The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-02-25
(BY Ed. HushesN

Shortly before the Sullivan fight James J. Corbett took his first and only fling at meeting "All Comers'' in four round bouts agreeing to for felt $500 if he failed to put his man out within that number of rounds Corbetts style was unadapted to 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 cir cIe
 While showing in Philadelphia Cor | bett was challenged by Mike Mona han, a gas-house product Mike was | a particularly tough speciman and had managed to stay four rounds with 1 every champion that had previously appeared in the city of Brotherly
 Love. Corbett sized cdonahan up and decided to keep him at a safe dis tance. Every night Monahan ap- peared at the stage door willing to | box Corbett but the latter deftly lodged the issue. Soon, however, Monahan interested the sporting edi- l tors with his story of how Sullivan's s
 challenger was avoiding a joust with ! him and eventually even tl,c Associa- l ted Press received the intelligence. | Sarcastic comments and caustic jibs began to appear in the public prints
 about our Jim.
 Finally Billy Brady, then Corbett's manager, took the matter in his own l hands and approached Gentleman Jim in this wise: "Jim, it's no use. You've lsgot to meet Monahan tomorrow l night or go out of the town in dis grace" Brady has since said that he l believed Corbett, at this point, feared | Monahan more than he did the meet,
 ing with the mighty John L. Sullivan When the Gas-House Terror was informed that Corbett had agreed tc
 meet him he grow1ed: t"That'u be tht
 end of Corbett, theni'
 Corbett and Monahan both stripped
 in the same dressing room. Int
 former had cooked up a little strat
 to his rival. Turning to one of hi
 sparring partners Corbett asked: "Sa. , how's that man whose jaw I brok
 in Hartford last week?'
 'tNo better" was the reply. Mon ahan wasn't even listening apparent
 ly.
 And how about that fellow I sen to the hospital just before thai? :? went on Corbett. l "Oh, that fellow you met in tn taIl-coners' He's not out yet either . Jim," was the answer. Monaha1 , didn't bat an eyelash.
 Corbett, it must be remembered was not in condition for a hard f1ght F and when he discovered his little rus
 1 had not effect on the doughty Mon g | ahan, Gentleman Jim was a bit un ;, nerved. It was ten-thirty and tn l l theatre was damned Tor the tip ha 7 been circulated that Corbett was i z for nC+J inC Tf1S he ! fore the bout started Corbett went |
 1 Brady who was to referee and said
 'fBill, I'll take one chance with thi
 fellow and if l fail you'll have to ca
 time and make the rounds short
 Here is the way William A Brad!
 now a leading light in New York the Y atrical life, describes the encounter: e "Monahan came inyo the ring wit n the confidence of a Napoleon Tn D bell sounded, they went to the cente g He made speedy rush at Corbett an if hit him a quick blow i'll the stomacl = then grabbed him and tried to thro' s. him off the stage. Instantly there wa Is pandemonium in the house. Mons = han rushed Corbett all over the plac >- but Corbett took no chances. H l. stood back and gritted his teeth. e Monahan rushed for him. It locke
 bad for Corbett. but he W1nkeo d me not to ring the bell. Anothe n lunge from Monahan, another lung l. and then Corbett shot his right han g, across on Monahan's jaw and knocf l, ed him stiff. It took about a n11nu' y, to bring him to.
 l. We went back to tho dressing rool l. and then discovered what It hao CO s- us to knock out the gas-house glAl It and rescue Curbetf.s reputatton- " B Of his kunekies were knocked nAc