The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-09
IS. jim C0RBETT GAME2
Tho Question That Is %Bothering Ex-
ceedingly Lovers Of the
Fistic Art.
Louis q. Ward Scouts the Idea
That tho Californian Is q
Quitter.
brave a. q Lion and A Game n That
Brave ~ . Lion and ~ Game a. That
Royal AnimRl-Ho Can whip
Sullivan.

sullivan.
ID James ]. Corbett game?
The question Inns often bsen asked since
John l.. Sullivan and the yonnR Califor-
nian we're matched, and now that the big
battle 10 nearing at hand II has been a
sourcs Of much discussion. The admirers
Of Corbett fear that his heart, as the sport
ing man says, Ia not in the proper place,
and that one or two punches from Sully's
ponderous right will make him quit.
II 10 interesting, therefore, to have the
opinion Of Mr.. Louis G. Ward on this
much-mooted question. Mr.. Ward 10 the
gentleman who frat taught Jim Oorbstt
the manly art, and IL one Of the leading
spirits Of the famous California Athletic
club, as we'll a. q prominent merchant and
political light Of San Francisco. Mr.. Ward
stopped in New York last week and was the
guest of Pro-. Mike Donovan, Of the New
York Athletic. where he was interviewed
by the Journal man. /.
Mr.. Ward said he was q friend of both
Sullivan and Corbett, but he thought Jim
the superior to the Boston boy and should
win, not, however, until a desperate battle
had been fought. As to Corbett's game-
ness, M. Ward said that there was never q
gamier man in the prize ring sincs the days
of FiRe.
Gamer" said tho distinguished Califor-
nian, "Well. I guess he 10! II Sullivan do
feats him at all he'll have to ont his flesh
into ribbons or knock him out before he
can wear the crown Of victory. have wit
messed all of Jim's battles and taught him
to box, and I think I should know . little
something about him. In cleverness I
think he Is the peer Of any pugilist in the
world. and a glutton at taking punish.
ment."
Naturally MI. Ward is proud Of his pupil
He has the most sanguine expectation re-
parding tho outcome of his pets battle with
the pride of Boston. He honestly believes
that Corbett will defeat Sullivan to q moral
certainty.
Last week Mr.. Ward paid a visit to Cor
bett at his training quarters near Asbury
Park. N. j., and was delighted with Cor
belts condition.
II never saw Jim look 80 we'll before in
nv life," he said to the New York Morning
journal reporter yesterday. is as big
and as strong az a moose and az nimhle as
fawn. He is in the best of health, and
will be in a physical condition he never was
before when he meets Sullivan in the arena
of the Olympic club at New Orleans, on the
7th of September next"
Mr.. Ward then went on TO tell many in
teresting anecdotes Of .ae youthful Cali
despite his handsome face aud charming
manners. was a fighter from the ground mp.
Indeed he is a fighter by inheritance. his
father being one of the best ''scrappers'' in
San Francisco in his early days. Jim's
brothers, too" says Mr.. Ward. "are all
fighters and able to take a turn with almost
any Of the big puRilists who are paradinQ
about American soil, defying all mankind
to combat. Jim, however, is the only pro-
feasionsl gladiator in the family. The
other boys are all quiet. sedate and prosper
GUS business men. whose only recreation is
the enjoyment of athletic exercise at the
Olympic club.
Jim continued Mr.. Ward. was a fight
feat from the time he was able to talk. He
could easily thrash any Of his playmntes at
school, and when he attained even the first
period of his youth, could just az readily
vanquish any of his club mates at the
California"
Bv this Mr.. Ward did not mean that Cor.
bett was ever a bully. Quite the contrary.
He was always a gentle, easy going, open.
handed. open-h hearted fellow who would
not harm a fly. He was q courageous,
manly boy, however. n would not take a
licking from a bully, were ne as big "a a
house and as strong as a cart horse.
Jim never picked q quarrel with man or
boy in his life" said Mr.. Ward, in a tone
of admiration, ''but he would never permit
any one to bulidoze about a little one in
point of chivalry and was deservsdly be-
loved by his comrades. By reason Of his
chivalrous disposition. Jim often had
run-ins with youthful bullies in his school
days, but he had no malice in his DISPOSE
ton and never cherished enmities. He
WnuI6 ha the la h0v in thu xuopl1 ~ e. rvt
. defeated rival with his disgrace. aud the
result was that the very fellows whom he
thrashed became his warmest friends"
Mr.. Ward 10 confident that Corbett will
Tho reasons I advance for my belief in
Jim's coming victory are thess,'' said the
eminent sporting man and politician:
First the boy ia ten years younger than
Sullivan. has mover abused himself as the
great Bostonian has done, and must usces-
of endurance. In . protracted encounter
these qualities would be sure to tell. Again,
Jim is three inches taller than Sullivan,
far longer in the reach, and, to my mind.
much more clever. ! am positive that he ia
speedier in action. for / have watched both
men carefully. and speed. it may be re-
marked, is a great factor in a fight"
When asked by the Journal reporter if
Sullivan's tremendous hitting powers and
marvellous forte as a rusher, would not
AnAli'Sso &Ie"C!y against SJOEDett, MI. W0r0
promptly replied in the negative.
sullivan never met such a man as Cor
Dest," he argued. Jim is chain lightning
and can easily stop or evade his rusbes.
He has the best left hand l ever saw, and.
mark the prediction, will astonish the big
fellow''by the way he will dash that useful
member in his face when the rushing COM
mences. 1t will be the jackson. Slavin fight
over again. The white Australian was ns
much stronger than the black one as Sulli-
van is over Corbett. Yet he was .jabbed
out in ten ferco ounds Corbett will stop
Sullivan in the same way and in about tho
Same number of rounds.
And here let me say" continued Mr.,
Ward, that Corbett is a much stronger
man and harder hitter than he is credited
with. He can hit hard enough to put any
one ont. In fact, he can plant almost as
powerful a blow rs Sullivan himself, and
the best OF it TO-, get away without Receiving
one in return. Just think Of IL In MI