The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-02

I was very sorry when ne took on Charles
Mitchell. Of England. and passed me by.
| thought / was entitled to first place
with Corbett because / had defeated
Englands champion, Jem Smith. and held
the Australian championship. and had
besides Corbett's promise that he would
fight off the draw we had In California
win or lose with Sullivan.
Should Corhett defeat Mitchell, as the
majority Of American sportsmen think
he VIII. IN all probability he will again
90 on the road with his theatrical troupe
and not FIGHT for six, eight. ten months,
or even a year 81 least fear he would
The champions proposition that / put
myself ir condition and be prepared to
take Mltchelrs place in case the English
man fails 10 come 20 time IS foolish. II
IS not fair The chances that the Briton
viii "hurk" are slim Mitchell has every
thing 10 gain and nothing TO lose by such
a meeting Should he defeat Corbett un-
told gold would be showered upon him.
He could reap a rich harvest in Anne
RIGA. England and Australia by giving
exhibitions. Should he make a draw
with him ne could make q moderate for
tune People would fock TO see the
man who stood OF the man
who whipped John l.. Sullivan. Even
If he defeated after a gallant struggle
people would stlll patronize the man who,
dlspte the physical Disadvantages under
which he labored. had the courage. To face
Sullivan's conqueror So It can be seen
that Mitchell cannot lose anything I'm
any way by meeting Corbett. Why then
should ne not battle with him. Besides,
Mitchell. from what have been told by
those competent 10 speak, is really i'm
pressed with the belief that he can whip
the Californian and Is only too anxious
for the one opportunity OF his life 10 win
fame and fortune.
In view of these facts, ask in all
fairness what earthly chance have / Of
meeting the champion next December in
stead OF MITCHELL Yet Corbett, or his
manager. asks me 10 lay idle for six
months and train hard for a contest on
the chance Of Mitchell's "funking."
have never challenged Corbett and /
never will. Indeed. l have never chal-
lenged any man. but have always stood
ready TO battle any recognized champion
who wanted go" | will be delighted
to meet Corbett within any reasonable
time after his battle with Mitchell.
Should I make a match with the cham
pion, that battle, win or lose, will be the
last Of my life. Age Is now coming on
mel am thlrty-two, and a man pugilis-
ticaliy ages AZ thirty-fiVe or thereabout-
ana ] can't last forever. Younger strong
er and more enduring men will surely
come 10 the front in the next five years,
and / don't care TO close my career IN
defeat. / mean that even should Corbett
whip me / am not anxious for repeti-
ton OF the dose.
! am now going 10 take a brief period
Of rest After a short stay IN England |
win 30 TO my old home, Kingston. ia
Iaaica the prettiest Of the West indian
Islands. I wih he back in the United
tates III August, and VIII await the result
Of the C0rbett-Mitchel battle. II Coroett
wins I hope 50 get on match with him.
II the Enplishman wins | am OF the be-
lief that he will retire on srandly
earned victory and make hay while the
sun shines lie. roo, is pugiiisticsiiy az
ing-ho Is thirty-one-and he is TOO smart
a lad 10 keep on IN game in which he
knows full well that youth must be
served.
want 10 saw IN conclusion that box
tests. as are now governed by club rules,
are not brutal. 4 man perfectly trained
and in the best possible health, with a
physique as rugged rs a rock. seldom II
ever. nowadays suffers lasting injuries
from the result OF a brusng battle IN the
ring. the case Of Donovan, VINO was
killed In a glove contest near Syracuse,
was simply that Of lad who did not
properly train for a hard battle. The
poor boy from what can learn was not
really At 10 enter a four-round contest
In fact. there is very little hard pound
| ing, very little OF the brutal side OF
fighting In the contests OF to-day. With
| the development OF hstic science tbs
cruelty Of the sport passed away. Now
| two clever men really do not infict hall
| the punishment upon each other that tn,
| spectators aud the public at large be
| lieve. The force of many a blow which
| lands Is broken by its recipient shiftinl
| his head or body when he perceives thai
| the blow cannot be avoided. In many
contests either one principal or the othei
succumhs from exhaustion rather thar
the punishment received. II is here con
dition tells.
Boxing. / think Is manly sport. ant
! should be cultivated by the rising gene
| ration. not for the purpose Of breeding
| a race Of fighters, but for a strong
| brave, healthy race of men. no mattel
what occupation they follow In life. Box