MAGE'S MAORI

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1346, 6 April 1883, Page 3

MAGE'S MAORI

The New York gang of self; advertising spectators in sports pin, their hopes of beating Sullivan now onj Jem Mace; iind his : Maori giant.; Sullivan says of the Maori: " What; is ib? Let mo look at it. If it's a; man, I'll fight.it." Mace.says thathe' has retired from the prize ring, but he is prepared to meet any one in gloves, and that, after a little training ho will match his Maori against any one. Old pugilists are sceptical regarding Mace's "Unknown." ' blade's hog-sticking experience.

" I suppose you can stand punishment]" asked a veteran pugilist, of Slade. " Oh, yes, I could challenge any man to walk with bare feet on broken glass. In former years in my own countiy, my business was hunting and killing wild boars. I used to go out barefoot in the thicket and run in the brambles and stubble after tho animals. My feet were badly cut up sometimes, but 1 didn't mind the pain and inconvenience as long as I caught lots of boars. The government wished to exterminate the animals, and a bounty was paid for every tail, that we could prclnco in'proof of a boar slaughtered, I used to run until I caught up with the animal, and then kill him with a knife. My two brothers were in the same business, 1 am used to hardships and fatigue, and I don't mind punißhmont. THE CHAMPION AND HIS CONDITION.

One of Sullivan's friends assert that he is in no condition to meet Slade; tho Maori, if New York parties should arrango the fight, as he has been drinking heavily during the trip which he is making with Coburn. Sullivan himself said: " I've had enough of the soft glove racket, If Jem Mace has a man that will stand in front of me on the turf with bare knuckles, all right. We can arrange a match. It looks as if there would be a fight. It will be my last, probably, win or lose, so it must be for big money or not at all."

WHAT BLADE LOOKS LIKE, Slade (says the "Police News") certainly looks as if he might "lay out" tbe work for the best of them. He, is 28 years, six feet two inches tall and weighs 225 pounds. His muscles are all splendidly developed, the lower limbs showing as good development as the arms and chest. His hand is in itself a menance to life, large and sinewy, with a grip like a vice. His features are rather broad and heavy, with fair hair and eyes. He has the largo mouth which old-timers used to say is one of the signs of a good fighter. His arms are not large, Ho seems to be all shoulders and back and big hands. Mace seems to wear his years as lightly as he did ten years ago; but tho top of his head is becoming bald, andbis hair k sprinkled with.grey. "You're getting old. Jem," said the reporter, "and .you cannot afford to lead public opinion ostray about the ability of Slade. Can ho do it f "He's the greatest boxer I over saw for a big one," was the reply. "If you're as good a man as you were 10 years ago," the reporter said to Mace, "you would have a good chance to try Sullivan yourself," " Ah, my lad, I wish I could go back. Sullivan's style of fighting would just suit me." "Howisthat'l" "1 hey tell mo he is a rusher, and will' come for it,' I'd stand and meet him, and if I had got one or two' nose enders' you bet he will not rush again. As it is, age and all thrown in, if ever I get in front of him he won't knock me out in four rounds." Tho match between Slade and Sullivan will bo to fight with bare knuckles for SSOOO, Mace says that, if Sullivan beats Slade, ho will make a match to fight the Bosen Hercules himself, with gloves, for SSOO. John B. Deline says that he will bet from SIOOO to $2500 that Slade can knock Sullivan out iu one round, Mace says he is ready to wager any sum from $25 to SSOO that Slade can outjump, outbox, and outwrestle, in Cumberland style, any man in the United States. 4 - The general opinion among the sports in New York is that the Maori will stand little chance in the ring with John L. Sullivan. '• He is plenty big enough," remarked a,well known sport, "but the question is, is he good enough?" I think not," joined in another sport, " he's too beefy, and mark my words, if he ever meets Sullivan in the ring Sullivan will make mince meat, of him." Many sporting men are of the same opinion that there has been too much dissipation, sightseeing and late hours by Mace and his Maori protege since their arrival, if it is really intended that the latter shall fight Sullivan, and Al Smith's willingness ,to baok Sullivan for big money after seeing Slade is thought to argue badly for the Maori's chances.