The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-19

Of noble birth They took to him and
made much Of him.
George Dixon, when he was champion,
was rather reserved toward strangers.
He permitted his manag ger to do all the
talking and never spoke unless he was first
addressed. Dixon was well liked because
Of this natural reserve He realized that
he was a negro and that there existed
prejudice because Of his color. When
among friends Dixon was open hearted
and talked freely. But he always RETAINED
from discu sing anything appertaining
Young Corbett made it a rule when he
was champion TO mingle with certain
class Of persons mostly actors and book
makers. He neglected the men in his
own profession. Corbett when in New
York seldom ventured further than a
certain hotel on Broadway, except when
he visited the racetracks. He never
honored the Bowery with his presence
unless he had TO appear at one OF the
theatres there.
Terry McGovern owes his popularity
to-day to the fact that he was just the
reverse Of the Denver man IN his actions
toward his admirers. Though Terry has
met several reverses in the ring OF late,
he can attract a paying house any time
he appears on the stage. McGoveTn likes
20 mingle with those younger than him
self especially newsboys; and in Brooklyn
where he was born, II IL no unusual sight
TO see McGovem playing tag, prisoner 3
base or marbles. Terry Is always natural,
in or out Of the ring
Bob Fitzsinmons Is backward In making
new friends. He owes his popularity
mostly to the fact that he IL a great fighter.
Fitz's greatest hobby is to mingls with
mechanics or laboring men. The Cornish
man IL a blacksmith by trade, and during
his leisure hours he visits some Of the shops
and turns out a couple Of pair OF horseshoes
as q sort Of diversion.
Jack O'Brisn keeps his popularity hot
by fighting often and mingling with per-
sons In professions quite apart from his
own, O'Brien Is studying 70 become a
lawyer and whenever he comes TO New
York or visits any other city he invariably
calls at the offioe Of some prominent law
firm and discusses legal matters. O'Brien
IL business man TO the core and II does not
take him long to make an impression.
Tom Sharkey has his own ideas Of how
70 remain popular, and thus far his methods
have been successful. Sharkey IA liberal
when II comes 10 offering his services for
charity or otherwise. He receives many
invitations 20 balls, stag parties and social
affairs, and IL he can spare the time takes
them all In. In this way he succeeds In
kee ping his name before the public and
makes new and influential friends. Sharkey
Is an interesting talEer In his own way.
He used to be a sailor and has seen the
world. He accordingly knows how TO adapt
himself to conditions other which pugilists
cannot meet. He Is a business man and
realizes that he must keep In the limelight
In all probability Joe Choynski's popu-
larity will remain intact as long as he lives.
Choynsi Ia a member Of several lodges,
il a thorough family man and admits that
he Ia a fighter simply for the money there
Il In IL. Choynsld r. one Of the few pugilists
who can command ready cash at any time.
| He Is the first one 10 give his opponent
| all the credit after a defeat and is Just as
accessible to strangers as TO friends.
Tommy Ryan hardly hobnobs with any
/ one unless he has known him for long
! period. As he does not visit barroofns,
! his friends are those who have had formal
/ introduction and those whom no knows
| something about. Ryan Is taciturn at
| tines but becomes laxative when his own
| ability h questioned Frank EIns Il as
popular to-day as when he was the light
/ weight champion OF the world. Erne Il
/ Of the Jim Corbett stamp In point Of intclli-
1 gsnoe, but apparently more sincere. he
! dresses well, Il a good talker and prides
! himself on the fact that his first duty Is
| to his home. Erne since he left the ring
/ he has enGaged In various business enter
| prises He has personal magnetism, and
| once he makes friends he keeps them.
Jimmy Britt in methods, department
and conversation reminds one Of Jim Cor.
bett AZ first meeting. He is polished and
! pugillsts who will make Il his business 10
! form the acquaintance Of the one whom
! he thinks will do him the most good.
! Joe Cans Is like George Dixon reserved
and cautious in forming new friends Cans
! thinks that Il IL a fighters policy TO remain
In the background az all times, save In the
ring. Most Of Gans's friends are white
AZ Herford' The pair are together mos