The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-15
TIPS BY PAT SHEEDY.
Bob FitZsimmons and Jim Hall
Both Dishonest Fighters.
BIG PURSES CREATE FAk,Rs.
Why Corbett VIII Never Be Popul.r
No Foreign Pugilists Have
Real Manly Attributes

The modern fighter, like the humorist to
whose memory the gloomy Dane paid
parting tribute at the graveside, is "a fel-
10" OF Infinite jest and most exquisite
fancy" The humor of the gladiator is
rendered all the more exquisite by an ap-
parent Inconsistencies that he is at all
lunny. AT times ne imagines he is an
actor, shuns the arena and fits his busy
houSs upon the stage. He scorns to don
the cestus again unless a gold mine is held
out as an lnducement and he is accorded
the further privilege of selecting his oppo-
nent at time and place suited to his
nlghness. And this Is a champion, the
bold soldier of fortune whom luck or ac-
cldent has launched upon the crest of the
wave! Shades of Hyer, Heenan, Morris
sey and Savers, look down upon us and
condone the seeming profanity of that
Jocose satirel l have unconsciousIy
assimilated q bon dit of a famous
statesman, but it strikes me as
exceedingly pat, and l use it for
what 1t Is worth. Imagine for a moment
II you can the great quartet l have men,
toned or any of their compeers refusing a
bona tide challenge properly backed upon
the plea that theatrical contracts pre-
vented the acceptance of fstic engage
ment for year or two. Why, they would
be hooted off the stage, if not out of the
country. No, champions were fighters in
those days and not actors. They fought
for one-tenth and even one-twentieth of
the stakes loOkingglass champions now de-
mand as prerequisite to their entering
the ring. And RICH. royal battles they
were, with bare knuckles, on the turf. and
not with pillows in padded arena. Just
think of it! Yankee Sullivan and John
Morrissey fought for $1,000 a side, and
John c. Heenan and Tom Savers battled
for the fstic supremacy of the world for a
like amount. Now two foreign middle
weights, Hall and Fitzsimmons. coollv de-
mand $40, 900 for glove fight, and, what
is more, get it. These two men are not. in
the opinion of leading sportsmen, honest
fighters. One. Fitzsimmons, claims to
have Laid down" to the other in their ma
tive land for the insignificant sum of Els,
or about SIS. What guarantee have the
public that this precious twain will not re-
peat the performance at New Orleans with
such tidy fortune as $40. 900 to "split up
between them? The lnducement for a
"barney" is tremendous.
Big purses create actors and fakirs.
Why, even the pigmies of the ring scorn a
fistic fray unless $40. 900 or more is put up
as need of victory. The loser, too, wants
big monetary balm for his injuries. If
the little fellows cannot star as Gentle
men Jacks" they can get up vaudeville
shows and clear $500 or $1,000 a week.
, Why, then, should they want to tight,
when one or two victories CD will place
them in position OF atfluence? Think of
the colossal assurance of George Dixon,
who claims to be featherweight champion
of the world and won't battle for the title
with Johnny Griffin. He, or rather his
astute manager. haughtily informs the
Braintree lad that theatrical engage
ments" won't be broken unless Griffin con-
sents to fight at lis pounds. One hundred
and twenty-five pounds is the feather