1954-10-07 — Page 7

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4

IT'S THE BIT OF IRISH` IN THEM

There Was Never A Prizefighter Like Old “John L.'

Says ALAN HOBY

THE CHINA MAIL THURSDAY, OCTOBER

ON THE LOOKOUT

99

His mother came from Athlone, his father from Tralee, in Co. Kerry. At the beginning of the 20th Century he was an American institution--the greatest national hero, next to Lincoln, the United States had ever had.

"Champlon of Champions" they called him--the finest fighter who ever lived. His name was John L. Sullivan. “John L,” the Boston Strong Boy.

It was a distinction just to shake hands with a man who could boast he had clasped the hand of John Lawrence Sullivan. Even then Sullivan was an immortal, a giant of the gaslight era; a great roaring, roistering bull of an Irishman, with glowering eyes and ferocious waxed moustache.

good Irishman, was not high. He once raid "There is not in Englishman Ilving I cannot whip In three rounds."

When "John L." strode into ¦ opinion of the English, being m some plushy saloon and roared: "My name is John L.. Sullivan, and I can lick any man alive," few were disposed to argue with him.

His thirst was as spectacular Da hla conquests in the ring. He used to drink champagne by the quart and whisky by the bottle.

Theodore Dreiser described him as "raw, red-Inced, big- fisted, broud-shoulderek drum- ken, with gaudy waistcoat and tle, and rings and pins set with enormous

diamonds

rubles."

or Bullivan's surroundings, Dreiser added: "Cigar boxes, decanters, champagne buckets, beer bottles, overcoats, callors and shirts littered_the_floor."

This was after Sullivan hod been defented, in bis DWE words, by "that little dude from California (James J. Corbell)." "But I'm still John L. Sullivan," he used right? How! How?"

to roar. "Ain't

that

Then to whoever might be around: "Have some more champagne, boy

felt

ONE LASTED 30

at

There was one Englishman, however, who fought him Chantilly, France, for 30 rounds ond more than three hours in the rain. His name was Charlie Mitchell, and when at lust the contest was called off, with both Akhters crouching and shivering

it under the downpour, deelded the result should be a draw.

Indeed, by the time the last perspiring load had arrived--the temperature Was 103 in the shade-the one available stand

full. The

3,000 other spectators sat or stood as best they

could.

WOR

all-male audience. The solitary With one exception, It was an

woman present was a friend of Sullivan's ex-burlesque. Ann Livingston, who watched the fight disguised as a mar

Thus began the last Cham- Prize pionship contest under

For 75 Was Ring rules

rounds Sullivan and Kilrain smashed at one another with bare Bisis.

the close

and

At the start Kilrain surprised Champton by coming to

quarter, clinching, then flinging Sullivan to the ground.

This

"disgusted" verdict Sullivan who had done all the pressing; but not as much as the night he spent afterwards in u French prison after being arrested by troop of Frencli mounted polico.

But "John L." was never one to be downhearted for long.

Sullivan retaliated by hurling Kilrain to the boards in the fol- lowing round.

The crowd

de- roared their After being released from golpht

Sullivan was their and they were on payment of a £300 fine, he supreme hero got drunk for three solid weeks. him in the pink. The early both delighted and relieved to BCC Thon-Just (19 suddenly rounds, however, Sullivan's alcoholte Jamboree Kilrain, ended. He wanted, he said, "lo return home sober."

This was in 1888, A year later,

¦

favoured

tore

Johnny Longden (left), the famous American Jockey, with Sir Gordon Richards, Britain's Champion' Jockey who recently announced his retirement from Central Press Photo. riding, at the Doncaster Sales."

Moscow Birthday

Party For Tommy Lawton

1954.

ARMY 2 CLUB

SOLDIERS FIND CLUB TEAM IN AN ENTHUSIASTIC AND ENTERPRISING MOOD

By I.M. MacTAVISH

Well played, Club!! With a side depleted through injuries they pulled out a brand of carefree breezy football that blasted the Army right out of yesterday's game.

Wright and Falconer in the middle line and Gardner up front played brilliant- ly to hold their side together, and they did it, to such good purpose that after the Club got their second goal midway through the second half the result was never really in doubt.

