The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-12
SHORT CAREERS OF FIGHTERS.
Pugilists Who Are "Has Beens" Be-
fore They Are Thirty Years Old.
New York Sun.


New York Sun.
sidered in his prime until after he had
passed thirty, said a veteran follower of
the prize ring recently. Nowadays, how
ever 1T is different A fighter who is still
at the top of his class after his twenty
eighth year is considered a wonder. OF
course. there are exceptions, as in the case
preserved man, and 1t will be many moons
before we find another like him. Fitz is
nearly forty-two. but he can fight as well
Tommy Ryan. Joe Choynski and Joe Wal
colt. Choynski was never champion, but
he is a great pusilist for all that.
Take the old-timers, such as Barney
Aaron. Jem Mace. Dooney Harris and 9TH
ers- They did their best lighting after they
were thirty. Then there were Joe Goddard,
Frank Siavin, the late Peter Jackson, Billy
Ivan was all in SO to speak, before he was
thirty-four. Kid Mccoy is under thirty
and has been forced to retire. because. ac-
fight any more. George Dixon lost the
featherweisht title to Terry McGovern when
he was in his thirtieth year. McGovern,
before he was twenty-five. Pedlar Palmer
won the bantam championship of the world
from Billy Plimmer when he was twenty
and gave way to McGovern four years
later. Although Palmer is twenty-eight he
has been regarded as 'has-been' for some
time. Billy Plimmer was compelled to quit
Kid Lavigne, one of the best lightweights
the arena has produced in the last decade,
was all in before he was twenty mine.
Frank Erne, who succeeded him at the top
of this class, went down before Joe Cans,
the present lightweight champion, In his
twenty-seventh year. and now he has
tired. Jim Corbett was knocked out by
Bob FitZsimmons and lost the heavyweight
championship when he was thirty-one. Tom
Sharkey, although only In his thirtleth
fight with Jim Jeffries, in 1899. Sharkey
always paid the strictest attention to his
health, too. Starlight, the veteran Austria
liam middleweight, who has been the trial
tralian heavyweights, past and present, is
still fighting. Starlight is nearly fifty, but
the youngsters have all they can do to beat
him in decisive fashion.
Harry Forbes, who Is only yOungster,
having been born In 1879, lost the bantam
title 20 frankie Nell a few months ago
Forbes has been fighting ever SINCE 1897.
Jack McAuliffe was not more than thirty
one when he retired. Gus Rubin. who was
born in 1872. is still in the ring, but he has
To sleep by Bob Fitzsimmons three years
ago. Peter Maher has been out of ii for
years, although IN Is still a young man.
He was born in 1865. The Sullivan brothers
Spike and Dave, have been receding in form
for years, yet neither Of them is over
thirty. Kid Mcfarland, of this city. who
vas expected to fill Kid Lavigne's shoes
some day, has retired from the ring Nc
Partland was born in 1875, but he was
forced TO quit boxing a year ago, when he
was knocked out by Joe Cans
THE method of modern pugilists in train
ing and looking after their health is differ
ent from that which the old-tinlers used
to undergo. Present-day scrappers make
twice as much money as some OF the cham
pions did in the past, and they live only
TODAY