The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-12
Copyrighted, 1896.

English light weight when he was in his
prime, and the inference is that, fit and
well, he can whip me. He is welcome 10
MS opinion No fighter amounts 10 any
thing who has not the utmost seIf-reii-
ance- Confidence Is more than half the
battle ! viii say this, however l may
De no Carney, as Jack says, but ] have
the temerity 10 go up against his conquer
or, DICK Burge, who is accounted the most
wonderful pugilist in England. Burge has
not only beaten all the light weights, but
all the welter weights as well, and some
middle weights in the bargain. Why il
was only Few months ago when he had
Inc nerve to tackle Jem Smith, the heavy
weight champion of England. who fought
a four-hour draw with Jake Kilrain for
me worlds championship some years ago.
L ne big chap whipped the little one after
nard battle Of nine rounds. Burge will
weigh fully twelve pounds more than /
Wnen we enter the ring, and he is three or
aou5 !hcnes taller Friends have endeav-
oIeu 10 keep me from meeting him. say
ing that he is far too big for me and that
should not JeOpardiZe my reputation or
ny friends money. But l am not built
mat way. Nothing Ventured, nothing
won" is my motto. Most people thought
had no chance with Joe Walcott the ter
f sf.te black Demon yet | whipped him in
HIteen rounds, and would have put him
completely out in two or three more
Nalcott mad been touring the country with
george DIXON, knocking out middle
Mel5hts ana heaVy weights Walcott al
though only five feet one inch i'm hight
as big around the chest as
John L. sullivan, and has arms as pithy
ds most mems legs. Jack McAuliffe
uouSed him, as he also did the English
man; He thought they were too big, The
oia Coney Island Athletic Club offered a
stV,VVo purse Tor the pair to fight for but
the moment Jack caught sight of the
EhSllshman, who lowered above him three
lncnes or more, he insisted upon fighting
at the lightweight limit 1873 pounds Burge
could not make the weight and the forty
thousand cleaning dollars faded from
tneir sight. would like to get such an
opportunity. l would take a chance
ey. u iiioi
I am bold enough to think that I can
qefeat McAuliffe, and I believe that / will
have good chance with Burge. / must
eoncede weight, else 1 could not get the
nght. L agree to let him weigh in at
Loo LOO, seven hours before the contest, which
pracucally means IA or AS pounds l will
not weigh more than 1873, as any super-
Hqous flesh would be detrimental to me
HOW DO | intend to fight Burge, and how
McAuliHe? Both in the same way, viz.
90 at them in John L. Sulivan's old style
win Burge especially, l shall have to
make the pace and depend for the most
part on inhghting. His superior reach and
night will compel that; | can't stand or
ana box at long range with him. of
course, expect to be punished fearfully,
put II get 10 his ribs and stomach-and
Ihlnk can, clever as he undoubtedly is
Il believe the battle will be mine There
may De stages of the game when 1 shall
or spar for wind" as it is technicaIIv
termed; but may be depended upon to
wheel and get back" Unexpectedly, lust
as | did with Walcott when his partisans
thought he had me on the run
should win with Burge will take on
McAuliffe or any lightweight breathing.
may II can't do better, take on another
pig fellow of 1873 pounds or there about.
l nave done that already. 1 fought and
defeated Jack Everhardt, a strapping bi9
fellow, almost as large as Tommy RYAN
l hope to retire lightweight champion Of
the world, but that won't be for three or
four years yet. When l do, 1 shall go TO
my home in Saginaw, Mich, and try to
become whole or part proprietor of a iunn-
Der yard; for was brought up in the lum-
per business and understand it from A 10
u. George LaVigne