The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-02
Spike Wants to Be
the Lightweight
Champion.
A MANLY STATEMENT ISSUED.
Claims First Right to Meet
the Winner of the Erne-
O'Brien Fight.

Spike Sullivan, who gave Worcester
sporting men a favorable impression
of his managerial abilities in fistiC
evens several MONTHS ago, when he
spent several weeks in this city look
ing after the interests of his protege
Patsy Sweeney, when the latter was
matched with Jack Lawler is after the
lightweight championship. He writes
the sporting editor of The Spy, re-
questing the publication of copy OF
his challenge to the winner of the
Erne-O' Brien bout in New York, Mon
day, when the lightweight champion
ship is to be decided. Sullivan's letter
and copy of challenge are as follows;
My Dear Sir-The enclosed is a dupli
cate copy of my challenge to the win
ner of the Frank Erne-Jack o BrieE
contest.
l am determined to force the winner
to meet me for the lightweight cham
pionship of the world.
AS my challenge is a proper and legtt-
innate one, beg your assistance to de-
mand for me what my challenge con-
tains.
Neither Erne nor O. Brien has the
want of reputation, as my record Of
performances shines more brilliantly
than theirs or any other lightweight
pugilist before the public today
! demand the first match with the
winner of the Erne-O' Brien contest of
December 4th, or whichever will be
champion after that date; if any other
lightweight boxer or boxers dispute my
demand, l am ready to settle the dis
pute by a contest with him or them.
l understand that Joe Cans claims
first contest with the winner of the
lightweight championship battle of
December 4th. l dispute his claim as
he deliberately refused to meet me
after we had agreed on terms of the
articles which l signed, to take place
at the LenoX A. C., about month ago.
To explain to the followers of boxing,
If Cans has a right to a match with
the winner of the ErneO' Brien con-
test prior to me. l stand ready to sign
for contest with Cans, and the result
will explain which of us has a right of
first match.
Again I ask you for your kind assist
ance in reference to my challenge, per
enclosed, and explain to the interested
followers of boxing all fairness due me.
By doing so you will greatly oblige,
Very sincerely yours
VIM. C'spike'O Sullivan.
Al Smith, Esq, Gilsey House, New
Dear Sir-I hereby deposit with you
the sum of one thousand $4,000 dollars
III support OIL my Cndllenge TO meet the
winner of the Frank Erne-Jack O'Brien
contest for the lightweight champion
ship of the world.
Conditions as follows:
Ftrst-The contest to be one of not
less than twenty-five (25) rounds, to a
decision, according to Marquis of
Queensbery' rules.
Second-The weight to be one hum
dred and thirty-three C133) pounds time
OF weighing to be agreed upon on sign
ing articles.
Third-The contest to be for any part
of five thousand (S5000) dollars a side
and the best purse offered.
Fourth-The best inducement to be
accepted within six go weeks from date
of acceptance of this challenge.
Ftfuh-The contest to take place not
earlier than three go weeks or not
later than three 90 months from date
of signing articles
SiXth-The referee to be mutually
agreed upon on the acceptance of an
offer.
Seventh-If this challenge is not ac-
cepted before the fifteenth Q5th) day
of January, 1900, by the winner Of the
Frank Erne-Jack O'Brien contest. or
whichever is champion after their con-
test on December 4th, I will claim the
lightweight championship of the world,
and defend it against all Corners. ac-
cording to these conditions by which 1
will claim 1t.
(Signed) VIM. ("Spike') Sullivan.