Waterbury Democrat., 1902-04-12
FIGHTS AND FIGHTERS.
Letters Which Explain the Con-
 ing Contests in This City.


 o'Brien Does Good Work With Joe
 Walcott and Stays the Limit-Kid
 Broad Succumbs to Attell-Other
 Fighting News.
 So many people have asked the ques- tion as to whether the principals in the coming boxing tournament had put up their forfeits or whether it was all pure bluff that the following letter from Harry Beecher, the sporting editor of the New York Journal, will be inter- esting:
 New York Journal, April Il, 02. Ed Ma1oney, Esq, the Democrat, Wa
 terbury, Conn:
 Dear Sir: I have been asked by MT Crowley of Hartford to notify you that hold two hundred dollars (S200) for feits for Sullivan and Rice. One hun- dred is for appearance and the other for weight. Yours truly,
 HARRY BEECHER, Sport Ed.
 The other forfeits are in the hands of William L. Crowley, whose word is just as good as his bond. The forfeits would have been placed in Waterbury had Mir Crowley known that this was the way in which all contests have been brought off here before. He has always made his big matches in New York and there the money has been de posted, but that will have no effect on the attendance, for the following letter will explain how one of the prIn- cipals is preparing for the match and what crowd he will bring with him when the time arrives next Thursday night:
 New London, April 10, 1902. Sporting Editor Waterbury Democrat,
 Waterbury, Conn:
 Dear Sir: Austin Rice, who is to meet Dave Sullivan at Waterbury on April IT, under the auspices of ". L. Crowley's club, is in active training in this city. He has the assistance of local boxers. and this week it Is ex- pected that Tim Kearns will come mp from New York and assist in the final work for what promises to be one of the most important bouts in Rice's ca reer. Although easily defeating Tim Callahan. Rice feels that Sullivan will be an opponent worthy of his best ef- forts. Rice is giving weight to Sulli- van. The New London boxer weighs now about 126 pounds and will not go into the ring any heavier. while Sulli- van will have the advantage of several pounds.
 Rice has received assurance from the manager of the biggest club in Chicago that should he beat Sullivan a match is awaiting him in the Windy city with Young Corbett. With victory over Sullivan. Rice may go out and demand a match with McGovern, which has been the one desire of his life for the pats two years. Although McGovarn has secured a decision over Rice in fourteen rounds the latter feels that he could get at least a draw at the present time and that the chances of winning over the ex-champion are of the best. With the knowledge that victory over Sullivan means a world Tor him. Rice will go to Waterbury in as me condition as he ever did in his lire. He will bring with him train load of rooters. who will cheer him on to victory. Sincerely.
 RICE'S MANAGER.
 Austin Rice. that little bundle of muscular activity, has the most re. markable record of latter-day pugiI- 1sts. He has engaged in something like 12o contests. and, though he has not won them all, the followers of the game, had they bet their money on this lad for drawn battle or better. would have come out in the van of any performer. with possibly a single ex- ceptlon, McGovern. Then Rice has always been there when the gong sounded. has lived up to every line of his agreements and his word is as good as forfeit. Rice is modest almost retiring, and fight talk isn't in his repertoire.-Sporting Editor New London Day.
 Philadelphia, April 12-By his clev- erness afoot and a strict adherence to defensive tactics, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien almost evened up Joe Wal cott's harder hitting ability and ag- gressiveness in the wind-up at the Tn- dustrial club last night. It was evil dent from the beginning of hostilities that O'Brien proposed making a de- fensive bout of it. That was the in struction of his mentor and the wis dom of it was apparent as the bout progressed.
 WdicOLL never once DrOk0 STOuIll. He was always after O'Brien and got many a left-handed jab in the face for his trouble. but the jabs did not seem to disconcert him in the least. He appeared to be willing to take them for the purpose of getting in a stiff body punch in return. O'Briens right-handed punches on the body, however, did count, being generally landed with the full weight of O'Brien's body behind them.
 Walcott paid the bulk of his atten- ton to O'Brien's body. only sending in a straight left to the face occasionally and rarely trying a right-handed swing for the head. It was great exhibition from a spectacular point of view, and was complete vindication of all the extravagant things that have been said of O'Brfen's cleverness.
 walcott was in splendid condition and resorted to every trick of the trade in order to drop O'Brien, but the latter either blocked or ducked away from danger. After the bout Walcott de clared that he was in no shape. Oth- erwise there would have been nothing