The Army side struck rock VERDICT: Games

.......... the other side won | points bottom and - this must surely with the ball on the field and not filtered away many chances by rank as the most inept display by reputations. Clever play a reluctance to have a quick shot given by a soldiers side in a means nothing if it does, dột at goal, long time: There were weak-produce, goats

conversely All prose to the Club, With... nesses in every department and goals without clover trimmings of Armstrong, Paton, Ball or only Hoyer at left back did will still win games. Ono do Keane they got on with this job anything to enhance his re- got on with the jog of scoring in hand putation.

anklin the end goals and claimed two valuable inilly "merited their victory.

• Too

of the player many seemed to be suffering from a hangover from the Kitchee vic- tory of last week...... They started this game with 4 we can win any imo' complex...but long before the end they were right back on their heels," played almost to a standstill by D virile, enterprising and er- thusiastic Club side

In the early stages of the game the Army played some delightful man-to-man football. They moved the ball about ac- curately but the Club rear lines were scidom in any serious trouble.

to

THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FIRST RACE MEETING - Saturday 9th October & Monday 11th October, 1954. (To be held under the Rules of the Hong Kong Jockey Club) THE PROGRAMME WILL CONSIST OF 19-RACES. The First Bell will be rung at 1.30 p.m. and the First Bape run at, 2.00 p.m. nach day.

The Secretary's Office at Alexandra House will close at 11.45 a.m. each day.

MEMBERS' ENCLOSURE

NO PERSON WITHOUT A BADGE WILL BE ADMITTED, throughout the meeting.

All persons MUST wear their badges prominently displayed

Admission Badges at $10.00 each per day are obtainable through the Scarotary on the written or personal introduction of a Member, such member to be responsible for all visitors introduced by him. Tinna will be obtainable at the Club House if ordered. in advance from the No. 1 Boy (Tel. 72811).

The first suggestion of things to come Was when Falconer wandered upfeld completely, un-

deliver a pile hampered driver that crashed back off the near post with Taylor AWOL.

Gardner eventually put the

NO CHILDREN will be admitted to the Club's premises during Club in the lead with a neat goal when he ran through the the Meeting. For this purpose & Child is a person under the age Army defence unhindered to of seventeen years, Western standard. .: Soviet sports officials today threw a surprise cham-smack the ball into the net..

At this stage the Army de- fence was very much suspect. pagne lunch party for the Arsenal football team with a birthday yesterday. two foot square cake in honour of Tommy Lawton's 35th and they were lucky not to con- cede, another goal just before the interval,

FIZZLED OUT

Moscow, Oct. 6,

The centre-forward said the party, held in the luxury Moskva Hotel in the centre of the city where the defeated Britons are staying, was "a very nice surprise and I appreciated it very much".

The

Ed

ton

seen"

and

the

PUBLIC ENCLOSURE

The price of admission will be 33.00 each per day payable at Gate.

Any person leaving the Enclosure will be required to pay the requisite fee of $3.00 in order to gain re-achnission.

MEALS AND REFRESHMENTS will be obtainable the RESTAURANT,

SERVANTS

Servants must remain in their employer's boxès'except for passing through on their duties. They may on no account use the.. Betting Booths in the Members Betting Hall

CASH SWEEPS

When he visited London he

In the seventh he was Introduced to King Edward

Sullivan's ear with a haymaking then Prince of Wales. The

right hand and then went to took mceling

place In the

carth without being touched,

Ho added that next Saturday, been "an expression of friend-Club defence, with Wright In Club across Fencing

the way on Monday, July 8, 1889, John This was

and perfectly permissible would be the 18th anniversary ship between the British from St James's Barracks, and L. Sullivan took part in the last under Prize Ring rules; but it of the day he turned professional. Soviet people," the story

that Sullivan bore-knuckle fight at Richburg, only increased Sullivan's choler Kocs

Earlier, the Arsenal mon Mr Tom Whittaker. addressed the future King of Mississippi, near New Oricans, to breaking point, and he probeaten 6-0 by the Moscow Arsenal mahager, commented:" England like this:-~

His opponent was the famous tested to the referee.

played more "How are ye, Prince? Glad to Jake Kirain, The contest was As the rounde sped by, it was Dynamo in the packed Dynamo "The Russians

ye."

billed as "for Championship obvious that Kilrain was the Stadium yesterday, had been on like a team then any. I have Then the Prince of Wales, at the World"

