The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-16
TIMELY BOXING TAIN.
Excuses Pugilists Oner to Avoid Matches
Arc Many.

Some pugilists 10 order 10 avoid matches
with prospective opponents. oIer Narlous
excuses, The most popular seems TO be the
rest gag which invariably works like charm
The excuse habit ia usually prevalent among
the champions. although the second and third
raters indulge in the practice occasionally
Years ago the fighter who would try 10 avoid
a bout with a rival on some Aimsy protest
would be looked upon as coward Mess
hls excuse was an exceptionally good one
he would Immediately come IN for conaidern-
be adverse comment and u he continued 10
viggie out OF matches he would De altogether
ostracix'd o. his brother professionals
Accordh 20 an uuwritten law ~ nstic
circles a chnrpton should Sight as often as
he can get suitable antagonists and tho oppor.
tunity to hold thee bouts presents itself
Now. however. any pug.ist at the head OF
his class Nho engages ia mills in public more
than four times year ], regarded as a freak.
Among the 6ig men tho rest cure IL cytremely
popular. They seem 20 think TINT to battle
too often IL not good for their nerves and
health HeavyweIghts "a a rule do not flght
more than twice year. Some do not try
their SKIN against rivals a. much "a once iu
two or three years and imagine that az this
rate they are doing too much gruelling alto
gcther
Jim Jenries however, is an exception.
The boicriuaKer would be Wnllng TO show
hc Nas not always 80 wiling. not because ne
Is in any way afraid. but because he does not
ike the idea of training some syIupp"is
look upon training the worst hardship IA
the world. II they could fight without pre-
pairing they would do so often enough to
please their critics. but il Is the strain and
monotony of the preliminary Work thnt they
fear most.
When jim corbett was champion he c.stoh--
lishpd q precedent by lighting whom IN just
suited his fancy H. WIS imperyion-, aI-
larcntly. TO public opinion and ettn' from
Tho press all over tie country II cannot pe
stia th1t Corbett is laly Tor when Norkng
for nght he d, very conscientious. ht
won the title from John l., sullivan IN 1872,
fought Charlie Mitchell in 1894 and lost ms
lRLr. |, TO Bob Fitzsiminous at larson tity.
Ney.. 10 1897. lie fought lust twice IN ave
years Tor his title
Rob Fitzsimmons's record in this respect
was no better Fitz waved on an chat
lengors between 1897 and isl1 and consented
ouy 20 meet jim Icnrics IN IN" spnlWrr OF
that year M COuey lsund Probably RITZ
Willingness to give Jehres mitch may
have been due TO the fact that 40 th1t time
III, Champion was not the dangerous and
developed boxer he j. to-day since Jc0rie7
became champion MP TO nov ne haH met
.lm torbett. tt2Simnous and JACK Nlunroe
undoubtedly have increased lhia list were
there any more men Tor him 10 oouglrr
Most Jane j wh be y wears since J'rres
became the hpavYwelgh t champion, ana his
record ia certainly brilliant onH.
As soon as a scrappcr aitains prominenCr
he does not care TO risk his reputation. II"
mont as IL possible Hut George Dixon.
who was featherWciRht champion Tor over
ten Years fought more times han any premier
tighter m hs'ic history DiNonS palu's
uyera god 20 bout feu wear not Including
number Of four round eNuibi ION bouts wni"
touring the country Terry heHof'ru
showed an inclination not to remain inactive
when be WAS ON top, but in later wears ne
has not boxed with frc1nency. Terry. Ike
manv or his predecessors has become en-
aWOrod 81 the stage ana would rather APPEAR
behind the iUotiigAts than 10 the ring hi7
falling is a natural one, when q Is inScn into
consideration that stage bouts do not involve
much training and the money EeArned much
easier.
Joe Cans har not been afrail 10 1Rht when
called upon Ne h7s tackled al those who
have had tho tcInerity 20 challenge HIM and
back up their demands for Il batt' Win
htri cash Jimmy Britt. however, Is a dlI-
ferent proposition. Britt invariably asks
90 be ALLOW ed to tahe u vacation after an I'M
rort1nt N counter and usually COTS away wen
IL Battling Nelson has been seen iu The Ia i.
during 1904 about seven times Sut Nelson
wa, prorutcd to pat on thu gloves because
~. vas after a title Probably d Nelson
reaches the head oil his division h. viii be-
come as sluggish in tho way OF arranging
mntches ne some OF his rivals Nelsou,
however likes 10 fight. so !. ever he should
succeed Joe Cans hc may DO Wiling 10 take
on all corners q { an average OF month apart.
ono fighter y ho Is wiling to mix il up When
ever he can is Jack O'Brien OF Philadelphia
O'Trirn IS after the long green and h3S no
trouble IN getting it WheN bee Sights.