The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-23
JIM CORBETT'S DANDER UP
The Champion Is Tired Being Barked at
by Numerous PugilistiC Fistes,
Next Fall for Purse, Mitchell or Jack
son Preferred-His Statement.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
CHICAGO. Jan. 22-Champion James j.
Corbett, who is In this city with his
theatrical combination, has been rather
severely criticised during the past few
months for his course In insisting on years
rest before taking on another match for
the worlds championship. Prominent
among his assailants have been Pat Sheedy
and the hackers of several puqilists of
prominence who are seeking championship
honors. Corbett to-day gave ont an inter-
view. in which be defends his position, and
which he concludes with a sweeping chal-
lenge to fight any one-Mitohell or Jackson
preferred-tne fight to take place next fall
for purse The statement, which is signed
James j. Corbett. champion of the
world" discusses recent article by Pat
Sheedy. and is In part as follows:
IL believe one OF Mr.. Sheedy's statements
was that John L. Sullivan would annlhi-
late me with one blow and that would not
last three rounds In his letter the distin.
Ruished Mr.. Sheedy alludes to sullivan and
Mitchell as two easy marks, have never
met nor sought contests with easy marks
If were ID the habit of doing 80 / mighs
accept the challenges of SOME Of the would
be champions who are now chasing me.
NV record shows that | have successfully
battled with men like Jack Burke. JAKE
Kilrain, Joe Choynski, DOminick MoCaf-
frey. Peter Jackson and John l.: Sullivan.
Mr. Sheedy did not think Mr.. Sullivan was
made the prediction alluded to above. and
surely the boxers that l have mentioned
are not TO be so rated"
In reply to Sheedy's argument against
the practice of fighting for large purses.
Corbett says:
IF champion pugilists are going to con-
test for $4,000 purses and stakes all told.
as the distinguished Mr.. Sheedy suggests.
who then ls going 20 take the money that
they will draw. According to figures pub
lished the night that Sullivan and fought
the receipts were nearly $4,000; the purse
was s25 coo. and the club cleared close to
S45. coo on the battle The profits of the
and Sicily, $4,000; Maher and Fitzslm-
mons. $4,000. The Coney Island Club adj
mits that il cleared S25, 600 with the Dixon
johnson match; $4,000 with Choynskl and
Godfrey. and $4,000 with Goddard. The
fact that the Crescent Club, of Nsw
Orleans. gives Fltzsimmons and Hall q
$40 900 purse, and has offered Mitchell and
yself S55. 900 purse, proves that al present
there are fortunes being made by athletic
clubs which are arranging boxing contests
between champions Who is this money to
go TO If not to the pugilists!"
Corbett asserts IN justification of his
course In asking one years rest between
bis battles that Sullivan. although he held
the championship twelve years. only
fou ght four men-RyaD Mitchell, Kilrain
and Corbett-an average OF one battle
every three years.
In regard to the proposed matches he
said: Until Goddard wins the champion
ship of Australia l will have nothing to do
with him. / am champion of the world.
and claim the right TO say whom i shall
meet. ] am prepared to fight the cham
pion of England or Australia. | prefer
Charley Mitchell. the acknowledged cham
pIon boxer of England. and an undefeated
man. After his arrival which will be soon,
/ will allow him q certain period to show
that he means business. In case of his fail
ure to do so. Peter Jackson 10 my next
choice. and, in case be does not come up to
the scratch. i will meet any man In the
world. barring no color or nationality, the
fight to take place In the fail"