Each

man better wrestler. But he was not a three-hour conducted tour of ever

The ornate cathedrale and Later today, Moscow radio keon sportsman,

the deposited a 10,000-dollar side the stronger man; nor could he sumptuous Tsarist palaces of the reported a sports-writer in the muscles in his mighty arms, the stake backing himself to win. hit with the ferocity of John fighter essayed what he doubt- But several

newspaper "Trud" things were to L" In the 13th round Sullivan Kremlin,

for fine passing Kremlin was wonderful Arsenal, icss thought was another plea-happen before John L. Sullivan caught Jake with Kledging guess you'd rather stepped into the ring with Kli- right to the head which lifted

worth the visit," Law-food, stopping. But he added full length got his hands to the for all race meetings, as Through Tickets. Such tickets : will be ' santry,

their "old fashioned" feel them with yer angers than rain. First, before quitting his challenger clean off his feet,

Ater his birthday hunch the tactical defence system on the nose-ch?"

What his Royal Highness re- England for his native Boston,

footballers jostled through the the Dynamo forwards a lot of big new multiple store opposite freedom. the Kremlin to buy souvenirs to Ho mado special mention of play and friendly take home with them tomorrow. the clean equivalent of about £90 In singled out wing-Halves The Russians had given them the spirit shown by both teams and Alex Forbes and Peter Goring roubles for the purpose,

Army officers Half-way through the brus I

and

Individual praise. But Dynamo ordinary Sullivan drank some tea Laced Soviet citizens crowded eagerly were "far superior in speed, with whisky. He was sick and round the Artena: players and he said. Kilra, approaching the cham-walted patiently for the Britons

In Gerraany, Frankfurt IMOWI- suggested that the contest to make their purchases before papers said it was the speed of hould be called

draw.

giving their own orders. Sullivan's reply was charc- The players had slept late not match that had beaten the separated for all time, and I've toristic. He knocked Kilrain fat | this morning, weary after their wrinted detailed reports of, their the du served to emphasise | stating reasons for their action.

plied is not recorded.

10

Although "John L." was proud have met the Prince, his

Valdez Rated The Logical Contender

he made a remarkable statement.

"Several stories have been

QUART OF WHISKY

Kilrain WUB beginning to printed since my return from wit. He was given sips of Chantilly" thundered John Lestimated he drank a quart of whisky between rounda. It was "which have pictured me having returned to my former whisky during the fight habit of drinking. This is a doweright falsehood,

easy

MEDICINAL PURPOSES

gavo

for

The Army started the second half at a faster pace but the form, absorbed the first impetus and the attacks soon thefizzled out.

Wallace brought Pickering down about 35 yards from the Army goal and Falconer lofted

Through Cash Sweep Tickets at $18.00, each for the first day the free kick down the middle. $20.00 each for the second day and $88.00 each for both days may Walters made no move to check be obtained from the Cash Sweep Offices at Queen's Building Gardner and the Club contre gut (Chater Road) and 5 D'Agular Street, during normal office houre his head to the buil to divert it os praising

ind until 11 am, on the first day. away to the right. Taylor at

Particular numbers within the series 1 to 4,000 may be reserved ball and stopped it but Referee

aried consecutively only and the right is reserved by the Stewards Mak, right on the spot.

to cancel any reservation for Through Tickets for a particular mediately awarded a goal.

Another

in the Army Meeting if it is found that sales may not reach the number reserved mix-up rear lines saw the Blue and the series 1 to 4,000.. Whites increase their lead to 3-1. The ball was lifted into the goalmouth. Centre-half Walters jumped to head it but goalkeeper Taylor also went for the ball, He didn't shout, and he and Walters came down in a heap as

The reservation of any particular number does not confer on the ball went off the centre- the registered holder any rights whatsoever unless the ticket-bear- haif's head into the net.ing the appropriate number issued to and can be produced by

Robson put

better a

ap- the holder. pearance on the result with a The Stewards reserve the right to refuse any subscription also late goal the best of the game the right to remove any name from subscription. lits, without

but. it only

of the soldiers'

SPECIAL CASH SWEEPS This is one encounter that history. In

In an Army side that underestimated the spirit and be determination of the opposition only. Hayes

full marks. gois Robson worked like a Trojan but his anishing was far be standard of his op roach work.

