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Alf. Greenfield is the latest pug. who looks for death or glory at the hands of the champion slogger, Sullivan.
Greenfield has been invited over to the States by that enterprising newspaper proprietor, Richard K. Fox, who guarantees that the “purse” for which this “international fight” is to be fought shall be worth at least £1000, and throws out mysterious hints that it may be as good as £2000. Greenfield is, immediately upon his arrival, to formally challenge Sullivan, who will thus (says Mr. Fox) be driven into the position either of accepting the challenge or of putting down his flag as the champion of the world.
Arrangements will be made for the battle to take place in Louisiana, within easy distance of New Orleans. After the contest with Sullivan has taken place, Greenfield, if still alive and victortious, will be ready to fight Charles Mitchell for a purse of probably £2000. In any case, Fox will back Greenfield in whatever contests he may enter. Knifton, an English pro. who dubs himself “Champion of England,” stated through the newspapers that he would like to have a shy at Greenfield, or, failing that, to back Massey, a man Knifton had recently defeated; to which Greenfield replied that previous engagements would prevent him accepting Mr. Knifton’s kind offer, but that if Knifton would only go out to America he (Greenfield) would bind himself to fight him anywhere, anywhen, and anyhow. “In the meantime,” says Greenfield, with scathing irony, “I would advise him to have a little more practice with lads. I will try to teach him what a man can do with him.”
Knifton’s reply was both personal and autobiographical. He traversed most of Greenfield’s statements, and informed him that he (Knifton) is 6ft. 2in. high and 14st. in weight; that he has offered to run and jump any 14st man in the world; that he has defeated a 14st. amateur champion, Queensberry rules, for endurance and 50 guineas; that he has never been defeated in a match; that he is open to box any man in the world, any style.
The corollary to these propositions is that Greenfield should try and take down Knifton’s number before engaging with Sullivan. To this end, Knifton declares that he will pay his own expenses to New York, and will then box Greenfield for £100, just to show the American public what he can do. |
The Referee, New South Wales, Australia |
