The New York herald., 1921-03-02
Admitted to DIR. Shrady That
Corbett Was Too Speedy
and Shifty.
BY CHARLES II. MATHIsON.

BY CHARLES It. MATHISON.
The contention in this column that
champions were not afflicted previous to
title contests with premonitions or fore
bodings of approaching defeat has drawn
from George II. Shrady. son of the late
DR.. George i. Shrady. famous physician.
a strikingly interesting recital dealing
with the attitude OF John l.. Sullivan
previous to his departure for New Or
leans, where he lost his title to Jim
Corbett. Mr. Shrady's contribution to
pugilstic history completely upsets the
impression that Sullivan was not in good
physical condition, although proof is sub
mitted that the Boston Boy was too fat.
Mr.. Shrady writes as follows:
"As constant reader OF THE NEW
YORK HERALD l never overlook your
interesting and instructive articles on
athletics. Whether or not John L. Sui
livan actually had premonition of his
coming defeat by Corbett l am unable
to say, but l recall an incident that
happened at the time and which may be
of some interest to HERALD readers
Shortly after signing articles 10 fight
Corbett and posting his forfeit the Bos-
ton Strong Boy called to consult my
father. the late DR.. George +. Shrady,
professionally.
HE said: Doctor, I've signed 10 .ight
young fellow named Corbett and
want you to look me over and see II I'm
all right. My friends are putting up
their money on me, but IL I'm not all
right I'll pay my forfeit and withdraw
from the match, as / don't want them
to lose their coin.'
"The thorough examination that fol-
lowed showed that the big fellow was
absolutely sound but handicapped by
rolls of heavy faiths adiposity being
probably due to overindulgence In COM
estibles and spirits.
Father said: John. you are entirely
too fat and should work some of It OFT.
You can spare pounds of It.
"'That's the devil OF II = exclaimed The
champ with a serio-comc expression on
his face. I've tried to work 1t off but
couldn't
while Sullivan seemed somewhat con-
cerned about his overweight he never
thelcss expressed himself as confident OF
victory. He squared himself before
mirror and started blow from his right
hip, which he swung in with such force
that he turned half way round upon Its
completion.
"'All / have to do, DOCTOR he said. is
to land one of those on mans 3ugular,
when he's down and out
After losing his crown to the young
Californian Sullivan said: Doctor, It
was case of the pitcher goin' TO the
well once too often. Corbett was too
quick for me. ! couldn't lay glove on
him. He kept jabbing me and getting
st,asn hA hud mn
winded and out
Although Midget Smith is the small
est boxer of all the eight who will APP
pear at Madison Square Garden to-
night yet he is the biggest attraction.
The aggressiveness OF the little chap
has made him n prime fnvorite with
patrons OF boxing at the Garden. ana
his entrance Is always the signal for
hearty applause.
Smith has made so fine an impress
sion that he IL regarded as n logical
opponent OF Joe Lynch. the banatam
champion, and II he gets a match with
the titleholder there will be many to
select the Midget TO win. Smith has
scored three knockouts In four fights
in the Garden, the victims including
Phil Franchini. Fighting Dick Atkins OF
Toronto and George Leo. the China
man.
In Knockout Joe O'Donneli of PhiIa-
deiphin Smith VIII meet a good hitter
and a fighter. which presages an excit-
ing combat Charley Beecher and Diot
Loadman can be depended n to start
fireworks In the first round, while
Johnny Buff. conqueror OF frankie Ma
son, will have his hands full with
frankie Daily. Jimmy Kelly and Phil
Bloom will complete we'll rounded
card of bouts.
Arrnos Laitinen. the Finnish cham
plon. who fell out of the ring at tho
Seventy Regiment Armory last
Monday night and upon the heads Of
Tom Rice and the writer. destroying q
perfectly good Stetson and pair of In
dispensable aids TO vision, fell into
trap later on. Mr.. Laitinen. after his
first tumble, decided II would be n good
spot for another flop. When the VIC.
Tins of the first avalanche OF beef had
ascertaincd that their necks and bones
were intact they decided on strategy.
AS soon as Laitinen began to reel In the
direction OF the spot where he had made
his first exit the unfortunates who had
acted rs buffers quickly moved their
chairs and tho 210 pounds Of Laitlnen
hit the hard floor with n sickening
thud He wrs groggy when picked up
md helped back into the ring, and he
upit fhraa ~ ft,s.roa Ia