The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-27
SPORTING news.
Interesting History OF Mike
Donovan Is Given.
Now the Boxing Partner OF
President Roosevelt.
RELATED BY A PUPIL
Had to Go in the Ring and Fight
for His Job.
LIS a Competent and a Conscien-
tlOus Worker.

Cincinnati. Jan. 27.-rhe Enquirer
says;
Prof. Mike Donovan, who enjoys the
honor of being the boxing teacher OF
President Roosevelt, and who has just
returned to New York City after a
visit to the White House, was in a
manner responsible for jim Corbett be-
coming the champion pugilist Of the
world It was Donovan who secured
backing for Corbett to fight Sullivan
at New Orleans n had the pleasure
of seeing Corbett cone home with $45,-
600, which was the winners share in
that memorable fight.
Prof. Donovan is a most remarkable
man." said Mike Conley. the we'll
known heavy weight boxer, in The En-
quirer Office last night. 1T was he who
gave me my first lesson in boxing. and
although 1 have not seen him for over
10 years, l have. never forgotten the
kindness he showed me in my early
career. He Is not only a competent
boxer, but is consideration about his
work and you can bet that the presi-
dent knew what he was about when he
selected Mike to spar with him.. Dono-
van has been boxing instructor at the
New Athletic club ever since 1885,
and how he came to get that position
Is an interesting story. Just about the
tllAtG liz NEW 4OEh AllilCLlC LUZ o.
known that the organization would APP
point a boxing instructor Walter wat
son arrived in this country from Eng
land, with the reputation OF being q
very clever boxer. was a can
didate for the New York Athletic club
position and so was Watson. Consid-
cradle feeling was manifested by the
friends of the two men. and as a result
a ring contest was arranged Donovan
and Watson came together and the
EnuNiEhman had RI lower his cOI0FS to
Mike, who was then a slashing good
middle weight. a how Donovan
got the job and he has held it down
with credit ever since.
After being defeated by Donovan,
Watson went to the Pacific coast, where
he was engaged as instructor at the
famous Olympic Athletic club, which
turned out some great fighters in days
gone by. 1t was Prof. Watson who put
Jim COrbett to the front and made q
successful fighter out of him. 1t seems
strange, but it is nevertheless true,
that Donovan secured h packing for
the pupil Of the man he had whipped
and sat in COrbett'S- corner when the
latter won over Sullivan. Another
peculiar angle to the story is that Cor
bett afterward took Watson's job as
physical culture .4uinstructor at the
OIympi club. Watson started a saloon
on the Pacific coast and is still in FRS
co and l think a member of the
Olympic club.
Mike Donovan was born in what is
now the city of Chicago His brother
Jerry was one of the most sought after
men in the days of bare-knuckle lights
In those days the man who had the
best second generally came out on top
in the milling. Jerry is still alive and
lives in New York state He and Mike
used to work on the Erie canal togeth-
er. They are bOatcorkers by trade.
Mike Donovan fought around St Louis
before going east and won a number of
battles. I believe, however, that his
contest with Watson was the only one
that he ever engaged in under the
a MARQUIS of Oueensberry rules"