The morning call., 1893-05-31
CHAMPION PUGS.
How John L. Sullivan
Was Discovered.
PUGS.
COrbett's Title Is That of Boxing
Champion-Jackson Thinks Mitch
ell viii Do Up Jim.

Although James ]. Corbett signs him.
self champion of the world by virtue of
having whipped John L. Sullivan, which
feat he accomplished in clever style, it
must be remem bered, however. that his
title is that of boxing champion.
There is wide difference between box
ing and fighting.
Sullivan, by defeating Kilrain on the
turf, won the priZe-ring or fighting cham
piouship, which title he still holds. Cor
bett and Sullivan met and contested for
the boxing championship of the world
under Queensbury rules and Corbett won ;
therefore the latter can claim only The
boxing championship.
10 win the priZe-ring cham pionship Mr..
Corbett must meet Sullivan on the turf
and do battle according to the London
priZe-rng rules.
As the old style of fighting is rapidly
degenerating it is very doubtful If Mr.
Sullivan will be challenged by Mr.. Cor
bett or Mr.. Jackson to defend the title of
prize-ring champion.
jackson has almost given up hopes of
meeting Corbett again. In fact. the col
Ored boxer is rather impressed with the
idea that Charley Mitchell will surprise
Champion Jim when they exchange fstic
compliments, as will be seen by the fol-
penned friend in New York. 1t reads
Just think of it, Peter jackson an
actor! l wish l thought of it long ago.
for Pm sure | should have gone on the
stage long before this. It's hundred per
cent better than fighting and you feel bet
ter when you get through, too. But after
all, | am glad that | am fighter and that
l will soon have chance to become the
champion of the world-my sole ambi-
ton. But | always ask myself. when
think of it, VIII Corbett ever fight me
He knows that he owes me a fight and
shouldn't have taken on Mitchell before
me. l fought him a draw in California
and would ever so much like to finish it.
| am con fidenr, Ed, that l could whip him.
l think l would have been champion be-
fore this if Sullivan would have given me
chance. But he barred color and had
to take it how it came.
'Say, l think Mitchell will give COrbet:
hard battle. L don't want to express my
self as to who will win, for they are both
friends of niue, and are fellow-profeS-
SIGNALS. But | have my opinion, and no
doubt you can guess what it is. l have
grown somewhat. and become quite stout
since you saw me last. | am feeling like
a two7yearsold though. and, save fer the
fatigue and incidental things connected
with travel, my life is happy one. Y GU
ought to see the Parson act. Why, he's a
Jim dandy. aud you would think, if you
saw him on the stage, that he was an old
timer at the business. The Parson is sure
that Corbett wouldn't take me on. BE
doesn't believe land L am beginning tC
think that way myself that the champio
will ever fight me. ChOynski and / are
sDarrng partners, and Joe is in fine torn
He doesn't have TO act to any extent. bu'
he's got more than the ordinary intelIi.
gence. Joe wants TO fight Fitz in the worst
way and thinks he can do him.
"lhere is one drawback in being ar
actor. We have played to crowded houses
wherever we have appeared, and some OF
the people that come to see use, especially
the gallery boys, are indeed very funny.
They kid me little. but it's so good
natured that don't mind it. When the
Parson lashes me the boys up above yell
that should strike out with my left
uppercut him. and knock him ont Some
times laugh in spite of myself"
Since Corbett's victory over the Boston
heavy.weight there has been but little
| said of the once famous knocker-out.
John B. Mccormick. whose several let
tnrs on pugilism in Eastern papers at
tracted much attention few years ago,
was largely responsible for Sullivan S
jump into pugilistc prominence.
McCormick>S latest version of the dis
covery OF the big fellow is we'll worth
reading. Here it is:
Il spent portion of my summer in 1881
in Boston, A few DAYS after my arrival
at the Hub Patsy Sheppard told me about
a young man in the town who knew very
little about scientific boxing, but who was
as strong as an OK and could knock hole
in brick wall Not long before he had
Knocked Joe GOss senseless. By appoint
ment met Sullivan that same night and
was strnck by his phenomenal physique.
There was dearth of young men in the
ring at the time. But few years before !
had seer seen two bald-headed men. Joe Goss
and Tom Allen, battling for the champion
snip OF America, and their successor,
Paddy Ryan. was very medium man. i
| had been dabbling cOnsiderab bly, in sporting
and amusement enterprises, and after some
talk with the embryo champion, asked
| him what he would take to 60 to Cinrin-
natl and box the toughest man l could
pick out to 90 against him. Where's Gin
cinnatiT he asked. and when / told him
he said he had tried without success TO get
on fight with Paddy Ryan. and was will
| ing to fight any man in the world. After
some talk l offered him a round trip to
| Cincinnati. his hotel expenses and 500 for
week. Put 1t in writing he said, and
old so and kept the agreement which still
nave. Sullivan did not know much OF con-
tracts In those days, and did not ask for a
copy. On my return TO Boston wrote a
most glowing account of the young Boston
| phenomenon. Manager Bob Miles OF
Roblnson's Opera house wanted to 90
| halves, He 10 luTulSn the lDeal6r, Wnen
went 10 engage it, and accepted. Then
came the hard part of the game. Paddy
RYAN wouldn't give Sullivan recognition.
| and Joe C0barn was in the penitentiary
Charley Mcdonald, who is now blind in
Harper Hospital in Detroit, was the
champion Of Canada out he was bound
by contract with Ryan and ] could no,
get him. George Rookie would not come So
far (?) west and things looked blue. / was
at my desk in The Enquirer office one nigh
when in walked a big, strappug fellow
and asked me if / was Macon When
told him was he said his name was John
Donaldson, and that he wanted to fgbI
that world-beater.
From newspaper accounts of what he
had done in the ring / engaged him
Donaldson is to-day Jim Corbetl' sparrinf
partner. telegraphed next dav for Sui.
Ivan. and four nights later he arrived in
Cincinnati. When l met him at the station
took him to carriage. What's the use
IN blowing In your money on coach p ht
said. Haven't you any street cars here ?
told him 1t was all right and took him tt
saloon for drink. He at first refused
but finally took lemonade. I lad 81 hi
on the bar and the way he looked at the
81 70 change led me TO ask him if he had
any money. He went down in his poke
and produced a 2-cent piece. l showed