The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-07-23
THEY BOX AND KEEP YOUNG.
An Exhibition of Mike DOnOvan's
PrOwess at 80.
From the New York Sun.

Mike Donovan, whose hair is now
snowy white, and who might be called
old if one judged him merely by his
years, entered the boxing room of the
New York Athletic Club the other
afternoon and surveyed four husky
youths under 20 with a critical vet
kindly eye. The four youths greeted
him pleasantly, whereupon he took
pair of boxing gloves and adjusted
them.
One of the youths, a six-footer.
inquired of Donovan whether he would
like to take him on for a set-to. Dono-
van nodded assent.
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 seasoned professional
pugilists.
The bout lasted about fifteen min
utes. The youth retired putting ana
exhausted, with perspiration dripping
trom 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 fash
ION Donovan awaited the next youth
and went through the same business
with almost similar results. When the
third mans turn arrived Donovan was
laughing heartily.
What is it to be. Jim; roughbousa
or 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
were 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
reminder or two in the shape of a
stiff jab or counter.
The fourth and final essay was untn-
teresting, Donovan's opponent being
satisfied TO allow the old man TO take
the initiative throughout.
After the session Mike was warmly
congratulated by the quartette. They
shook his hand vigorously, and in al
most one voice, said:
Mike, you are a peach for vour a get
How do you 90 it2''
BY not losing my head and remain
ing cool. returned Donovan.
Mike Donovan has been boxing in
structor of the New York Athletic Club
since 1855. and the four youths with
whom he boxed are his best pupils.
Although in his Goth year, he is as Wig
oiOuS as man ndlI MS age. And In
point of endurance they will tell You
at the club that few are his EQUALS.
Donovan came To the club as the mid
dleweight champion of the world and
practically retired with his title un-
challenged.
Donovan does not regard il as re-
markable for man of three score
years to be able TO beat folks less than
hall that age with the gloves. He
thinks that anybody who knows any
thing about boxing could do the same
thing. provided he led a regular life
and possessed a good physique.
Donovan points with pride to the
fact that he is a mere youngster COM
pared with other boxing instructors
who can still hold their own in any fair
pugilistic company He particularly
refers to Prof. Van Slack. who is said
to be IN his S5th year.
Van Slack was teaching the manly
art when ! was "a mere kid" said Dom
ovan to the Sun reporter "and Is still
az II to-day ] am told. He Is q strong.
hale old man and as clever as they
make EN-.
But Van Slack never fought in the