The sun., 1903-12-13
THE pUGILlST AND The PUPIL.
FIGHTERS WHO HAVE DEFEATED
Instructors AND VICE VERSA.
Peter JacksOn's Mill with Paddy Slayin
How Jim COrbett Developed Jim
JefTries's Future Ring Career-GeOrge
DixOn's Experience With Joe Walcott.


Peter jackson, the Australian heavy
weight pugilist. once said that the master
was the thing, no matter what the pupil
may have been" jackson made this re-
mark Just before he went to England to
fight Paddy Slavin in 1902. Slavin " as once
pupil of Jackson's, and was regarded as
one of the best Of the big men that Australia
turned out up to that time. Jackson knew
this, and when some one hinted that Slavin
would probably whip him, the big negro
replied in his usual decisive f. ihion:
Il taught him all he knows, but not every
thing know. If he has acquired further
knowledge, so much the better. But
feel confident that will meet him on more
than equal terms. If he heats me he is
the better man. and will take my hat
Off to him. If he doesn't, it will prove that
am still master and he Is simply the pupil
jackson and Savin put up one of the best
battles ever decided before the National
Sporting Club. Ten hard rounds were
fought The skill was on Jacksons side,
and science conquered. In the tenth
Savin was knocked out Slavin had only
" ords of praise for his conque ror, and often
remarked: He is the daddy Of them all
and is still my master"
But the theory of the master exoeling
the pupil has been reversed many times
since that mill. The most recent instance
was the case of jim Jeffrics and Jim Corbett.
In 1897, when Corbett, then the champion
heavyweight of the world, was matched
to meet Bob Fitzsimmons at Carson City,
he needed the services Of sparring partner.
Billy Delaney, who was Corbett's trainer
tried several ambitious youths, but few
of them were able to stand before Corbett
and give him any kind of fight. Delaney
was willing to pay them good salary,
but they we're not satisfied to take punch
ing, and quit after few days.
About that time Delaney heard OF the
advent in San Francisco of big, robust
heavyweight. The fellow was Jim Jefiries.
Jeffries had gone to San Francisco from
his home, Los Angeles, in search of job
at his trade of boiernaker. Jeffries had
letter of Introduction to California
sporting man. The latter had seen Jeffres
box at Los Angeles and asked the present
champion if he wanted a match
Not exactly" said Jeffres. I'm look
ing for work But if l can get anything
to do at the game will not throw It over
my shoulder. Do you know of anybody
who is looking for a fght?"
The sporting man said that he could secure
Jefries position as sparring partner with
jim Corbett Jeffries was satisfied, and
few days later Jeffries was on his way to
the Corbett camp. Delaney liked Jeffries's
appearance. and he was employed on the
spot. He was raw one at the time, but
as strong as an OK. Corbett showed nm
a number of tricks. and Jeffries, being apt,
was the stepping stone to Jeffries S success
in the ring.
Tommy Ryan. who has had a great deal
to do with the successful careers of boxers,
taught Kid Mccoy almost all the latter knows
about the game Several years ago Ryan
and discovered Mccoy. Mccoy had been
fighting in the West for years. but was not
the finished pugilist he was when he was
near the front ranks Ryan took pains
some future date he would be called upon
to meet his pupil and suffer the humiliation
of defeat. But he did and was knocked
out The fight took place at Maspeth in
Ma rch. 1896 1t was McCoy's first impor-
tant fight, and the victory made his repu-
tation.
Jim Hall is credited with having given
Bob Fitzsimmons number Of pointers on
how to mill properly. Hall and Fitzsim-
mons were companions in the early sos
other Australian cities. One day they had
a falling out, and Fitzsimmons cha llenged
his mentor. The meeting took place in
sydney in February, 1890. The records
say that Fitz lost the contest in four rounds.
The Cornish,nan has since said that he Fitz-
simmons) laid down" to Hall for a con-
sideration Hall declares that the scrap
was genuine and that he whipped Bob on
his merits,
Fitz and Hall came together again at
New Orleans in 1893. Hall did well in that
fight for a few rounds, but in the fourth
Fitzsimmons caught him squarely on the
jaw, and Hall was put to sleep.
George Dixon did considerable toward
flrthering Joe Walcott's career. When
Dixon was ira yelling about the country
meeting all corners he was in need of a
sparring mate, and Walcott got the job
for while. Walcctt, who was much
hea vier thon Dixon, learned a lot from his
connection with Dixon, for the latter spent
several hours a week instructing Walcott.
Walcott soon became an adept. Then
Walcott thought that he could whip the ex-
featherweight champion, and he told
Dixon so. The result was dispute which
made the pair bitter enemies.
One day Dixon gave Walcott an oppor-
tunty to test his skill. The chance came
in private four round bout in local gym
nasim. 1t is said that Dixon gave Walcott
a walloping, and although he did not knock
his heavier opponent out easily demon
strated that he was the master 1t Is UNDER
stood that Walcott never disputed DiXons
superiority after that.