The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-08-13
BOXERS CAM
AFFORD To LOSE
Too Much at Stake for the
MiddIeweights to Take
Chances.
By II. NJ. AYres.


AS the date Of the twenty-rounds
contest between Jack Cordell and Dick
Sullivan approaches, the voice of the
knocker, growing ever louder and more
blatant, is heard in the land.
The first time these two boxers met
Mr.. Knocker had it all doped out that
Sullivan was to win, he was going to
remain here while his opponent was
going away, so Of course Sullivan would
win. The contest resulted in draw.
The second match was made and the
whole Knocker tribe raucously pro-
claimed that the fight was fixed, that
Sullivan was to win and that betting
hui stood prepared to back Honolulu
Dick for as much money as was pro-
duced in support of Cordell.
The men FLASHED and for fifteen
rounds fought like tigers, the verdict
being a deaw.
Then the third contest was arranged,
this time over a twenty-round route.
Every fight fan in the Territory well
coined the news of the match and even
Mr.. Knocker joined in the general ac-
claim which greeted the signing of arti-
cles for a bout which would indisput-
ably decide on whose brow the laureis
Of the middleweight championship
should rest.
Now, however, the Knocker tribe are
getting busy again and with a look of
great sapience on their faces suggest
hat ALL 10 TnY &nn
reason, forsooth, that he has just en-
barked in business and cannot afford
to lose.
Did you ever hear such fatuous argu-
ment?
Coming down to eases there ism It
sufficient inducement for either Of the
men to +" fx'' the fight, even were
either so disposed.
Take Cordell for instance. He is
boxer pure and simple. His bread and
butter is earned with his gloved fists.
His reputation is his meal ticket. His
career in the ring has been long anu
honorable one and he aspires to still
greater honors than have so far fallen
to his share, considerable though the
latter have been. A victory over Dick
Sullivan will mean that Cordell will
have no difficulty in securing match
with one of the top-notchers of the
middleweight division on his return to
the Coast. It is rumored, moreover,
that Cordell intends to return here dur
ing the visit of the fleet and challenge
any boxer aboard the cruisers. meeting
two men in the same ring on one night.
If Cordell loses to Sullivan the kibosh
will have been put on what looks to be
remunerative proposition for Cordell
No, it is unreasonable to suppose for
a minute that the conqueror of Kid
Herman. Jack Clifford, Charlie Seiger,
Eddie Santry and Jack Dougherty,
would throw a fight to Dick Sullivan,
especially in a town where the aggre-
gate wagers on contest usually fall
far short Of five hundred dollars.
Now let us consider Sullivan. Dick
has just gone into business for him
self. It is a business which receives
large share Of its patronage from the
sporting section, transient and resident,
of the community. AS long as Sullivan
keeps on winning there will be plenty
of friends and admirers to drop in at
his place, shake hands with the cham
pion, and, incidentally, spend a little
money.
Let Sullivan taste the bitters of de-
feat, however, and ali this is changed.
The world has little use for loser
and Honolulu is no exception to this
rule. Nothing succeeds like success
and nothing is stunned like failure. IF
Sullivan is counted out he had better
abandon his role of honiface and go
into the real estate or insurance bust
ness. Otherwise he will be so lonesome
in his resort that he is apt to 60 crazy
for want of company.
Here's the proposition: The two
boxers are fighting for something more
than the winning and losing end of the |
purse. Their means of livelihood is at |
stake. Neither can afford to lose and |
there isn't enough money in sight for |
either to dof other in the ring than his |
level best.
If ever a fight was going to be de-
cided on its merits it is this one, and |
if a doubling Thomas approaches you |
with a tale of suspicion and of woe,
You are at liberty to refer him to the |
aforegoing and then ask him what he |
thinks about it.
The boxers did gentle work yester- |
day and both seemed to be as fit as |
the proverbial fiddle. The arrangements
at the Star Theater have about been |
and a number of improve
ments have been made.
The present indications are that the |
house will be the largest of any hereto
fore in this country. Seats are now
on sale at Fitzpatrick 5 cigar store.
Corporal Davis, captain of the Ma