In the Rings of the World.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 24 December 1928, Page 5

In the Rings of the World.

LIFE STORY OF; F. P. SLAVIN. Copyright. Written for the “ Star.”

CHAPTER 13. Gamblers try to fix my fight with Jackson. A gay scene at the National Sporting Club. My fight with Peter Jackson marked the official opening of the National Sporting Club of London. My fight with Jem Smith in Belgium sounded the “ Last Post ” for bare knuckle fighting, and my meeting with Joe M’Auliffe won freedom for the Marquis rules. Now I was to be one of the principals in the first big bout staged by the club which was organised to foster boxing in England and prevent the introduction of any rough elements which might work to the disparagement of the sport. The National Sporting Club has done more, in my opinion, to bring boxing to the forefront of world sports than any other organisation I know of.' Its membership has always comprised the finest and highest types of sportsmen in the British Isles. They have insisted on clean boxing and never hesitate to frown upon unsportsmanlike acts. I did my training for the fight at Dovercourt and. after a stiff ' work-out one afternoon, a visitor was announced. He proved to be one of the biggest “ bookies ” of that period—l will not mention his name as he is now dead. He requested a private interview, which I granted. “ Look here. Slavin,” he began. “ The betting is strongly in your favour for the fight. In most quarters you are quoted at 2—l, while in some circles the odds have gone as high as 4—l. You count on knocking out Jackson but I’m not so sure that you can. Jackson is a better boxer, so why not let the bout go the limit. That would surely give Jackson the decision on points and there would be no disgrace lor you.” Oat to Win. “ I know Jackson is a better boxer than I am. but I’m a far stronger hitter and I intend to stop him,” I replied. “ Just to show you how confident I am I have bet £IOOO that I’ll knock him out. There’ll be no fixing around here.” “ I’ll give you £3500 if you'll say that Jackson will win,” he coaxed. “ It can’t be done,” I assured him. The next day the “ bookie ” was back again and raised the price to £4500. He hung around for some time, but I finally told him he had better leave. I had alwavs fought on the level and I intended to do so until my gloves were laid awav. I journeyed to London on the day of the fight and Charlie Mitchell was among those who met me at the station. I had asked Charlie to second in this important fight. I did not Wish to take chances on inexperienced toen in my corner. Mitchell was almost in tears. “ They’ve ruled me out as your second.” he confided. “What for?” I asked. I learned that Charlie had committed one of his rash acts at the National Sporting Club. He had thrown a glass ft wine in the face of George Piesse,

one of my backers and one of the pillars of the club.

Mitchell, with all his faults, was the greatest secon-’ I ever knew. He was a keen observer, a capable adviser and possessed of sound ring judgment. His advice between rounds was invaluable and I never questioned his instructions. “ Thev’ve ruled me out all right, but a word from you will fix it," argued Mitchell. “If you insist that Ibe in your corner they will have to let me “ I don't want to fall out with Lord Lonsdale and Piesse,” I told Charlie. “ They’ve been good friends to me and under the circumstances you’d better stay out. I know I ought to have you in my corner, but I don’t want to make any fuss.” Mitchell was downcast. While he was anxious to be my second it was the fact that he could not see the fight that hurt him most. I cheered him up a bit by sending him to order supper for two at Romano’s in the Strand. I thought it would be a nice place to dine after I had whipped Jackson. But Mitchell was destined to send a very lonely night. I never went to Romano’s for that supper. Mv brother Jack. Tommy Burrows and Tommy Williams, light-weight champion of Australia, agreed to be my seconds in place of poor old Charlie. A Bottle of Brandy. While in my dressing room I received a sixty-five-year-old bottle of brandy direct from the cellar of Lord Lonsdale. His Lordship always made it a practice of sending me a bottle of his particular ancient brand before each fight in which I was to appear. I took one-third of the bottle of brandy and mixed it with two-thirds of water. The mixture I took to my corner between rounds, rinsed out my mouth with it and had a small swallow. It livened me up in case the going was strenuous.

The National Sporting Club presented a very gay scene that night. The members, each of whom was permitted to invite two friends, were in evening dress. About eight hundred white shirt-fronts flashed out from their settings of black suits. Monocles and twin glasses sparkled in the bright light. Dukes bowed to commoners and lords nodded to fight celebrities. Every man was finely groomed. I was told that the Prince of Wales, the late King Edward VII., was in attendance, but I did not recognise him. I had previouslv met the Prince at the Newmarket Jocke” Club. I was playing billiards with Sir George Chetwind when the Prince took a seat near our table. When we had finished Sir George introduced me to his Royal Highness. “You’re not only a good boxer but a good billiards player,” the Prince said. “ I ought to be,” I admitted. “ It's cost me enough and I like the game.” “One would never think, to look at ou, that you were a boxer,” continued the Prince, by way of a compliment, I guess. “T pride myself on being an all-

round athlete,” I replied. “ I’ve played in the Australian cricket team, can pull a good oar and can run the hundred in eleven seconds, as well as handle my fists.” Mv supporters made a determined effort to have me formally received by the Prince of Wales. The honour had been extended to John L. Sullivan on his visit to England several years before. It was felt that I, being a colonial, should be similarly treated. The papers, however, made a big fuss over the matter. Some them thought it was lowering the status of royaltv to have it entertaining prizefighters. As a result I never went a-calling on the Prince. (To be continued.)