Higgins moved the ball well when in posses- sion but was out of the game for

other long spells,...the

Tickets reserved and available but not paid for by 10 am. On the day, preceding the Race Meeting for which they are reserved will be sold and the reservation cancelled for future Meetin

earlier efforts,

Tickets over 4,000 will also be issued consecutively, but par- tiquiar numbers cannot be reserved as Through Tickets.

Tickets for the Special Cash Sweep on the Kwanghung Handi-

ving in which he joined a were swollen to three times the their memory of the ear-splitting "sensation" and the Nation Belge Will, not to down in militaryjj cep scheduled to be run on 9th October 1954, at $2.00, esch, Inay

"I promised my mother a year

the Russjans which Arsenal could ago that drink and I were

Britons East Berlin newspapere Hved up to my vow. I have on his back.

lost battle. But when they woke ensational" defent. touched Just a little for medi- The hands of both men were the post-match comment of In Brussels, several Belgian

bruleed and battered. by now Milwaukee, Wisconsin, cinal purposes, but that is all."

Secondly, after a period of Sullivan wrote later. "My hands Moscow. Radio may have soothed newspapers called the defed: a Oct. 6.

whistles ot. disappointment said it proved that the Con- Cuban Heavyweight travelling circus, John L." was normal size,"

style was better than Kürain

WAS in even worse which had greeted them as they tinental Champion Nino Valdez was suddenly taken ill near Boston

the football produced by the He had fever, stomach tro

trouble, shape.

After the fight he was limped off the field.

English. picked as the only logical

"BOSOM FRIENDS" bed for in such agony he had to be

Austrian newspapers called contender for Rocky Mar- paralysis. He

"Arsenal" made boson friends the match a "debacle" and an world champion two months. When the fever given morphine. ciano's

In the 88th round Sullivan at of the 90,000 spectators", the "overwhelming paralysis began to diminish,

dofent" for heavyweight title in the he could only get about with last railed the challenger. The Radio sald. The match ́ had Arsenal-Reuter.

Asgocin- the help of brutches. He became fattor was National Boxing

going down once Sullivan, who had tion's quarterly ratings re- depressed he began to drink again when

more heavily than ever.

feinted with his left, smashed a leased today by the NBA.

was this sodden ruin which terrifle right uppercut to the. Fred Saddy, Milwaukee Chairs backers somehow had to jaw.

punch. This was the crucial pune man of the NBA's Rating Com-thrash into shape for the most

For the

remaining malitoo, made the announcement important fight of his career. in releasing the ratings.

He was in

rounds It was with considerable re- Kilrain was practically out on luctance that Sullivan allowed his feet. Hewan swaying 60 Saddy, Secretary of the Wis-one of the strictest trainers in much that Mike Donovan, his consin State Athletic Commission, the business

to take him in other second, became alarmed. said that Valdez was the first hand. The

name of this dis Finally, in the 75th round, heavyweight to earn the logical ciplinarion was William Muldoon. after Kilrain had gone down no more than tap, contender's choice since Ezzard Muldoon was quite ruthless. from Charles was given the nod by He agreed to handle the Cham Donovan tossed a sponge into ring: The Bight, which had condition that the the NBA Committee before his pion on one

Sullivan obeyed him implicitly lasted 195 minutes and 75 first fight with Marclano,

a list of Charles now heads

For the next few months rounds in the torrid heat of a outstanding heayles in the rat-Sulivan lived on Muldoon's farm Mississippi midday, was over.

at. Belfast in the state of New York

Archie Moore, Lightheavy- weight Champion, is the only. He did eight miles roadwork Utlist.who does not have ・ * every morning—and ́ ́he lind logical contender, according to always hated roadwork. the NBA.

Not only had John L. Sullivani beaten the second-best white: man' in the work; he had out" punched and outstayed him from start to finish, tha

|_ never was a prize- No There He drank milk. No other fighter like old "John, L. beverages were allowed; not even. Later, a pority, ageing, Sul- "DEADLINE SET.

tea or coffee. MAINLAN

livan lost to James Corbett in He skipped and punched

fraworld-fille. contest Lightweight Champion Sandy bag for hours. He went to bed under

the

Queensberry rules. But Saddler has been warned by the

nine" every night. He was NBA that he must defend his allowed no friends, no tobacco, such was his maumatism that to momor his countrymen,.. and before December 14, other no entertainment, derma

rtainly to every true Trishman still The

the

wlaw the winner of the Percr.kak John La detested every both ARPANEMEN

Basset-Redtop Davis bout wil

photo of it buty gradually, the

be recognised as Champion, fa roll, Shabby

column of French

the

toper disappeared

bis place, stood, the old,

portioned tiger, who the best fighters on

life, after travelling world, mixing with royalty.

aring Ing Incti

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

ORDERS BRIGADE

Ondars, disued by” Mr. Fung Ping-fan, CSJ, Commissioner of St John Ambulance Brigade, Hongkong, District, Order No. | 40/545 Dated October 7, 1954.

