The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-25
OPEN TO DISPUTE
Was Sullivan Ever Heavyweight
4, Champion of the World7
MOST OF THE EXPERTS SAY NO
BOstOn Man Never Defeated Mitchell
or Smith, Who Claimed CHAM
i pionship of England

Recently North Dakota subscriber
asked information as to whether John l..
Sullivan was ever heavyweight champion
pugilist of the world. This is one of the
simple looking questions which stir up
trouble whenever they are raised. The
point has been discussed a number of
tines, and never settled to the satistac-
tion of everyone.
The difficulty arises from. the fact that
there is no recognized man or body of men
with power to award championships. Usu-
ally the question admits of little dispute,
but in SulHvans case, while no doubt eX-
lists in the public's mind that he was the
best fighter of his time. the technical
question of the championship admits of
much discussion.
The question SINNERS down to whether
Paddy Ryan was champion of the world,
and that point can orly be decided after
settling the. question whether Joe Goss
possessed the title.
Never Defeated Mitchell.
= Sullivan won the championship by de-
feating Paddy Ryan, who was then recog-
nized as champion of America. At that
time both Charley Mitchell and Jem
Smith claimed the championship of En-
gland. Sullivan never met Smith. and
never defeated MITCHELL, He fought
Mitchell twice, once in France, when the
result was declared draw. Decisions or
points had not then come into vogue, and
the fight was stopped when rain made the
turf So slippery that the fighters could
scarcely keep their feet upon it..
Later Sullivan met Mitchell in New
York, when the English fighter scored a
feat of which few men can boast, that
Of sending Sullivan to~the mat. This fight,
| like the other one, did not go to "a finish.
Sullivan consequently cannot be said to
have won the champion ship unless he won
it from Paddy Ryan.
That naturally carries the question back
to, Joe Goss. Ryan won all the titles held
by Goss, by defeating the latter at St.
Louis. A more detailed description of this
fight was contained in T h e Journa
of two weeks ago. Goss claimed the
championship of the world, on the ground
that Jem Mace, then champion of En-
gland, had defaulted to him. Upon this
point, therefore, must rest Sullivan's
claim to the title Of champion of the
world: In theopirion of most experts,
however, Sullivan was never technically
champion of the world.
~Corbett, who succeeded Sullivan as the
champion of America, won an undisputed
title when he defeated Charley Mitchell
who was then recognized as the British
champion. From him the title passed to
Fitzsimmons when the latter put the
tall Californian out at Carson City five
years ago. and two years later the mantle
descended to Jeffries, when Red Robert
succumbed to him at Coney Island.
Strength VS.. Science.
It will be another battle of strength
and science when Tommy Ryan and Kid
Carter meet at Fort Erie next month for
| the middleweight championship. Ryan
is one of the cleverest, If not the
cleverest men In. the world to-day, KiG
Mccoy and Jim Corbett being the only
men who can class with him in speed ant
skill as boxer. Carter represents the
Sullivan and Jeffries type. Possessing lit
tile science, he is fairly fast, has a goot
punch and can endure lot of punishment
Generally it is safe to pick the sluggel
against the boxer, but Ryan outclasse.
Carter in skill more decidedly than Garter
excels Ryan in strength and hitting pow
er, SO that the contest should be prett.