The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-03-02

| Wakely continued. while Sullivan has
no idea Of being defeated know that
he would prefer to have the champion
ship wrestler from him If he is des-
tined to be beaten by one of his own
countrymen than to have foreigner
walk away with the honors."
well. I'll guarantee to defend the
title If I win It," was Corbett's res
ponse. Then the party separated.
There was a new champion in Am
erica, James ]. Corbett. There was
also another champion, the Olympic
club. It undertook an enterprise Of the
success of which all were doubtful. It
arranged three glove contests for as
many nights giving $42,500 in purses,
Of which $4,000 was given to the
heavyweights alone. Not only did It
manage to win financial victory as a
reward for it's own public spirit, but
it brought fully five thousand people to
the city, advertised New Orleans in ev-
cry corner Of the globe, and brought
off the affair with promptness and
without the slightest sign Of hitch or
disturbance.
Much Money Changed.
Although a half a million dollars
| changed hands as result, not a cross
word was spoken on the three nights.
The club won admiration from the
whole world and gave the: glove Con-
tests dignity which they never pos
sessed before. AS for the closing and
browning battle of the triple event. the
story is easily analysed. Sullivan was
in possession of his superb strength.
There never was any QUESTION about 5o5uu.
his courage. But age and the pace that
kills told on him. He had lost the
speed that was his in youth. His
Furnishing power was no longer the ter
ror it was of you're nor were his rush.
es so formidable
Corbett vas his peer in science. Cor
bett was his superior in quickness.
Only slightly Inferior in strength and
fully his equal in courage. It be-
came apparent from the third round
that Sullivan had met his master.
Corbett kept away, but 1t was only
when proper to avoid punishment. He
did not hesitate when the slightest
opportunity offered. He set his mark
early on Sullivan's nose, mouth and eye
and with the finest method kept ham,
mering at the mark set. Sullivan
wore himself out in his futile rushes,
and when he showed signs of firing
Corbett made a bid for the $4,000
which had the speed of a lightning
flash.
Sullivan Badly Punished.
Under Corbett's persistent punish
! GIL ~.
fell helpless. There had not been a
knockdown,> when 1t came it was a
knockout. Sullivan did not fall until
he was beaten, he scorned the tricks of
fighters not as lion hearted as he. But
the first sign of helplessness brought
Corbett on like a tiger. In less than
seven seconds he struck as many
blows.
The brave spirit within Sullivan
struggled against defeat. He strove
to rise but nature resisted, and he fell
again, over him stood the new cham
pion, and when the old champion was
lifted to his feet, limp and almost I'M
conscious, the new champion, in token
of his rivals unfailing courage, helped
to raise him tenderly.
There were cheers for the new cham
pion but there were no reproaches for
the old.
1t was the old generation against
the new. It was the gladiator against
the boxer. Sullivan represented the
first stage in the evolution of the AM
erican pugilist and swept away old
methods and old traditions The old
style was severe training and bloody
battles, fights under difficulties in Sc
cluded spots, in which the contestants
performed for little money before the
most Objectionable classes.
Originated Glove Contests.
Although Sullivan had twice defend
ed the championship with bare knuck-
les under London prize ring rules he
was the virtual inventor of the modern
glove contests. He did better with
the gloves than all his predecessors
with naked fists and did as much ex-
ecution with padded hands in four
rounds as the old time fighters with
unglOved f1sts.
He Americanized the manley art; de-
prived 1t Of much Of it's brutality and
made 1t possible to decide champion
ships before athletic clubs under the
best auspices, and before a class of
people who formerly took little interest
in the sport. Nature intended him for
a gladiator and although he abused ma
ture to a certain extent, not even the
best trained rivals could defeat him.
In England and America he defended
the title Of champion, and when any
where near his true self there was no
doubt as to the result.
Sullivan the Best Loved.
He stood out central figure
in the history Of pugilism, and
attracted to him following
from every corner of the country.
Wherever he fought people flocked to
see him, and no matter what his con-
dition, no matter who his rival, no
matter the odds, the crowd was for
Sullivan. It was so in this battle and
hundreds of people from almost every
state, from California to New York and
from Minnesota to Texas poured into
the city Of New Orleans which gave 1t