The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-02

fake fight in Australia, when he laid
down to Jim Hail. Later he stopped
Hall in four rounds at New Orleans.
After his fight with Dan Creedon, an
other Australian, in the Crescent City
in 1894, Fitz announced his entrance
petitor for the title. He started pro-
ceedings by putting Peter Maher to
sleep in the first round at Langtry,
Tex, early in 1895.
Then came the decisive battle with
Sharkey-and Ruby Robert lost. For
the big sailor fore and aft. Although
Tom was not lacking in cleverness, he
was only a punching bag for nimble
Bob. Fitz was already doping out
schemes for investing the ten thou
sand, while sending the sailor sprawl
ing with sledgehammer body blows,
when the referee, Wyatt carp, stopped
to Sharkey on a foul. A hot Of peo-
pie present, gifted with good eyesight,
openly declared there wasn't any foul
that it was only a Pigment Of the
imagination. But the referee said
there was, and that settled it, and the
records show the result as Fitz's first
defeat.
But if Sharkey got the decision, Fitz
got the glory, and he was universally
declared to be the man to fight Corbett
for the title. "Gentbeman JIM wasn't
particularly anxious to test conclu-
sions with Ruby Robert. but public
opinion forced him to it, and in 1897,
at Carson City, the great battle was
staged, with what result the wise read
er wots of. After losing his title to
the giant Jeffries, Fitzsimmons fought
Sharkey again, at Coney Island. and
knocked him out in the second round.
After that battle with Fitz in San.
Francisco, Sharkey whipped Jim Cor
bett. and in two long battles with Jeff
came near holding his own with the
big bear.
New York. Dec. at won't be a meet
ing ing OF STRANGERS when John Arthur John
hue, clash In a twenty round argument In
Cuba in March. No, indeed. ILL Artha"
and Sam are old acquaintances. True.
they haven't been on fighting terms for
some years, but then that isn't Sans
fault. He has been anxious enough to
swap punches with the champion but ever
Tommy Burns over in Australia years ago
Johnson had steadfastly refused to have
anything to do. in a fighting way, with
men Of his own color.
Back in the old days, before he was q
champion. johnson was member OF q
Big Four that probably never will be
uupllCdLGu IN the I1RQt game. Johnson,
Mcvey. Sam Langford and Joe Jeanette
made up this quartet. Being all negroes
they had a hard time finding opponents.
This wasn't altogether on account Of their
color, however. They Were-are yet-maS-
tiers of the mitt game. Jeanette, McVey
and johnson are about of the same size.
Langford was the baby member Of the
stature and weight the Boston Tar Baby
made up in punching ability. After one
meeting with the Little Fellow" the 9TH
er members OF the quartet were willing to
meet anyone in preference to him again.
He hit too hard.
These four made meal tickets out of
each other There wasn't much to choose
and sometimes they gained decisions over
one another and on rare occasions a
knockout was registered. So 1t will be
like old times when johnson and McVey
Chamber into the ring in Cuba. The friend
ly feeling that used to be present in their
bouts in the old days, however, will be
missing. B6r johnson. by throwing over
his foe-friends of other days when he an
nexed a doubtful title, incurred their ever
lasting enntty. Anyone of the trio
Jeanette. Lanford or Mcvey-would give
most anything they possess to get crack
at the title holder. Each il firmly OF
the opinion that they can beat him. When
Mcvey and johnson hook up. Langford
and Jeanette will be pulling strong for
John Arthur to get his
New York. Dec; 2;-Freddie Welsh.
champion uSntWelSnt, mas announcer sur
prise in store for Manhattan's fistic
patrons who will see him in action against
Young Shugrue in Madison Square Gar
den Wednesday night.
On the occasion Of his first ring appear
ance in this locality after relieving Willie
Richie OF the title, Welsh hooked up with
AID Wolgast and to the surprise Of his
auditors, fought the former champion
breast to breast That evening WEIGH
showed himself to be a great offensive
| fighter as well as being the greatest de-
fensive fighter in the game today.
Well, Freddie promises to actually fight
Shugrue Wednesday night. Shugrue's
forte is fighting. He does not pretend to
be boxer but he certainly can mix mat
tiers. Welsh wishes to dispel any fear that
he will try only to outlook Shugrue and
therefore informs the public that he will
fight his rival at his own game.
New York, Dec. 2-Rube Marquard, the
Giant pitcher, was a caller at the Giants
offices Monday. RUDE dropped in to say
that he was taking a much needed rest
/ this winter. and when asked by Christy
Mathewson, another visitor at headquar-
| tiers. IL he expected to pitch next season
Msrquard remarked that he did expect &c
pitch, and much better than last year.
| Rube was late in reporting at the Mar
| lin training camp last spring on account
| abandoned the stage and expects to re.
port with the Giants in the spring in the
best Of condition
| While talking to President Hempsteat
Rube Vanguard, jr., had already learned
/ to play the piano. and just as soon a
spring arrives he 10 going to start to learr
to be a pitcher.
New York. Dec. z.-California Groeseus
Z 1z-year-old stallion, and one Of thu
faDtet trottezD b Tie Now York etrcut
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