The Indianapolis journal., 1904-03-13
BOXERS
ARE A THRIFTY BUNCH
During Days of John L. Sullivan
Barroom Loafers Helped to
Spend the Money.
THOSE WHO HAVE SAVED

There have been changes in the ring since
the late eighties. when John l.. Sullivan held
full sway. But it is doubtful If any more
striking change has taken place than the
attitude of fighters towards this same
money question.
When Sullivan won a fight, wine and
booze generally flowed like water in his
neighborhood so long as the money lasted.
No man was too obscure to lack an invita-
tion to drink at John LIS expense. After
he had played host for a time. it frequently
pleased him to throw the bartender out of
doors and get behind the bar himself. This
was accepted as part of the routine, how
ever. and when John l.. did any damage
to the fixtures, he generally settled up the
next day-if he had any money left.
This gave his supporters many chances
to talk about his generous impulses, his
free-handedness. and so on. But that it
hurt the fighting game, and hurt it badly,
cannot be denied.
1t resulted in John l.. having a following
of deadbeats and saloon loungers such as
no pugilst has had thereafter. all hanging
about the champion in the expectation of
free drinks. To such an extent was his
policy followed that many sporting men
seemed to judge fighters popularity by
the number of these hangers-on who at
tached themselves TO the tail of his kite.
When Jim Corbett defeated Sullivan and
refused TO burden himself with a gang of
these loafers ii actually hurt him in the
estimation of many followers of the game,
who believed that he ought to have fol-
lowed the precedent set by Sullivan
though exactly why he should do they
could not explain themselves
Nearly all the big money makers of
that day spent thier money as fast as they
got it-save Tommy Ryan, George Dixon,
Jack McAuliffe, Jack Dempsey-all were
smltten with the idea that Il was neces-
sary to rid themselves of money as though
Nowadays, the contrast is strong indeed.
Many of the leading lighters have enough
put by to insure them a comfortable liv-
ing when they leave the fighting game.
Tommy Ryan and Jack O'Brien are cred
tied with the possession of $4,000 each.
Jim Jeffries Is said TO be worth this sum
and $4,000 I'm addition. Terry McGovern
is credited with close TO 100000. Jim Cor
bett may not have any very large sums
stored away, but there is "A general belief
that he has put enough money by TO start
him in any line of business he may de-
sire to enter.
Joe Walcott and Joe Cans each owns
his own home and has some little money
put by. Walcott is said to have several
thousand dollars. Cans is credited with
about S,700. Dave Sullivan and Spike Sui
livan are known TO have put several thou
sand dollars away apiece and each owns
his own home. Fitzsimmons was worth a
considerable sum at one time but his exact
means to-day unknown.
None OF the bantams seem to have much
In spite of Attelrs frequent victories. he is
said TO have absolutely nothing. Forbes
had some little money and owned a road
house near Chicago a short time ago, but he
Is not known to have anything to-day
Neil has not yet saved much. although he is
said TO be of a thrifty disposition, and
Regan has not yet begun to accumulate his
pile
Still. the showing made by the leading
members of the profession is enough tC
show the contrast which exists between
the old days of the ring and the present
time-and the change is for the bettering
Of the sport.