Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-01-26
THE HISTORY or TIE MATCH
Row tine Zig Puginstio Contest Was
brought About

JACKSONVILLE, FLA, January 25.-
The Corbett-Mitchell fight today is
logically the outcome of the downfall
OF the twelve years idol OF the pugilis-
tic world. Mitchell had fought draw
with sullivan when Sullivan was in his
prime. Before Mitchell and Corhett
met each other in the ring Mitchell,
equally with the San Francisco bow.
was formidable claimant for the lau-
rels which CorbeLt wrested from the
pride OF Boston in New Orleans a
year ago. When Corbett was proclaim
ed the champion he had TO face a torrent
OF challenges. II was public cry that
COrbett should meet the handsome Eng
lish lad first and the conviction settled
itself In Corbett's mind that fiji with
Mitchell would be war TO the knife, and
was inevitable. a long prelude OF cross
firing in the press ultimately brought
the men together.
An agreement was prepared early last
summer and the month of December
vas selected for the date The arti-
cies OF agreement included n stake OF
$4,000 each, to be posted by the men,
and an invitation issued to then then
three leading clubs in America,
to bid against each other for
the honor OF the battle ground
Even before the match was made,
Mitchell had signed promise with
Charley Noel to give New Orleans the
preference, but fighting got a black eye
in the Ores cent City by the Hall-Fitz-
simmons fasco and Coney Island was
left TO wrestle with Roby for the con
sent Of the fighters.
Judge Newton came out victor in the
competition, but prize fighting became
an issue In New York politics. Mayor
Body signed the death warrant OF
Coney Island. Roby had a pyrotechnic
career, and Governor Mathews pre-
pared shroud for the club and its back
ers and Mitchell and Corbett turned
their eyes southwark for money and
battle ground. They dlckered with the
Olympic Club Of New Orleans, made
their demands decisive and finally lost
the opportunity to fight without
annoyance and with police protection.
Then from among mass Of offers the
pugi.ists picked out the one from Jack
sonviIle for serious consideration. u.
u. T. Bowdeu, one OF Jacksonville's
first citizens, was east when the death
knel OF t1ncy Island was sounded.
lie rushed back here. consulted
tho Florida statutes, found no pro-
h.b.tiou against boxing contests, sound
/ ed the old and tho best aud most in-
/ iuentiai citizens and found backing on
/ both sides, and the Duval Athletic
Club was born. Then the comm ssioner
/ OF the club went east, met tho hackers
~ the pusiIists, talked business 10
them and obtained their signatures %
articles of agreement. Under the agree
ment the club offered purse OF 500 600
/ and acceded 90 q demand OF tho puri-
hsts Tor $1,000 90 cover training
| and incidental expenses The Conev
/ Islands original offer was $50. 900
/ for che ight Executive Interference
| sliced the purse Zoo two After making
1 tho match Che Duyal club proceeded 90
| advertise 20 broadcast Then kilograms
/ began pouring into Jacksonville pro-
/ testing against tho contest. Governor
| Mitchell was driven 90 action. lie
/ ranged himself in stern oppositiou.
/ The impoluc management here bid
/ open defiance 90 the authorities. and
/ then commenced the long newsUaDer
/ warfare between Jacksonville aud