The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-25
The Fight.

The Fight.
To-day, perhaps. there will he added
another link to the historical chain OF first
class dramas OF the prize ring. How things
have changed since the days OF our fore
fathers, when the pugilist was absorbed In
pugilism, and the ring was the solitary
field OF his labors!
Once when the friends OF GONE able man
concluded that they had found q mark for
him. days ride In stage coach from
one county to another would generally
bring them TO the other artist aud his back
ers, and to signing OF articles. The match
was made; a reasonable time for prepare
ton was allowed. and the event eventu-
ated. Nowadays to get two great boxers
face to face calls for campaign of year
or more. The petty shores OF England no
longer fence In all the mighty men OF the
manly art. They are scattered the world
over. The curt old-fashioned prellminaries
have expanded into such protracted corre-
spondence by mail or cable that the
elaboration OF modern matchmaking nearly
smothers the battle itself. Then when we
also consider the fact that every hlgh-fying
prize fighter has now CIR o6scio recognized
place upon the stage. and that frequently.
therefore, the golden opportunity for two
fighting stars to enter the same circle goes
by, for the reason that one may be filling n
contract which will keep him on the boards
until the others troupe is ready to start
upon the road, we sees how naturally the
od-fashioned months required for making
and fighting fight have grown into years.
These novel complications also have turned
the ring mems heads with mania for
negotiation. They back and fill and propose
and mnnPuvre and dilly-dally for round
after round OF wind and banter. one man or
both meaning business. but always both
playing for the theatrical cash that follows
a reputation Of being an asplrant for the
championship.
The years required for preparing the
CoRBETT-MITCHELL match. and they have
been many. are up to-day. The betting Is
heavily on actor CoRBETr. Hell undoubtedly
apretty high class development Of the genus
pugilist. Of the species American. variety
altitudinous. He is n tall man. aud likewise
good. his very great strength being some
what misrepresented by length OF limb. lie
has the quickness OF great nervous energy
and the skill OF cool and clever head
possessed OF n natural aptitude for his
avocation OF boxing. He Is far heavier than
MITCHELL. and being accounted full able to
use his weight. his chances would seem as
rosy as a florists ice chest.
On the other hand. as the last OF the true
type OF the old English prize fighter. and
he belongs among the best OF them,
MITCHELL has inherited certain title to
respect and consideration. Muscularly no Is
extremely powerful. No one is more skilful
in the fighters art. Previous displays OF
thickness In the ring or Of wariness in
matchmaking have been probably not for
the lack OF personal courage. but rather
because Of very level business head
and clean-cut purpose to win. More
over. we are not aware OF any occasion
when MITCHELL has been absolutely and
completely beaten. He seemed toy
in the great SULLIvAN's hands in Madi-
son Square Garden. but he still was
facing the music when 1t was stopped by
the police. SULLIVAN failed to whip him in
the ring In France. DoMINICK MCCAFFREY
gained decision" against him in q four
round contest; but at the end, although the
decision may have been all right. 1t looked
as II McCAFFREY was nearer being licked
than MITCHELL. 1t will be q feather in
CoRBETT's cap II Improves the better man:
but, while We expect to see him wear that
particular feather. IL won't be won with the
leap and bound OF a single round. MITCH
ELL will fight hard.