The sun., 1904-06-26
THEY BOX AND KEEP YOUNG.
AN EXHIBITION OF MIKE DONO-
VANS PROWESS AT go.
Thinks Nothing Of Tackling -Four Husky
Youths In Successi0n-Van Slack stali
Teaching Boxing at SS-Judd Has
Been Giving Lessons for Forty Years.

Thinks Nothing Of Tackling -Four Husky
Youths In succession-Vsn Slack Still
Teaching Boxing At ss-Judd Has
Been Giving Lessons for Forty Years.
Mike Donovan, whose hair is now snowy
white, and who might be called old II one
judged him merely by his years, entered
the boxing room Of tho New York Athletic
Club the other afternoon and surveyed
four husky youths under 70 with critical
yet kindly eye. The four youths greeted him
pleasantly, whereupon he took pair OF
boxing gloves and adjusted them.
One OF the youths q six-footer, inquired
Of Donovan whether he would like to take
him on for set.to. Donovan nodded as
sent.
The youth was fast and clever and went
at Donovan with vim and dash. The pair
cavorted all over the room, exchanging
stiff blows and finishing with a mix-up
that would have done credit to well sea-
soned professional pugilists.
The bout lasted about fifteen minutes.
The youth retired putting and exhausted.
with perspiration dripping from his body.
and looking much the worse for wear. On
the other hand Donovan was as fresh and
unperturbed as book agent.
Folding his arms in careless fashion
Donovan awaited the next youth and went
through the same business with almost
similar results When the third mans
turn arrived Donovan was laughing heart
lily.
What is it to be, Jim; roughhouse or a
lawn tennis fete?' the old man inquired
good naturedly.
Anything you like. Mike, as long as you
don't annihilate me- was the quick response.
Mike was very gentle. His blows we're
almost love taps and he danced practically
through the bout.
Once in a while the youth became fresh
and Mike was forced to give him q reminder
or two In the shape Of stin jab or counter.
The fourth and final essay was uninterest-
ing, Donovan's opponent being satisfied
to allow the old man to take the initiative
throughout.
After the session Mike was warmly CON-
graduated BY the quartet. They shook
his hand vigorously, and in almost one
voice, said:
Mike. you are . peach for your age
How do you do iti'
BY not losing my head and remaining
COOL returned Donovan.
Mike Donovan has been boxing instructor
Of the New York Athletic club since 1885,
and the four youths with whom he boxed
are his best pupils. Although In his sixtieth
year. he 10 as vigorous ~ q man half his
age. And In point OF endurance they will
tell you at the club that few are his equals.
Donovan came to the club - the middle
weight chs-apion Of the world, and practi-
cally retired with his title unchallenged.
Donovan does not regard 1t az remarkable
for man Of threesoore years to be able to
beat folks less than half that age with the
gloves. He thinks that anybody who
knows anything about boxing could do the
same thing. provided he led a regular life
and possessed good physique.
Donovan points with pride to the fact that
he Is a mere youngster compared with other
boxing instructors who can still hold their
own in any fair pugilistio company. He
particularly refers to Prof. Van slack. who
y said TO be In his eighty-fifth year.
Van Slack was teaching the manly