The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-08-24
JOHN |. TALKS
OF OLDEN DAYS
ONCE GREAT KING OF FIGHTERS
GIVES OUT CES
THE KILRAIN FIGHT.

bare-fist prize-fight in the world.
Long will that battle linger in the
memory of Americans. For seventy
five long rounds these two warriors
of the ring hammered at each other,
and the mighty John L., the pride OF
America, was the victor.
That was one of Americas most
famous prize-ring battles. Our faith
ers remember it well, and many of
the middle-aged men of today can
remember the newspaper accounts of
the big battle.
John l.. Sullivan was eating break
fast in his room on the fifth floor OF
the Knutsford hotel the other morn
ing when he told of early days in the
ring and gave his views on the fight
ing game of today. He was attlred
in a delicate suit of white silk lin
gerie, which waved as the breezes
blew in the windows from two direc-
tions. 4E
He ate like a man who lived to eat.
In front of him were the rinds of a
cantaloupe, for the once great tighter
had eaten all the juicy meat. He
was making big whitefish look like
skeleton. Several pieces of toast
went the route in quick succession,
followed by cup of Java"
John l.. Sullivan finished, and
viewed the scene of his conquest with
supreme satisfaction as he leaned
back lazily in his chair, gave the
breezes a better chance at his white
silk lingerie, filled his meerschaum
pipe with plug-cut tobacco and start
ed to talk.
There was the look of contentment
all over the famous gadiator's face.
He talked of everything he could
think of before he was led into dis
cussion of the prize ring.
Yes; | remember that last battle
with Kirain mighty WE'LL" he said,
as he held his pipe in his right hand
and looked thoughtfully at the floor
for several seconds, as if living over
the scenes that stirred our fathers to
such excitement years ago.
ut was the last big battle in the
ring with bare fists" he continued.
Jake Kilrain and l fought for seven
ty-five rounds at Richburg. That
was one of the hardest struggles of
L
rain a pretty hard fight.
It was only three years and two
months later that the conqueror of
Kilrain met James j. Corbett and
lost his laurels to the smart Aleck"
from California.
The younger ones of today can re-
member that battle. 1t was in New
Orleans September Z, 1892. The
country had begun to look upon the
mighty John l.. as the invincible
champion. He was the popular idol,
and when the slender James J. Cor
| bett announced that he would meet
the world-beater, many of our fathers
laughed with scorn and shook their
heads. Sullivan then was "a years
old. Corbett was only 26. The two
men had met the year before in a
four-round exhibition bout, and the
ambitious young Californian had
made up his mind that the days of
greatness were slipping away from
the Boston Strong Boy"
That fight in New Orleans lasted
twenty-one rounds, and Corbett won.
Thousands of dollars changed hands
on the result Corbett became rich
ON that one victory. Our fathers who
| figured that John L. could not be
whipped backed their judgment with
their money, and felt a pang of sor-
row as they saw their idol of the
ring laid low in defeat by the young
ster from the Golden West.
Then Corbett was the favorite of
the public for awhile. He was ban
quoted and dined by royalty. New
York gave him reception that he
will never forget. He was such an
idol that the tickle public began to
believe him invincible. But he met
his waterloo at Carson City, New,
St. Patrick's day, 1897, and new
star blazed in the armament of pu-
gilistic favorites. 1t was Fitzsim-
mons. He was great until he met
James j. Jeffries two years later and
was knocked out in the eleventh
round.
when we fought there were no
soft gloves" said John l.. 1--WE used
the weapons nature gave us. The
old London prize ring rules were diff
| ferent from those of today. You
never could tell how long a round
would last then. 1t might go two
seconds and it might go ten minutes.
"A knock-down ended a round.
Then the seconds of the man down
were allowed to walk over and carry
their man to his corner. They could
mosy along and take good deal of
| time taking him to his corner. The
| time did not begin against him until
he was seated in his chair. Then the
intermission was thirty seconds. At
the end of the thirty seconds, the
referee began counting time against
the man, and allowed him eight sec
onds more in which to step into the
ring and fight.
If he wasn't ready then, the other
man was declared the victor"
1t is very different now. The mod
ern pugilist wears glove weighing
five ounces. 1t is padded and cover
ed with soft leather. The men fight
three minutes to the round, and then
go to their corners and rest one min
utes, whether there has been blow
or not. The seconds-usually there
are at least four-begin tanning their
man, rubbing him with towels and
giving his legs and mody hard mas
sage. The chief adviser is talking in
his right ear as fast as he can, telling
him where he made mistake in the
previous round, and just what kind
of blow will be the most trouble
some to his opponent.
''FIe is leaving his ribs upnprotect-
ed" whispers the second. "Feint
with the left for the face, and send
in the right smasher under his heart.
That will fix him. Keep your left
guard higher, man. He's trying for
your jaw Force the fighting. Don't
let him stand off and sDar with Won"