The evening world., 1920-12-31

w boy in Boston, half a century
ago, he had one great ambi-
ton. He wanted TO become a pro
feEsional ballplayer. John might
have been the Babe Ruth of those
esrly days and we might have been
hnding his picture in some old team
lineup, decorated with a full crop
Of the whisloers then favored by Big
Loaguers. II Prof. Mike Donovan
hadn't visited Boston in 1873.
Mike Donovan was. middleweight
champion. There was little money
In boxing when matches had to be
held out in the woods. Mike was
training for a championship bout
and raising his training expense
\ money by giving a few exhibitions
In different towns. A Boston friend
suggested he might do we'll by taking
on a local semi-pro ballplayer who
had done little scrapping. So John
Sullivan was invited to a "set-to"
with Donovan, four rounds, John
came At that time he was husky
youngster Of twenty, broad should
cred, 5 feet 10 IL inches tall, weigh
ing about $50 pounds.
Being worlds champion middle
weight, and a first class boxer. Mike
Donovan thought he'd put the novice
at his ease. He felt grateful 20 the
boy anyway for appearing at his
beneft. SO he held out his hand to
Sullivan before the bell and said
pleasantly:
-I'll let you off easy, young fellow"
You'll be lucky II I don't break
your neck" roared Sullivan.
Right there, in line. you have the
character of the man who afterward
became the most famous worlds
heavyweight champion that ever held
y ring title.
HOW MIKE AND JOHN BECAME
FRIENDS.
AS for the bout Mike Donovan
Outboxed Sullivan for a moment
when John L. suddenly rushed upon
him with such fury that Donovan
doubled forward to protect his body
and raised both arms TO defend his
head. At this Sullivan brought his
right arm down full length across
Mikes shoulder blades the terrific
force Of the blow knocking Mike flat
1on his race. breaking his nose.
For years after that Sullivan and
Mike Donovan were friends, and nc
one ever had greater respect for Sui
lob nNFa n
Eullivan's rise to championship
honors was rapid. All fighting in his
time was under London Prize Rims
rules, with bare fists, both hitting
and wrestling throws allowed, rounds
terminating when either man was
down.
Just after we had both seen Demp
Bey knockout Willard, I asked Will
lam Muldoon, who was long associa
ted with Sullivan, how he would
compare Sullivan with the new cham
nion.
Sullivan at his best, and Dempse,
to-day would make a wonderful
match" said Mr. Muldoon. sullivan
was the hardest hitter l ever saw
but I think Dempsey hits as hard
sullivan, at his best, weighed 10
pounds to Dempsey's 1888, but Demp
Rey Is two inches taller and has
longer reach. Sullivan was a littl
faster and a better boxer, but hi
legs weren't as good as Dempsey'f
/ think with Sullivan and Dempsey Il
a ring the winner would be the ma
who got home the first heavy punch.
Boxing and other sports were on
different footing when Sullivan be
gan fighting. Fighters and their 10
lowers were outside the law, 10 som
extent, and championship matche
with the raw uns" were usually hel
out In the woods, IN a hastily put u
} ring, after lodging the peace Offlcer
Between fights II was the habit {
fighters TO disdpate heavily. To-da
the successful fighter is the cleane'
living man in the world. COmpetitiO
is hot, and no disspated boxer ca
ever reach the top in his class. Sull
van, beginning at twenty, reaChe
and passed the top OF his form &
twenty four.
Compare his life with Dempsey
Even when he has no match In slgl
Jack Dempsey Ia out on the road
daylight every morning for a run
several miles. Returning, he has
rundown, rests, eats breakfast, ar
later in the day boxes several round
He goes to bed early He new
drinks liquor or smokes He Ia
scrlipulously careful OF his physic
condition as an ancient Greek char
pion under oath not TO break trainir
for o full year before competing
the Olympic games
OLD TIMERS DIDN'T DO MUG
TRAINING.
Sullivan drank heavily when n
training and trained as little as DO
aIble' He kept no regular hour
Frequently he fought without ha
getting into condition. dependiI
tfpon the terror OF his name and Il
fury OF his first attack 10 beat an O.
ponent down. His vitality was ANA
Ing.
He won his FIRST thirty ring battl
IN 100 rounds OF hghting-an ayera
OF three and one-third rounds for ca
Night Among the famous heav