South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-24
BY ED. HUGHES,
The Famous Sports Cartoonist.

The Famous Sports CarfOontSt.
Shortly before the Sullivan fight,
James J. Corbett took his first and
only fling at meeting all corners" in
four-round bouts, agreeing TO forfeit
$500 If he failed TO put his man out
within that number of rounds. Cor
belts style was unadaLted 10 this
quick knockout business and he soon
found it out. But not until he had
experienced more quirks and fears
than falls to the lot OF most fighters
in a whole career in the squared
circle.
While showing in Philadelphia
Corbett was challenged by Mike
Monahan, a gas-house product. Mike
was a particularly tough specimen
and had managed to stay four
rounds with every champion
that had previously appeared in the
City of BrOtherly Love Corbett
sized Monahan up and decided TO
| keep him at a safe distance Every
night Monahan appeared at the
stage door willing TO box Corbett
! but the latter deftly lodged the is
sue. Soon, however. Monahan in
terested the sporting editors with his
story of how Sullivan's challenger
was avoiding a joust with him and
eventually even the press received
the intelligence. Sarcastic COM
ments and caustic jibes began TO ap-
lear in the public prints about our
I Jim.
Meets MOnahan.
Finally Billy Brady, then Corbett's
manager, took the matter in his own
hands and approached Gentleman
Jim in this wise: Jim. it's no use.
You've got to meet Monahan to-
morrow night or go out Of the town
in disgrace" Brady has since said
that he believed Corbett at this
point, feared Monahan more than
he did the meeting with the mighty
John L. Sullivan.
When the Gas-House Terror was
informed that Corbett had agreed
to meet him he growled, "Thatu be
the end OF Corbett, them"
Corbett and MOnahan both
stripped in the same dressing room.
The former had cooked up a little
strategem calculated TO throw d
7 scare into his rival Turning TO one
Of his sparring partners, Corbett
asked Say. how's that man whose
jaw 1 broke in Hartford last week ?"
COrbctt Used Strategy.
mo better" was the reply. Mon
ahan wasn't even listening appar-
emily.
And how about that fellow I sent
L 10
went on Corbett.
"Oh. that fellow you met in the
| 'an-comers? He's not out yet
either, Jim" was the answer. Mon
/ ahan didn't bat an eyelash.
COrbett, It must be remembered
was not in the condition for a hard
! fight, and when he discovered his
| little ruse had no effect on the
| doughty Monahan. Gentleman Jim
was a bit unnerved. II was 1880
I and the theater was damned for the
! tip had been circulated that COrbett
was in for a tempestuous evening
Just before the bout started Corbett
went 10 Brady, who was 10 referee
and said Bill. I'll take one chance
/ with this fellow and if I fail you'll
have TO call time and make the
rounds short"
Easy Victory.
Here is the way william a.
Brady. now a leading light in New
York theatrical life, describes the
encounter:
"Monahan came into the ring with
I the confidence OF a Napoleon. The
/ bell sounded. they went 10 the cen
/ ter. He made a speedy rush at Cor
/ bett and hit him a quick blow in
I the stomach, then grabbed him and
I tried 20 throw him of the stage. In
I stantly there was pandemonium IN
/ the house. Monahan rushed Corbett
all over the place But Corbett took
no chances. He stood back and grit
/ ted his teeth Monahan rushed for
him. II looked bad for Cor bett, but
he winked 20 me not 10 ring the
bell. Another lunge from Monahan.
another lunge. and then Corhetf
4 shos his right hand across on Mon