The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-07
SULLIVAN.MEANS BUSINESS.
But the Big Fellow Says Mitchell Is Bluflng
and Don't Want TO Fight.

MINNEAPoLIs. Mimi. March GA report
er this afternoon interviewed John l.. Sui
hvan on MitchelPs answer to his challenge,
and the big fellow said: 81 have read Mr..
MitchelPs reply to my challenge and can
only say it IS on q par with his entire atti-
tude towards me. His assertion that he
stood me off twice and extracted forfeit
on both occasions from me is untrue. These
men have bounded me- ever since Mr.. Har-
rison and myself formed part
nership. They came here full of
blow. protesting to have plenty of money
TO back both to fight me, but on being called
by Charles johnson, of Brooklyn, who de.
posted $4,000, they were found wanting.
That deposit remained up for nearly year.
They never covered it. They hammered
away at me with all sorts of challenges
and bluffs for two years. and now that
have the opportunity and time to fight
those men, or any others who have been
offer all sorts of paltry and unmanly ex-
cuses. MitchelPs assertions in his reply
are silly aud contemplate. He claims that
want everything. l don't. am sincere
My challenge is issued, but Will make any
concessions in reason to meet this Mitchell,
or Slavin. or any other tighter. Any rep
utable. honest stakeholder will suit me.
The only things | insist upon are that the
match take place between the middle of
August and the first week In September.
the outside bet and Marquis of Queens;
berry rules TO govern. L am justified
III this for these reasons: My season
ends June with Mr.. Harrison and we TO-
sumo Sept. IL. Our contracts are made.
must have an Inside bet of proper dimen-
sions to justify me In preparing for con-
i don't N
out of it when it comes to the issue.
The Marquis of Queensberry rules l regard
as the only fair rules, as under their gov
eminent q man must fight. not run away.
mean business let them act, not talk and
cry about my weight. That is disadvan-
tage rather than an advantage, and simply
stamps MitcnelPs assertion as ridiculous
and laughable. which any one who knows
anything about lighting will concode. My
ultimatum Is made. My challenge which Is
entirely my own, is out. Ii these men
mean business they know where to find me;
If not, they had better cross the pond and
seek English pence. not American dollars"
Duncan b. Harrison, who was referred to
by Mitchell In his last nights interview as
the author of this challenge of the cham
pion OF the world. said: II have read MIR.
Charles MItchelPs reply to Mr.. Sullivan's
challenge in this mornings paper, IN which
he stated that 1T Is evident the challenge
emanates from mo. That 10 simply man
ufactured story out of the whole cloth. and.
in my conviction. is simply an effort on the
part of Mitchell to evade the issue Mr..
Sullivan himself was the author of the
challenge. This can be proven beyond per-
adventure of doubt"
Mr. Harrison. after speaking of Slavin's
avowed willingness to fight, said: 1T IL, to
say the least, peculiar, that Slavin, upon
Sullivan's arrival in San Francisco from
Australia, made q match with jackson, a
man whom he professed to ignore. thus
placing an obstacle In the way of his meet
ing Sullivan. To summarize the whole
matter, Sullivan has called their bluff and
they know it thoroughly. and they are
Offering all sorts of excuses. Sullivan Is
willing to make any reasonable concession
to meet either or both of these men or any
other of the fighters wh0 will cover his
bet. Heinsists upon three things-Marquis
of Queensberry rules. as small ring as pos
sible and the outside bet-fOr. as he ex-
pressed 1t, he is out for fighting not foot.rac-
lnO.v