The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-16
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McJanlog J.CorbeH


(Note; This is the 9th chapter OF
series of articles on John L. as l Knew
Him." 1t relates many heretofore I'M
published incidents in the life of the
great warrior The next instalment will
appear tomorrow
John l.. Sullivan returned from his
tour of Australia on Oct 80 1891, and
~s afterward Joined theatrical
troupe which made a swing around the
country.
Hardly was the champion back on ma
challenges from Frank Slayfn and
Charlie Mitchell And, also, John l..
found some newspapers advocating that
he take me on in a finish bout under
Marquis of Queensbury rules. My show
ings against Kilrain and jackson and
also against John l.. in our exhibition
bout had impressed them. And they
figured that my speed, skill and youth
were assets not to be reckoned lightly.
1 was on a theatrical tour at the time
myself. Naturally, some Of the sporting
writer's who were advocating a match
between John l.. and myself came to me.
They asked me whether / would fight
John l.. If given chance and | readily
replied in the affirmative. Those boys
elaborated somewhat on my statements,
and 1 guess when John L. read them he
was somewhat nettled, although I had
issued no formal challenge
Slavin was ranked as John LIS most
formidable foe; as the only one who had
a splendid chance of whipping him.
Savin product Of New South Wales.
arrived in the United States just few
months before John LIS return from his
Australian tour. Slavin had whipped
tho best fighters in that country and
then had gone to England. There his
success continued.
Slavin was nearly six feet two inches
tall, and in his prime beamed around
200 pounds. He was a great, two-fisted
fighter not gifted with extreme clever
ness, but he understood the principles
OF scientific boxing Furthermore, he
could hit with fearful power and had
shown ability in standing up under pun
Shment.
AT the same time. Charlie Mitchell
was in the United States, and ever and
anon issued challenges at John l..
Charlie felt that his 39-round draw with
John l.. on French soil entitled him to
another chance, and Charlie voiced his
thought in the newspapers The British
fighter was said to have the solid back
ing of a number of wealthy English
sportsmen, and it was common talk that
If Sullivan would give him fight those
EEglshmen would back Charlie with an
Unlimited bank roll.
For number of months the champion
paid no attention to the challenges of
Slavin and Mitchell. other than to term
them publicity schemes" But finally
he discovered that public sentiment de-
manded that he get into the ring again
with some one.
| John l.. came upon the discovery that
his prestige had waned a trifle through
nearly three years of ring inactivity.
flight somebody" was the cry Of fan
dom.
Ninety nine per cent of the lovers of
pugilism still felt that John L. was I'M
beatable but they wanted the champion
| to nrove it by actual fistic perform
arcer>
Under such pressure, John T. while
! in st. Paul, Mimi, on March 5. 1892, is
sued his famous challenge, which fol-
lows verbatim:
"St. Paul Mimi, March 5, 1892.
"Our season ends about June 4, and
we do not resume again until September
| u. This gives me over three months to
prepare.
II hereby challenge any and all Of the
buffers who have been trying to make
capital at my expense to fight me. either
the last week in August or the first week
| in September this year, at the Olympic
club, in the city of New Orleans La.
for purse of $4,000, and an outside bet
of $4,000 the winner OF the fight to take
the entire purse,
II insist upon a bet of $4,000. to show
! that they mean business--S.5C0 to be put
up inside of 80 DAYS. another $500 to be
put up May !, and the entire $4,000, and
as much more they will bet, to be
placed by June 10. | am ready to put
up the entire $4,000 now. First come,
| first served.
II give preference in this challenge to
| Frank p. Slavin of Australia, as he and
his hackers have done the greatest
amount OF blowing. My second prefer
cnce is that bombastic sprinter. Charles
Mitchell OF England. whom would