The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-09-11
PETER WIELDS His PEN
The Irish Champion Picks Fitz-
simmons as a Winner.
BUILDING CASTLES IN TIE AIR.

n1aher Tells What IIe VIII DO ir He De-
feats O'Donncll, jackson and the Win
ner of tho Corbett- Fitzsimmons Battle.
The Sullivan Renaissance In Pug,lism.
Tho eyes of tho sporting world arc con
tered on tho big lstic carnival which be-
gins In Dallas on Oct. 81 next. That car
nival, venture to predict, will start u
new ora In pugilism. Boxing will be no
longer prescribed, in America at least, and
tho success tho tournament is sure to at
tain will bring forth champions rs yet I'M
known to fame No sturdy fellow of tho
right spirit fancics hard work and boggar-
ly compensation, and when he hears of
81, 1000 or moro boing divided among tho
winners of three or four short encounters
he will be actually hungering for an op-
portunity to test his skill and gain the
rich reward Of valor.
Before that once incompatible pugilist
John l.. Sullivan entered tho lists and
won his way to fnmo boxing was dead.
There was not a real, live, bona f1dc cham
pion i'll America, England, Ireland or Aus
traliu, tho four countries of tho globe in
which pugilism is a distinctive sport. Tho
splcndor of tho great Bostonians achieve
mcnts, however, fired the strong, cour;-
gcous mon of the world with zeal to emulate
his example. Thcn sprang up in u re-
markably short space of timo n lot of car
nest and clover gladiators, all of whom were
eager to become champion in their rcspcc-
tive classes Principal among these were
Charley Mitchell, Jcm Smith, Jack Burke
and Ted Pritchard of England, Jim Cor
bott, Jake Eilrnin, Domipick McCafrrcy,
Mike Cleary, 100 Choynski, Joe McAu-
liifc, Jack Dempsey, Jack McAuliffc, Tom
my Ryan, Billy Smith and George Dixon
of America, Peter jackson, Frank p. Sla-
vim, Joo Goddard, Bob Fitzsimmons jim
Hail. Billy Murphy and Young Critic of
Australia and your humble servant from
tho Green Islo across tho sea.
John l.. Sullivan, indeed, by force of his
example and the boom he gave pugilism.
practically drew forth tho latent talent of
these men. Ho caused n flstic revival such
ms tho world had never sccn before, and
Dan Stuart of the Florida Athletic club,
who is mnpaging tho Dallas carnival, will
glvo greater impetus to tho manly art
than over John l.. did. Boxers will como
from all over the world to participate in
American tournaments, whether those
tournaments be held in Texas or Just
across the border in Mexico. In n minor
degree 1T Will have Il stimulating effect up
on boxing i'll Australia, England and oven
Ireland. Smaller purses, to be sure, will
be offered in those countries for boxers to
contend for, but they will have the effect
of bringing out the best trial horses over
there, and the real champions, the winners
OF hard fought contests, will como over to
America to win or rather to try to win the
real rewards of pugilism.
Tho Dallas carnival WILL am positive,
DO tho greatest event in fstic sport in any
age or i'll any country. 1t would not sur
prise mo particle if it should be produc-
two of n ncw worlds champion. Not that
L underestimate Corbctt ono whit, but I
think Fitzsimmons has good chance of
winning. The Australian is, to DO sure,
considerably lighter than tho Californian
and l y inches shorter, but he Is every bit
as good n ring general as the champion.
quite as shifty, speedy and courageous.
Withal he is tho harder hitter of tho pair,
and in close pinch hitting powers may
turn tho tide of victory. Corbett Is tho
better wrestler, but in u fast and furious
fight wrestling tactics may not avail "a
man much. If Corbett wins, he declares
that he will not fight any other man liv-
ing, save possibly Potter Jackson. Should
t1tz win no announces that no will, after
proper rest, be prepared to fight any man
for tho championship. I wish to declare
myself right here, AS tho sportslnen put it,
HHiNic'Si iiitsit w Ills Will CnulIGnKG MN
right then and there, from tho ring side,
to battle for tho worlds championship,
providing, of course, defeat Steve O'Don-
nell of Australia in our baltic for 90, 600 on
Nov. !. If AIN whipped, of course am
out of the race. will take another chance
in tho meantime If that chance Is afforded
mo.
While in ireland visiting my friends
and relatives l will fight Peter jackson or
any man in England for suitable purse
and stakes before the National Sporting
club of London. All / ask is fair field
and no favor. stood up to Jackson once
in Dublin in a limited round contest, when
was hardly more than u boy, and feel
@S>M,
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