Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-09

King was knocked down and Heenan was
strong and vigorous. A row took place,
and it was considerable time before the
fight was resumed. Heenan ought to have
been given the fight, as King was knocked
out. But when the contest was resumed
Heenan walked to the center of the ring
as if stupefed. He was changed man; he
was helpless and could do nothing. He be-
came target for King. who had revived
somewhat. The brave but unfortunate
Heenan was soon done for. The dose nearly
killed him. Et
1t may never be publicly known who ad-
niinistered the dose. Heenan's seconds
were Jack Mcdonald and Tom Sayers The
he was made helplessly drunk and McDon-
aid never once objected; indeed, he en-
couraged it. Nobody could give Heenan
anything except his own friend McDana
saw 1t, and it is natural that suspicion
should rest, on Mcdonald. He, Heenan,
King and Sayers are all beyond humanity,
and the entire truth of the affair may never
be known. But certain it is that Heenan
was drugged, and drugged by ore of his
own friends. who also aided in making
Saycrs stupidity drunk.
Well, there was nothing like the above in
the alleged case of Sullivan. johnson, his
backer, very wisely remarked the other day:
'If Sullivan was drugged at New Orleans,
what was the matter in France - This re-
mark was exceedingly pleasing to me, be-
cause it bears out what I have been con-
tending for ever since Sullivan and Mitchell
fought in France. then contended that
Sullivan could not fight an active and clever
man. This opinion has been assailed both
by johnson and everybody else who writes
or talks publicly about pugilism in Amer
lea. Now, when it is not possible to do
anything else, johnson himself points to
the contest in France as q failure on the
part of Sullivan. This certainly is veri-
fcation that l had never expected.
1 cannot possibly. bring myself tosbeleve
that Sullivan will ever fight again. John
son now contends that Sullivan was better
when he me: Corbett than he ever was in
his lite, and that means he was never in
the same class as the leading pugilists Of
ing, but what the backer Of John L. Sulli-
van says
Corbett and His Challengers.
James j. Corbett is not in the boxing
business because he is naturally fond of it.
If there was no other reward than that of
glory, Mr. Corbett would have none of it.
He is different to the thorough-going pugi-
list who is what he is because nature has
given him a desire to be nothing else Cor
bett is boxer for money and for money only,
and his replies to his recent challengers has
left no doubt on this score. He has again
declared that he does not mean to fight or
box until II months have elapsed.
While he is making this declaration he is
also trying to stir up the bitter feeling OF
nationality in his favor by blackglarding
Mitchell daily. Mitchell is at the other
side of the Atlantic and Goddard Is here
with forfeit up to fight Corbett, but the
latter hasn't a word to say to Goddard or
about him. Goddard is certainly q foeman
worthy of Corbet.'s steel, because he de-
feated Choynski much easier than ever Cor
bett ever did or can do.
This refusal on the part of Corbett to fight
for the title which he claims to have won
from Sullivan will cause big discussion as
to whether or not he should be recognized
as the champion. There is nothing
either in the London prize ring
rules or in the Queensberry rules
to say when champion or anybody else
shall fight for a title. There are conditions
attached to championship trophies which
compel the holder to fight within months
for it if challenged, but Corbett did not
uSut loE any hoPhy, anu LucTclOEc ulu HOt
get any. His championship is only glove
championship and was not obtained under
the rules that have governed previous
championship battles of historic fame.
But the tact that Corbett claims the title
of champion makes him amenable TO the
rules that custom has laid down and that is
to fight a challenge within six months, of
the issue of the challenge. It is preposter-
GUS for any man to claim title OF cham
pion and decline to defend it until he is
ready. If that were to be the rule man
might win the title and keep it for life.
Sullivan was forced to- give up the title to
Kilrain by refusing to fight the latter at the
proper time, and there is no reason what
ever that James j. Corbett should be al
lowed to tour the country a. champion
without giving good men. reasonable
chance to gain it. It is this utter disregard
for custom and rules Of fairness and the
excessive greed for money, together with