The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-08
CORBETT and MITCHELL
Referee John P. Eckhardt's Estimate
of the Men.
NO DOUBT OF THEIR SINCERITY.
The Coney Island Oniciai Says that the
Great Battle VIII Surely Take Place
What the Winner VIII Probably Cap
turo.

There can scarcely be any doubt en-
tertained now that James j. Corbett,
champion pugilist Of America, and
Charles Mitchell, the premier boxer of
England. will meet in the roped arena
next December and battle for the
worlds championship. The greatest
gladiators of the Old and New World
will have every possible incentive TO at
tain the need of victory. To the con-
querer it means fame and fortune. This
is proven by the wonderful career OF
John l.. Sullivan, whose renown per-
vaded all portions of the universe and
whose mighty arms conjured up gold
like the wand of a magician. Corbett, too,
since his defeat of Sullivan, is known
at points of the compass where the
threats, entreaties or objurgations
could cajole the shrewd Englishman
into another match.
Again, should fortune favor Mitchell,
the Briton would kill two birds with
one stone. He would become the idol
of the British sporting public, with
whom he Is now unpopular, and he
would also win the goodwill of thou
sands and tens of thousands Of Sulli-
vans supporters, who, justly or unjust
ly, bitterly hate the present champion.
At one stroke Mitchell, il fortunate, as
have endeavored TO show, would re-
gain the standing he lost years ago,
both in this country and In England
That means that he can make fortune
in each of them. Moreover, Mitchell
really believes that he can whip Corbett
and is naturally all the more anxious
names of benjamin Harrison, Grovei
Cleveland and Chauncey NJ. Depew were
never heard of He has also gained
wealth and could retire now upon a
competency il he were SO disposed.
With the prospects, then, of enduring
fame before them and the riches which
follow in the train of success, why
should either principal funk from a
match once entered into.
True, large contingent Of the sport
ing public are skeptical about the sim
cerity of both champions. They de-
clare, with some show of reason, that
Corbett and Mitchell could both very
easily afford TO put up $4,000 forfeit
for fight which is to take place away
off in December next. ten months from
the present time, and make $4,000 a
week, or SS0,00 in ten months, and
then decide to save their comeliness
and laugh to scorn clubs and match.
makers. Seventy thousand dollars net
gain, these critics aver. is pretty
penny to turn without receiv'
ing mark or a brutse. OF Mitchell es.
pecially are the talent suspicious. They
point TO the Englishman's record and
declare that he has always been the
most finnicky of men living about max
ing a match. This may be true in re-
gard to Jack Dempsey, Al Greenfield
and Jem Smith, for in a battle with
them he had everything to lose and
nothing to gain, but the moment he
had an opportunity to get on a match
with the ex-champion of champions,
John l.. Sullivan, he Immediately
seized IL and put not the slightest oh.
struction in the way of its consumma-
ton. In contest with Sullivan he had
everything to gain and nothing to lose,
and it is upon the gallant fight he put
up at Chant:lly, France, in which he
drew the ex-champion, that the foun.
dation of his fame rests. Now. as on
the match with Sullivan the willy Briton
again sees the opportunity of his life
before him. Indeed, Mitchell believes
grander opportunity is afforded him.
To whip the man who whipped Sullivan
means a life of afiuence, luxury and
ease for all time to come. Mitchell,
should he succeed in defeating our
champion, could make 81, 600, 900 in ten
years and never be forced to meet an.
other aspirant for fistic fame. Ind eed,
it is safe - assume that no amount Of