Thelter. Bodsty Bizant _Bloopera Dulles--Western, Dist.-October 1964: BCAA NI, DİY

Ehteshmipo K.F.W.A, Ciinia Dation. 9,1051-9,10.55. Shamabulbo Neg. Div.;

KYMCA N Divi; 19.30,M.-16.1034. Waterloo, Big,

the

hardly merit mention,

In

some prod

side that accepted. Club A the long odds as a challenge weight overy

enough for two, Lawson did well in gool, both backs played as if their lives

on the result. Falconer

Η

displays

them

10.1001-54.1524, SCAA, Amb. DIVA Mỏngkak KXW.A. Cilale nien Sound

ROSA PRODE KYMCA, N. DIVI, BU11 : 100 1.024. VoC TIN DIY. 114.10.64 Bbmenulpo. Nag

Cámbulance Duliet Hongkong, -* 17.3044233004 Center Amby IV October 19041 8.C.A,A, NAG. Div..

Date Kowloon Ambulance 11.1056-1740.54, Kong Wats, de las PoAmb Diva; 18/2004-OLION. THY. Sharmahtipo Amb, Div.; October 1904:: „KYMCA, NM. Div.

Beach Bullos-Hongkong---0.1954) #pm, Repulse Bay, Wariobad "A" A/D; Big:Wave" Bay, Western Diak, __Pvnstration:"Squad Duties—10.10.8%. Dr. Iymond J. Wu,Dentist Komets | A/D; Shak=0, Oentes) A20): 40.10.0%,

$30 am, Repulse Bay, Chung in Oni-hon, D/o Leung Yuk-kwalki Monahuen – NĚMS/IDENT $21.15.54. Dr KA/D; Big WAYDAMMY CONbación A/bi Barbara Mao Dentist Wich Awrierit, #hek-O BCAA AD.10.10.30, 130

· Chineway. Ber P/S Ki Yan-ben and lacabana Radi Pug Repules. Bay

KYMCA Dirty Dates for Mainland Area Di Sisko, K.COB A/D 11.134. Bhaskiwac Amb. DIY: 9,1054 Shamahapo" Amb. Div.i

AmbiDIV. 19.10.54.2kmshatrul 11.30.04. KYMCA

Gardner, WELD

mention

gave

and

effort. Up front Pickering

and Woller stars but ...a special goes to reserve goel- keeper Jones for a willing and not unprofitable showing the left wing.

NOTICE NOT

THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB

-on

and

Draft Programmes Entry Forms for the 2nd wisu. | Hace" "Meeting 1954/55 to be

held on Sat

2314 October

$1954.

obtained from the Cash Sweep Offices, and m

The sale of these tickets will close on Friday 8th October af

383, Nathan Road, Kowloon

8, D'Agullar Street

Queen's Bulding, (Chafer Road),

TOTALISATOR

at 4.00 pm

visit (5,00 p,m

at 6.00 p.m.

until after the "all clear" signal has been exhibited,

Backers are advised not to destroy, or throw away their tickets

· ALL WINNING TICKETS" AND TICKETS FOR REFUNDS MUST BE PRESENTED FOR PAYMENT AT THE HACE COURSE ON THE DAY TO WHICH THEY REFER, NOT DATER THAN ONE HOUR AFTER THE TIME FOR WHICH THE LAST RACE OF THE DAY HAS BEEN SCHEDULED TO BE RUN.A

PAYMENTS WILL NOT BE MADE ON TORN OR DIS- FIGURED TICKETS.

Bookmakers, Tic Tas men, etc. will not be permitted to operate within the precincts of the Hong Kong Jockey Club,

By Order of the Bildwards, M."MIGA,

THE HONGKONG JOCKEY CLUB

Special Cash

Kwangtung

SAT

the

STH; OCTOBER, 1954 ,700,000 tickets sold to

The Sale of Cas

8th

on the above: