PUGILISM.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2379, 21 August 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

PUGILISM.

~ Tl|e jDhicago Heralcl of, June 5 says!. —" The great 50Q0dol a side champion-shij^of-ithe-w.orld match between John L, Sullivan and Jom Smith of England doesn't .look as if it would ever take place, I do not think that Sullivan would 'b'e willing to toe the line if Smith should withdraw his objectionsto Sullivan's challenge and come to this country to fight. Sullivan is not. the man that he was, He is the shartow of his former greatness which shines about him like a halo. What has he done in the; last .year oivtwol How many matches has he made that he did not kutp'i He doean't want to fight a clever big man, He knows that'his wind could'not carry ; him beyond three rounds, and that his rushes are hot'what they were. He knows, too, that John L, Sullivan unconquered is a money-making attraction,...but that . John L,. Sullivan whipped is not a very valuable article. I sa,w Sullivan not, -long 'ago,- -There was a great and apparent change in him, , -Fat,, and not hard fat either, concealed the plan of his former his Waisthas altered woefully. I guess it must measure as much di'.'more as viiroUnd 'his big chest, It is not strange either. For ;ihree y§ai ; s nearly he has beeu on one long, prolonged spree, He doesn't : seeiu to bo alila to control his appetite for liquor, and .the atnount of grpg he stows away every day is startling.; I ,yead_ a. personal letter from-, the West yesterday that said Sullivan had been roaring drunk all.the. week,- and that his conduct was shameful, No ordinary man could hiive. stood' such dissipation and live to tell of-it. It is not at all likely ' that Sullivan's fight - with Mitchell-will take place this month or at any time. Sullivan is, of course, willing to have a hippodrome contest if tlyere is money in it, and for that matter so is Mitchell. But Sullivan does not trust Mitchell, He is willing' to have a settled number of rounds with him' providing Mitchell will consent to and pound a little in return, -Mitchell will agree to tlie.scbemp, too.'" But that is not all, '■ is the Vainest man in. the pugilistic ranks, and the one dream of lijs life was-do\yn- :Sullivan. He is the only .man wild ever stood up to .Sullivan .when Sullivan was at highest •and the, only man .who ever..floored him. Mil cell is.a brainy lighter, and is heavier than he used to be, and cleverer too,'as far'as that is concerned. In training for a fight with Sullivan jhe would devote, liis whole time to getting iulo shape, and would face the big one in prime condition;. . Then Mitchell: is tricky. ■■ If he 6aw,a ; chance of besting Sullivan' he ; would - take it lovingly, agreement or no agreement, and make' his dreaiu a reality, In a fight to the finish with liufd. gloves even, I believe' Mitchell would stand a, good chance of whipping Sulliivan, and. then, as I said betore, Sullivin can't, afford to be whipped just'it present.";