The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-22
MATCHING BIG FELLOWS.
Meeting Of Sports in New York to
Arrange the Sullivan orbeN
Match.

No Blufhing or Foolish Talk, and
the Required Money Was
Forthcoming.
Opinions of a Squad of sports-Ali in Favor
of sullivan-The Caltfornian's Self
Confidence.
John T.. Sullivan. champion OF the world,
and James j. Corbett, Of California, vera
matched at the New York World Office last
week. They are to fight Sept. Z, at the
OLYMPIC club, in New Orleans, for the
heavy weight pugilistio championship of the
world, $40, 900 a side and n purse of $4,000.
The winner, OF course, will take the title
and all the money. This is by far the most
important pugilistic contest ever arranged.
No two men ever fought for SO large q
purse, and only in the Sullivan-kilrain
fight at R%iohburg, Miss, July 8, 1889, have
the stakes been so large. The men repre-
sent extreme ends of the United States.
sullivan was born in Boston thirty-three
years ago, and Corbatt first saw the light
of day in San Francisco twenty-five yeats
ago. 1t will be a battle OF the east VS.. the
west. Sullivan is five feet 10}s inches high
and will enter the ring at about 200 pounds.
Corbstt is six feet one and one-half inches
tall and he hopes to weigh $50 pounds on
Sept. Z.
Since Sullivan's open letter of defiance,
issued a week ago, nothing definite has been
heard from Charles Mitchell, the English
boxing champion, who professed to be anx-
ious to meet the big fellow. Now that
Sullivan is matched with Corbett, however,
Mitchell may resume with impunity his
newspaper warfare against the champion.
On Feb. 10 William A. Brady, Corbett's
manager, deposited $1,000 with the sport
ing editor of the World as a forfeit to bind
q six-round CONTEST between Corbstt and
Mitchell at the Olympic club March 2.
Mitchell ignored the challenge but began
negotiations at New Orleans for q fight
with Sullivan. The champion named the
terms mon which he would meet Mitchell.
The English boxer objected to the size OF
the stake. He would not consent to put up
more than s.. 500. Meantime Mr.. Brady
called at the World office and said the for
felt he nae posted for a bout between Cor
bett and Mitchell would stand for q match
with Sullivan. This was t~elegraphed to
the big fellow, who requested his hackers
Charles Johnston, of Brooklyn, and James
Wakely, of this city-to cover Corbett's
money.
On March 10 Mr.. Wakely called at the
World office and deposited $4,000 with the
sporting editor in behalf of Sullivan.
Both Corbett and Brady were out of the
city. but agreed to meet Mr.. Wakely at the
World office yesterday afternoon between
one and three O'Clock. post the balance of
the So. 800 and sign articles Of agreement.
This they did. and the match is made.
1t was exactly one O'Clock when Messrs.
Corbett and Brady entered the Pulitzer
building yesterday. The Californian
had gathered to watch the proceedings.
aAmong them were Honest" John Kelly.
Prof. Mike Donovan, the old trainer; Prof.
Connolly, j. @. Kennedy, Col. Bill Hard
ing, Of the Police Gazette: Jack Melon
ough, John b. Mccormick and a dozen
sporting writer's.
"Well, we are on time" was Corbett's
observation, as he took a chair and opened
conversation with Donovan. II was going
over to Boston to spar with Joe Lannon at
his benefit tonight" Corbstt continued,
"but s%prained my thumb in a set-to with
liamsburg yesterday afternoon, and it's no
use for nae to co. Corbett pulled off his
right glove and showed a thumb swollen to
twice its natural size and much aiscolored.
Presently the telephone rang. rs Mr..
Corbett THEREOF was asked by the central
office.
He is," was the answer.
'"There's come one IN Boston who wants
to speak to him"
The Californian rent to the telephone.
who is it?" he asked. Lamont? Oh,
hello, Joe. l u go over tonight. I've
h-H -r AA,-> ~-n r-s- ~tA1 TN-I. HNIn-A1
I needn't spar. just show myself. that's
all. No; that won't so. | w~ouldn'tgo over
unless l could spar with you. What's that?
What! I am a big stiff, and You'll punch
me il you ever get a chance! Well, if l had
you over bore I'd punch that fat face of
yours until you couldn't see."
Five minutes" said the sweet soprano
voice of the central operator, and the
pugilistic encounter was stopped.
The party waited until two O'Clock, when
Messrs. Wakely and Phil Lynch arrived.
1--WE may az we'll get down to business
said Jim. II guess we can do this quickly.'
Mr.. Brady handed the sporting editor of
the World 81, 500, which made the amount
posted BY each side SEC The articles of
agreement were then drafted and signed.
Here is some of the conversation between
the parties to the match while they were in
the World office:
Hello, JIM exclaimed Sullivan's hacker
as he entered the room, extending his hand
and grasping that of the Californian IN a
friendly shake. 81 see you're on time"
We'll, you are not very tardy yourself,
JIM said Corbett, automatically.
"Well, you see, had to meet a man"
Wakely went on, land that DELAYED me;
but now that we're here let's attend to the
business and be don with it,"
They were soon discussing the details.
All Wakely wanted was II thorough under
standing before signing the articles. That
was exactly what Corbett was after.
II am perfectly satisfied with ANYTHING
you propose.' said Corbett. ''for | know
shat you are not looking for any the best
of it,"
You may depend upon that was
Wakely's response. II am here represent
ing Sullivan and his other hacker, Charley
Johnston. All l care for is to arrange a
square match for the big fellow. He asks
no favors.'
And l can stand him off on that point,'
interrupted Corbett.
Very we'll, Them Wakely continued.
I'VE are here to make q match with YOU fol
$4,000 a. side and q $25. OOO pnrse. winner
to take everything. Is that right?'
That's what we came for" replied the
Californian. Il don't want a penny if
lose.f'
A right" said Wakely good-naturedly
everything is satisfactory SO far. Sullivan