Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-09
PETER YIELDS HIS PEN.
The Irish Champion Picks Fitzsimmons Is
q Winner.

The eyes of the sporting world are CEN
tered on the big fistic carnival which be-
gins in Dallas ON Oct 81 next. That car
nival / venture to predict will start
new era in pugilism. Boxing will be no
longer prescribed, in America at least and
the success the tournament is sure to at
tain will bring forth champions as yet I'M
known to fame. No sturdy fellow of the
right spirit fancies hard work and beggar-
" compensation, and when he hears of
ST, 900 or more being divided among the
winners of three or four short encounters
he will be actually hungering for an OPP
portunity to test his skill and gain the
rich reward of valor.
Before that once Incompatible pugilist
John L. Sullivan entered the lists and
won his way to fame boxing was dead.
There was not a real, live, bona fide cham
pion il America, England, Ireland or Aus
tralia, the four countries of the globe in
which pugilism is distinctive sport The
splendor of the great Bostonian's achieve
ments, however, fired the strong, coura-
aeous men of the world with zeal to emulate
his example. Then sprang up in re-
markably short space of time lot of ear
nest and clever gladiators, all of whom We're
eager to become champion in their respec-
tive classes. Principal among these were
Charley Mitchell, Jcm Smith, Jack Burke
and Ted Pritchard of England, jim Cor
bett, Jake I<ilrain Dominick Mccartney,
Mike Cleary, Joe Choynski, Joe McAu-
life, Jack Dempsey, Jack McAuliffe, Tom
my Ryan, Billy Smith and George Dixon
of America Peter Jackson, Frank p. Sla
vim, Joe Goddard, Bob Fitzsimmons, Jim
Hall, Billy Murphy and Young Critic of
Australia and your humble servant from
the Green Isle across the sea.
John l.. Sullivan, indeed, by force of his
example and the boom he gave pugilism,
practically drew forth the latent talent of
these men. He caused fistic revival such
as the world had never seen before, and
Dan Stuart of the Florida Athletic club,
who is managing the Dallas carnival, will
give greater impetus to the manly art
than ever 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 a minor
degree it will have a stimulating effect up
on boxing in Australia, England and even
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 come over to
America to win or rather to try to win the
real rewards of pugilism.
The Dallas carnival will, am positive,
be the greatest event in fistic sport in any
age or in any country. 1t would not sur
prise me particle if it should be produe-
tive of a new worlds champion. Not that
l underestimate Corbett one whit, but
think Fitzsimmons has good chance Of
winning. The Australian is, to be sure,
| considerably Fighter than the Californian
and z inches shorter, but he is every bit
as good ring general as the champion,
quite as shifty, speedy and courageous.
Withal he is the harder hitter of tho pair,
and in close pinch hitting powers may
turn the tide of victory Corbett is the
better wrestler, but in fast and furious
| fight wrestling tactics may not avail q
man much. If Corbett WINS he declares
| that he will not fight any other man liv
| ing save possibly Peter Jackson. Should
Fitz win he announces that he will, after
| a proper rest, be prepared to fight any man
for the championship. l wish to declare
llySelI flgnG mere, Us lne SpOrtsIltn pun IL.
Whichever man wins will challenge him
right then and there, from the ring side,
to battle for the worlds championship,
providing, of course defeat Steve o. Don
nell of Australia in our battle for IS, 600 on
Nov. l. If l am whipped of course am
out of the race Twill take another chance
in the meantime if that chance is afforded
me.
While in Ireland visiting my friends
and relatives l will fight Peter Jackson or
| any man in England for a suitable purse
and stakes before the National Sporting
club of London All ask is a fair field
and no favor. I stood up to Jackson once
in Dublin in limited round contest when
was hardly more than boy, and feel