The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-06-12

OF Australia as he and his hackers have
done the greatest amount OF blowing
sprintcr Charles Mitchell of England
whom would rather whip than any mar
in the world; My third preference Is
James j. CorbetlsNof America, who has
uttered his share or bombast. But in
this challenge I include all fighters,
Tho Marquis of Queensberry rules
must govern this contest. as want
sighting, not foot racing. and intend
keeping the championship OF the world,
JOHN /. SULLIVAN,
champion OF the World.
'St. Paul, Mimi, March IL lS9Z.
'T will never challenge sullivan rms
remark was made by James j. Corbett
to party OF friends in Chicago @ 99se oopoc De,
cast with the idea of making theatrical
engagement and at the time had not
fully determined TO enter pugiIism as q
career. He had been talking OF MS en-
counter the previous May with Peter
Jaclson-a battle that in spite OF the
mo contest decision had stamped Cor
bett as a fighter far above the ordinary
caliber. ~ =,
Since then some have been heard to
say that Corbett won his reputation IRON y.
none but old and decrcpit men YET ~
should be remembered that IT was AFTER
his fight with Corbett that Peter Jack
con went to England and from FRANK
Slavin won the most sensational nSht oI
his entire career. ~ r.
when he entered the ring with Cor
bctt. jackson had a bad ankle. But Cor
bctt also suffered under severe manor
cap. He had been Ill and was III wnen
he entered the ring. More than oncG
during the fight no received medical
treatment, Yet had he mot been re
strained it is certain he would nave
knocked out Jackson.
"BjlIy" Delaney. the foxicst ring gen
cral that ever developed puglilst. knew
that draw with Jackson was sufllclen'
glory for Corbett, in whose corner ne was
even when Jackson was so leg WearE
That he could hardly stand. TO take
chances in an exchange of heavy blows;
Corbett always liked John l.. Sulli-
van and TO this day speaks of him as
one of the worlds greatest pugihstSS-a go
harder hitter, in Corbetts oplnlon, tuah
either Fitzsimmons or Jcffries Contlnu-
ing his conversation with his frlenus III
Chicago the young puglist said:
Yes think ! can beat Sullivan, but
II he waits for me to challenge him he
can retain the championship ior ne me
mediate challenger. The only way 10
bring Sullivan and me together is TO per-
s,,ade him to make the first move. III
he does that he Will nnd me reauy al'u
waiting Cor him.
This conversation. considerably empha,
sized and much distorted, was repeated
TO Sullivan, and finally brought forth inc
hero quoted. An attempt had been made
TO sidetracl1 Sullivan and TO regard MN
as a retired champion. This injured ms
theatrical business and hurt his pride II
should be said for Sullivan that he Tar
undorestimated Corbett's powers. BE re-
,arded him as a clever boy without aoil-
ity TO put force behind his blows.
"Corbett can't punch a hole through a
mound of butter" was one Of Sullivans S
favorite remarks. II is not on record
that he ever uttered il after his fight
with Corbett in New Orleans.
lanes ]. Corbett had flashed across
tho pugilistic horizon like meteor
Though in California he was regarded
as the greatest OF all amateurs. little
met Jake Kilrain In six rounds In New
Orleans In 1890. Kirain had been
whipped by the mighty Sullivan after
tremendous battle. The idea OF an un-
known beating him was considered abb
surd. Yet CorSctt stepped into the ring
and from the first sound OF the bell made
Kilrain look like a novice. he went
through the SIX rounds without mark
on him while Kilrain crawled through the
ropes cut and bleeding as the result of a
score OF bruising blows.
Corbett was eyer student OF pugilism.
From his earliest encounters as school
boy he made every fight answer the pur-
pose OF a lesson, he was always ready
10 put on the gloves with amateur. or
professional When he found a man with
q blow that was new TO him Corbett made
a study of the blow improved upon it
and appropriated IL to his own use. So
it happened that when Sullivan visited
San Francisco in June. 1891. Corbett Gag
crIy accepted tho suggestion that he and
the champion should appear In a mimic
bout at the Grand opera house.
The two men appeared before trc-
mendous crowd. Instead of wearing ring
costumes, the two pugfIsts were in eyen-
ing dress. Not n hard blow was struck
and not an attempt was made by either
10 break the agreement. Yet it was a
try-out of the champion and for the bon
eft OF Corbett.
Just before the close of the sixth round
i'm that mimic encounter Corbett feint-
ing, flddllng and swinging his heavy COW
cred fists. drew Sullivan into a mix-uD.
blocked a blow and raised his right arm,
holding himself poised as II about to sling
right upper cut to Sullivan's face, The
opening was there and Corbett saw it..
made mental note OF 1t and long after
ward repeated the operation. though the
second time he failed To withhold his fist
and swung the blow flush 10 Sulliva MS
face to- the undoing OF the Boston man.
The articles Of agreement for the first
championship battle under Queensbury
rules were entered into without any OF
the quarreling and pickering that have
marked the agreements of more recent
years. Each man was anxious for the
contest; neither desired an advantage for
himself, and each was willing 30 meet
The other half way in concessions. The
result was the agreement for the great
battle before the Olympic club of New
Orleans. on September 7. 1892, the purse
being $4,000. the stake $4,000 and the
There are those who havo said Cor
bctt was filed with fear when he went
10 New Orleans for his meeting with Sui
iivan Such statement is utterly cr-
"cneous. The yourgster was filed with
confidence. He had his battle completely
planned in his mind and it Is fact that
he won the fight Just as he had planned.
forcing Sullivan Co the final count one
round earlier than he had expected.
Trained on the Cars.
In .hc baggage ear attached 10 tho
train which took Corbctt 10 New Orleans
a gymnasium had been lifted up. There
Corbett continued his training as he sped
through the country, and Just as the
train entered New Orleans he authorized
friend who was with him TO wager $4,000
ON his chances at the prevailing odds
Corbetts confidence. however was as
nothing compared with that OF the cham
piop. Sullivan did not believe the man
lived VINO could stand before his tremen-
dous rushes. He had prepared for tho
battle at Canoe Place Inn, a famous hotel
Just beyond Good Ground Long Island
established under royal grant in the sec
ond decade OF the eighteenth century
now frequentcd by automobile parties
touring through Long Island.
Sullivan ran over the Shnnecock Hills
and ploughed through the sand, training
moro faithfully fhap hn fbOuvl,I h. 90