Arizona republican., 1909-05-11
SULLIVAN LIKES
 THE SHOW BUSINESS
He Is Saving Money For the Firs' Time in His Life.

"Rut I've always found human na- ture to be pretty much the same the world over; my theory is that one man is as good as another as long as he tends to his own business. There was never a fish caught but that there was another just as good in the sea. I've been on earth a good many years. but I'm wearing the same size hat I always wore" so remarked the great champion pugilist, John l.. Sul- liVan, to a reporter a few days ago. He meant what he said and he spoke with an earnestness and conviction. The most talked of man of his day, the idol of hundreds and thousands. sought after. praised and banqueted, he is the same honest, simple. plain John l.. as in the days when he stood ready to defend his title against all corners under any rules. Time has changed him in some respects. His hair has silvered, his smile is more reassuring and perhaps less seldom seen, but the bright light in his eye and every nerve and muscle is as steady and as strong as it ever was. If any one doubts this MT. Sullivan is willing to thrust his fist through a hardwood door one and a half inches thick. if the doubter is will ing to stand on the opposite side of the door. No one who has watched him box at the theater doubts it, for the scientific men who are in the game today watch John l.. at his work. or it might be play. and get pointers every time.
 Sullivan presents a most interest ing chaarcter study. He has a pleas ing personality, cordiality that is not affected His hand clasp is hearty, decidedly so, and he impresses one at once with the feeling that all the fame and notoriety his years of championship gained for him, meant little. to him. What is the title of champion? 9" he asked. Why discuss it?" Why seek it? When I was in the ring. meeting all corners, l fought whenever I was challenged and l tell gou I fought for the money"
 He grew reminiscent then and "a called many instances of his career. He started to fight, not to box, wlie1 he was q young boy in Boston. He fought in the professional class at IS and at 19 he was champion. His greatest battles were in the sos and he gained the title under the London prize ring rules. which prescribe that the fight shall be on the turf and no gloves allowed It is under these rules that he is still champion. No man has ever cared to go against him under them. When Sullivan went against Corbett it was for the big gest purse ever hung up at that time The prize or purse was for $25,OOO a side and a side bet of S10.000 a side, which made S45,O0O in all. Sullivan stipulated that the whole amount should go to the winner as in all his battles. Sullivan declares and greatly regrets that there is a great deal or fake connected with the fighting of today-the matter of purses. the ac- tual terms of agreement and mary other points considered. But no man has ever vet accused John L. Sullivan of being a party to anything that was not absolutely on the square. The champion has reached the re- nective age of life, and his views of matters of current history show ia miliaritv with the subjects and clear InQlGAl TeaSOHlIlE- ne htSlh''fS "sAA with England, Russia's war with Ja- pan. matters of finance and policy and all similar subjects with as great familiarity as the Nelson Cans fight. The latter. by the way. terminated just as he predicted. He offers no criticism. Sullivan is man Of ten derest sympathies, fond of children and respectful admirer of true. good women. His liberality has made him q poor man for he has given away for tunes. He is making money now and is saving some of it.
 How do I like the show business Oh. first rate. I've been in it good while now. There's a fascination n the life. and everywhere I go. l meet old friends. Yes. I like it.