The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-08-19
SULLIVAN TALKS
OF THE KNOCKOUT
"NO Way to Beat the Booze
Came" Says Former
Champion.
PAYS RESPECTS TO FAKERS
IDOL OF THE RING IN SALT LAKE
FOR A WEEK.

Epigrammatical as usual and breathing
forth advice to old and young CLEANED
from the store of his many experiences,
John L. Sullivan arrived in Salt Lake
last night. Ii is the first time in many
years that the idol of the American prize
ring, or. to be more correct the Idol of
the American sporting public, has been
in Salt Lake. But he had not been in
the city three hours before he was mark
ing the changes that had occurred since
his last visit
With the one and only John l., arrived
Jake kirain, his sparring partner, Frank
Hall. his manager, and Arthur Reynolds.
For the next week the man who was the
champion of the world for ten years will
give the younger generation an opportun-
ity to see just what the man who was
the idol of their fathers really looks Ike.
Well Past His Prime.
When they see John L. stripped for
action they will see man past the mid
die of life, although he says he is only
twelve DAYS older than President ROOSe-
welt, whose arms and neck show at the
first glance the athlete. The ravageS OF
time and other things have left their
marks upon the One-time champion. His
hair is white his well curied mustache
connect, and the amount of space taken
by his waist line is out of proportion from
any well regulated athletes measure
ments. but he is an example of a well
preserved champion.
Stories of John l.. have Travelled from
coast to coast times without number,
Once he was blind and pennileSs in BOs-
ton. Then he was dying of Senile decay.
Then again il was something else The
man who walked into the KnutsfOrd no.
tel last night and signed his name as
John L. Sullivan did not appear as
though senile decay was on speaking
terms with him.
Willing to Give Advice.
The train bringing him from Alexan-
dria, La. was several hours late and it
was evening when the party arrived.
There were large number of Old-time
friends on hand to shake hands with the
former champion. After they had gone
it was not long before Sullivan was re-
clining comfortably on a couch, his ia
vorite pipe between his teeth and pair
of expansive pajamas shaking in the
evening Salt Lake breeze.
John l.. is always willing TO give ad-
vice. Maybe he often figures that it is
good advice because it might have ma
terially assisted him had he thought of
it during his heyday, but it is all ad-
vice based upon an experience that is
equal to almost any mans.
Last night he was tired and seemed
rather to prefer the sOlace of his pipe
than to talk. but gradually he began to
say things as only John L. can say
them.
Because Sullivan was for twelve years
the recognized champion of the ring one
would think that his first topic would
he about the ring itself. But he would
rather discuss politics. the national top
les. art, in fact anything, than the prize
ring.
John Despises Takers.
OF course the word prize fight had
to crop out in the conversation
'TThe takers have almost killed the
Il. H. Nr.HNs A.r4Fa
on the pillows. 1.-The takers will kill
anything they get into There is one
rule of life that every young man ought
to take and keep. That is, BE on the
level" If you are not on the level you
won't get along. 1 know I have been
before the public for many years. / have
seen men come and go, but the only ones
that stayed or did anything of account
were the ones that were on the level
Take the prize fighters Of the present
day What do you hear but fake, fake,
fake?' Who can have confidence in the
game with that condition of affairs2 But
don't want to talk about the ring. ] am
out of it. But if you want a good
motto, take this one: BE on the level
Value of Friends.
I'D rather have the friendship of a
yellow dog than have his i'll will.
Don't forget that" continued Sullivan.
You can never make too many friends
And you can't tell when the least
thOugnt-Of OF those 1r1enQS may De dDle
to do you the greatest favor. Be on the
dead level, be square and upright, and
you'll get along"
Having dispensed some of his philoso-
ply, the big man leaned back and
smoked his pipe again. Talk turned back
to the ring again and then Sullivan be-
gan to tell stories AS a story teller the
former champion is in a class by himself.
Incidents picked up here and there dur
ing his years of travel come to his mind
rapidly He has a rare faculty for re
Numbering names and dates. And his
stories have the flavor that bring the
far-away. decentralization" look to
the faces of his auditors.
Jeff a Dead One.
'Jeffries,'' unused Sullivan, when the
name of the present-day champion was
mentioned Jeff is good one but he
win another fight if he tried, and ne
won't try. No man is invincible. Jeff
has had his day, just as l had mine, and
now it is for some younger man to step
in OF course. Jeff isn't old, but he
couldn't train for fight without hurt
ing himself
'sSay. do you know what the worst
Knockout blow s? | mean the knockout
blow for a fighter or for any man. 1t
isn't a solar plexus; it isn't straight
left to the jaw; it is nothing else than
booze"
man knows the truth of his assertion bet
ter than he does But for two years Sui
Iivan has lived up to his pledges to keep
away from the knockout" and his clear
face shows that he is still clinSing the
cart
Can't Beat II.
Yes" he continued. lit Will knock out
the best of them You can't get ahead of
the booze game. ] know. I've tried it
and | had to give in and admit myself
beaten. Maybe you try to get the best
of il by simply sparring. by not going in
for thorough work. Well, il viii get the
best of YOU in time. 1t is bound to. Then
you will get mad and try to rough and
tumble 1t with John Barleycorn- Result
you are knocked out Yes, SIR. you
always take the ten count
take the advice Of a man that knows.
Pc on the level and cut out the booze.
That's what John l.. Sullivan says. and
he never gave anyone bad tip in his
life"
Memories of the memorable Kilrain-
Sullivan fight. which is one of the class
les of the ring, will be brought to mind
when these two stars of bygone days
strip for the ring at the Salt Palace to-
night Both are past the prime Of life,
but still both will serve to recall DAYS
when 'nen were men and there WASH [
fake cry every time fight came Off