The sun., 1904-06-26

art when was q mere kid" said Donovan
to THE Sun reporter. "and is still at 1t
to-day, am tod. He Is strong. hale old
man and as clever a. they make 'em.
But Van Slack never fought In the ring
as some other instructors I know Of. A
person must have some ring experience to
make a successful teacher. The ring IL an
excellent sokool for endurance and gives
you chance to study training methods and
develop speed.
"Van Slack's age has stiflened his joints,
especially his wrists. In some ways this
has made his guard all the more impene-
trable.
.You see In an ordinary person the wrists
are flexible. They must be. because the
wrists and forearm are lighters stock in
trade when it comes to guarding properly.
They tell me that Van Slack can stop a
pretty hard blow by just holding up his
hand and allowing the punch to meet the
hollow Of his palm.
But 1t wouldn't do for an ordinary man
who Is constantly exercising, to have such
stif joints. The chances are that before
long one Of the bones in the wrist would
snap and become useless.
"There is no harm In repeating that boxing
is the greatest indoor exercise In the world.
1t develops the lungs. heart. eyesisht and
every muscle in the body. 1t makes a
person manly and strong.
Il instruct on an average OF from thirty
to thirty-fve pupils daily during the regu-
lar season. or course. have an assistant,
Dan Hickey, who used to be Bob Fitz-
simmons's trainer and sparring partner.
Hickey knows his business. too. And you
can readily see that we are. kept pretty
busy.
@One Of the reasons why an instructor
is able to hold out against his pupils Is that
he never wastes any blows and Is careful
to nurse his ensr y. In this way he does
not spend any unnecessary strength, and
being In fine trim from constant exercise
is able to stave of the most rugged man.
Il have q number OF clever pupils. In
fact many are capable Of holding their
own against any amateur or professional
fighter in the country
About seven years ago Donovan's powers
Of endurance received q genuine test. At
that time his best pupil was Fred VIM
throp.
Winthrop, according to Donovan. was
a perfect specimen OF manhood. hs stood
six feet and weighed In condition It's
pounds. He was an ideal athlete and had
won the middleweight and heavyweight
championships Of Harvard.
Donovan is popular with the professional
pugilists and many seek his advice regard
ing training and the proper delivery OF
effective blows. One day Joe Choynski
OF California came to see Donovan at the
old building OF the club. In Sixth avenue,
and asked for the privilege Of putting on
the mits with Donovans best pupil.
Winthrop was In the room at the time
and Mike introduced him to Choynski.
The latter had match on with Jim Hall
at Maspeth. l.. l.. and said that he wanted
some lively exc rcise.
Winthrop and Choynski me together
for four rounds. The Californian evidently
thought he had q novice before him. and
began to play with his man.
But he soon realized that winthrop was
no neophyte. for the latter cleverly blocked
all his punches and retaliated with some
stiff ones himself
After the bout Choynski complained
Of A pain In his side. He gave 1t no
further thought until he returned to his
training quarters. Then the pain became
40 intense that a physician, had to be sum-
moned.
The doctor diagnosed the injury -