heavv Middle-Weights.
We are still in the midst Of lots of talk
among those men whom we may call heavy
middle-weights, and, as far as indications
go. there is little hope of many real battles
among them. 1t is, perhaps, satisfactory to
know that they have at last taken notice of
Ed Smith, who is now in this city. And
while they have taken notice of him there
is desire among them to give him a show,
but cnly at the apprentice price-that is, if
he will help them to fill house. they will
pocket the entire amount and give him a
few dollars pocket money. OF course, that
is all in the latter-day boxing business.
But let me ask any body who has taken an
interest in pugilistic matters lately what
claim Jim Hall has on any big purse, or
Why, none at all. Hall has done nothing
in this country whatever to earn the name
of great pugilist. While look upon him
as tolerably fair heavyweight, admit
that nv opinion is all conjecture or almost
ali. He has not defeated any
body here yet True Parson Davies
says he is wonder, but in this instance
the Parsons statement goes as tar with me
as Madden's did about Maher.
Bear in mind I am not SAYING that Hall
is not good man. I am only contending
that until he has won his laurels here he
should not assume such dignifed attitude
as to say he will not fight this man or that
man because of lack of reputation. The
truth is there is nobody in the United
States more in need of a public reputation
than this same Jim Hall. Then why should
he hold out against man like Ed Smith,
who is always ready to fight anybody.
Probably it is because Hall and his friends
think there are easier things to tackle. I be-
lieve there are.
International Athletic Contests.
There have been many things said during
the last few days about the prospects of
athletic contests this year.
Subjects of this kind are always interesting,
among the contestants. But spirit of
patriotism causes all of us to take an in
terest in contests of the kind in question.
1 was talking to very well informed
man on this question the other day, and he
was emphatic in the belief that this year
the United States will be more prominent
in international contests than she has
ever been. This is very strong and
sweeping anticipation, simply because we
have been so prominent before. But there
are indications that the United States will
be Just as good this year as ever Already
we have one bicycle rider in England, and
it is likely he will let the Britishers know
he is there before he returns L refer to
Zimmerman, and report has it that the
Manhattan Club intends to send Willie
Windle to bear him company. The two of
them ought to carry away many trophies.
1t is not likely that our athletic clubs
will send an all-around athlete to Europe
this year, but there is no reason why the
English amateurs should not send one here.
1 don't mean one like the Stafford Harriers,
but simon pure team of amateurs, and the
best in England. They would do we'll here,
and venture to say they would be well
taken care of. 1t would be interesting to
have them here, just to see if they could
sustain the same form here as they have in
their native land. Professionals, as a rule,
lose form, and an amateur team coming here
might still further enlighten US on that.
PRINGLE
PLANT WITH THE pIANn