The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-19
FIGHTERS AND POPULARITY.
HOW PUGILISTS KEEP IN GOOD
GRACES or THE PUBLIC.

John l.. Accessible at All TImes-TOm
sharkey Attends Many Social AnaiFs
britt and Jim COrbett Good Talk
ers-Jenhes Pays No FayOrites.
In order 70 be well liked and retain
his popularity a champion pugilist lie
compelled TO do lot Of things that are
distasteful 20 him. He has to meet all Of
his admirers personally, grasp their hands,
help them financially and otherwise when
they need or think they need It, talk on sub
jeots concerning his profession, and other
wise make himself agreeable. And con-
sidering the fact that champion fighters
do a lot Of travelling all over the country
and meet all sorts and conditions Of folks
the task is far from being an easy one.
Many persons wonder why John l.. Sulli-
van Is Just as popular to-day as he was when
IN his prime. The secret Of this may be
summed up in very few words-John L.
was accessible at all times and made 1t his
business 10 minglc with the masses instead
Of the classes. Sullivan spent lot Of
money with a free but impro1dent hand
All Of his exploits in and out Of the roped
arena got into the newspapers, and TO those
who expect a fighter to be liberal he WAS at
once established as hero.
jim Jenries has his own ideas Of taking
the general public into his confidence, II
IL not a difficult task 10 meet the champion.
In fact, he is always at home TO everybody.
But Il 10 in the manner OF greeting his ad-
mirers that he differs from Sullivan. JET
fries as a rule never frequents barrooms
n he can help il. When In town he usually
selects one night during the week TO pay a
visit TO some OF his friends who own saloons.
He visits each in turn and remains about
an hour at each place, spending money
freely. On the other nights he calls upon
friends at their homes, or else remains at
his h otel and enjoys a quiet game Of cards.
When Jeffries was in New York the last
time the president OF a. well known bank
IN this city wished an introduction 10 the
champion. He had his little son with him
and went TO a hotel In Harlem where JEFF
fries registered When the bank president
was ushered into the bOilermAkeT's pres
enoe the fighter was engaged in earnest
conversation with his manager, Billy De-
laney, and few friends.
Il am - Of the - bank said the
man kindly. and would like TO shake your
hand Mr.. Jehries. NY little boy has read
a great deal about you and 10 anxious 10
meet you Jeffres turned around, took
the mans extended hand. smiled at the
boy and without any further ceremony
continu ed his conversation The hank
president, rather Inundated, left the hotel
with his son with a rather poor opinion
OF uRhters IN general.
Jim Corbett IL Just the opposite 10 JEFF.
fries in this respect, Corbett Is an excellent
talker and Is well liked bv the Intelligent
class Of ring patrons Although the ex-
champion has had his day he has no trouble
IN securing engagements at theatres giving
monologues at a salary larger than some
well known stars secure. Corbett n one
81 the few fighters who have tact and diplo.
maov: He invariably caters to persons Of
wealth and rehnenent and Il 10 an estab-
hshed fact that he has entries 10 many
homes where other pugilists could MOI
even break In With jimmy. Corbett mum.
hers among his friends millionaires and
folks OF Influence and pOsiton. When ne
went 20 England. after he defeated Chariis
Mitchell az Jacksonville, Corhett becams
popular with Dukes and Lords and persons