Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31

the greatest drawing cards that ever
stepped on canvas.
Shortly afterward Critic was matched
with Billy Murphy and Johnny Griffin at
that the men. first-class in their day, were
inundated. Then came his match with
George Dixon, the worlds featherweight
champion. They boxed twenty-five
this was a courtesy to Dixon, rather than
a real indication of the merit of the n,en.
You remember Dixon at his best? Well,
an idea OF how good Critic was may be
shown from the fact that he never would
and never did train a minute for that
match. Critic liked to carouse and loved
his bitter beer" SO we'll that two days
before the match his manager, Hughey
Behan, had Critic arrested on q warrant
charging him with drunkenness and kept
him locked up until within an hour Of
entering the ring. Now the cell of a po-
lice station is not the best place in the
world to get ripe for boxing contest,
but this was a common thing with Critic.
And Then George Dixon.
Boston was and always will be loyal to
it's boxers. It will surely give the best
credit possible to its fistic stars, such as
John L. Sullivan. Mysterious Billy Smith,
Joe Walcott, Dixon. and later Sam Lang
ford. But that night we saw our idol
messed up as though he had never be-
fore seen a glove. Every point OF the
champions rare ring generalship was
brought into play, but 1t was no use.
Whether Dixon boxed at long or short
range, whether he tried rushing and
smuggling, no matter, in fact how he went
was Critic doing just as much as he
pleased with the dusky champion.
Later Critic was matched to box La
vigne for the worlds championship at
U-l- to- s.k, -
habits were not OF the best, and he final
ly committed a crime for which he was
sent to prison for long term. Influence.
however. secured his release in a year.
This release was so arranged that the
night of the day he left Jail he met Joe
Cans at Greenpoint. now part OF Brook
Ign, and Cans was as helpless before
Critic as the others had been.
His escapades, however, killed Critic as
a drawing card, and he drifted back to
Chicago, where he kept slipping lower
and lower until finally. after several
terms as a vagrant. he was adjudged in
sane and sent to the asylum.
Manager Made a Fortune.
Charley Griffiths, not related to Critic.
although of the same name, who came to
this country and fought a number of
men in the pas. two years. finally used
his efforts to get Critic released. and
Critic went to New York a few months
ago. and at one OF the local clubs was
given a chance to display his skill. He
was nut against Mike Leonard. q former
crack lightweight, and Critic showed
that he still possessed his marvellous |
skill. but had not the stamina to hold
his own against the rugged boxers of
TODAY. although he bested Leonard with |
mt having to exert himself.
GrifYo's manager made a fortune from |
him I have seen Critic after a contest |
come to a club office and with his hat In |
his hand ask Behan to fill ii. bundle |
of one-dollar bills. piled loosely into the /
hat. would be given him. With a crowd |
Df kindred spirits he would rush to the \
nearest saloon. pour the contents of the
derby on the counter. and in a |
few minutes Critic would be looking for |
more money from his manager.
Costello was a different type, but was
,xtremeIy unfortunate He came TO this /
,ountry for the purpose OF nesting Alex L
;rergains, who was at that time making
,is home in Boston, where he was backed
Nv Toe Lewis They met at Coney Island
n what proved to be the longest glove
light on record between hcavyweights L
Then they hattied eighty rounds to a l.
Iraw. This l.sht in length is exceeded II