Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-19

few words regarding Fitzsimmous here. What
1 want to point out Is shat the Australian. like
all other latter-day champions, rfamps rough
shod over all customs and rules as soon
as they become the alleged champions.
They all have an idea, at least they
talk as il they had, that they have
perfect right to dictate e any terms to anyR9ay 1
simmons nor anybody else has right TO retain
any championship under any such conditions.
This Is Just as true as the fact that we are
living In the first place there are rules as to
weight which Fitzsimmons must abide bv. and
he has no right TO insist that the stakes or
purse Shall be an extraordinary amount. Were
it rule tnat nobody could fight for the cham
pionship except for purse or stake of notless
than SIC. 600, there would be no hope for poor
man, no matter if he was the best man the
world ever produced. On the other hand. it
would be possible for a man to retain the
championship. not because he was the best
fighter. but because nobody else was able to
raise the big sum of $4,000 Well, happily, there
in these matters. FitZsimmons has right to
fight Smith for $1,000 side Just as Dempsey
was required TO fight Reagan for that amount.
True, the amount may look small when COM
pared with the big purses of recent times, but
it is fair btcause it gives all men chance. l
really don't think that Fitzsimmons ever
fought for 81. .000 in bona fide stake money. He
and Dempsey each had 81 900 forfeit up for
their battle, but Fitzsimmons drew his down
on the night of the fight, and even de-
clined to bet it. And In face of this
a purse of $4,000. $4,000 or $4,000 Such talk
is simply preposterous. Fitzsimmons may be
frst-class man, but he must only demand fair
conditions. 1 am inclined to believe that he is
not.anxious to secure fight. OF course, that
is his business, bot il he wants contest he
won't insist on tho outrageous terms of big
stakes or purses. 1t also may be his business
to hold back from any fight as long as possible,
SO as to reap all the benefit attending his repu-
tation, but he ought not to try and prevent
others from making name. Fitzsimmons will
fight Smith
backdown.
Will They Fight
Amid all the talk about battle between
Smith and Fitzsimmons it is very problematical
whether or not they will ever come together.
Fitzsimmons' demands are SO rigid that it may
be no club will grant them. Smith is willing to
fight at ISL pounds, even under Queensberry
rules but the Australif along with this de-
mands purse of $4,000. The latter condition
is simply monstrous. mean 1t is monstrous if
Fitzsimmons declines to fight for any less than
that. If he does he cannot by any means re-
main champion, and Smith will then have the
right to claim the title for whatever it may be
worth. Really, don't think Fitzsimmons
is eager to fight Smith, because on Thursday
evening the latter talked in very plain
and emphatic way to the antpodean. Smith is
the most likely man in the country to meet
Fitzsimmons and if ever they meet, and Smith
Is in good condition. have an idea that FitK-
simmons will come out second best. l am not
at all impressed with the build; he is not built
like slayer or like man who could stand the
punishment of long and hard contest OF
course many people also claim that his color is
against him. The old tradition is that "red-
headed men are not game" I have never
placed much credence in that old notion be-
cause all the gamest men have known in all
branches of sport have been of the "carroty-
hair" kind. But there is reason for the old
notion. As a rule a red-headed man bleedS
much more copously than a dark complex
ioned man. because the skin of the former is
thinner: the red-headed man, therefore, asa rule,
becomes weaker sooner tnan the man of dark
complexion and that is all there is connected
with it. But mean that FitxSimmonS' body is
not built like the body of a slayer and if he
should take part in a ng-drawn-out battle Of
a severe kind and come out victorious 1 would
be very much surprised. Well, thel question
simmons. If he is reasonable Smith will tackle
him.
Priddy and Darrin.
Some time ago ventured the opinion that a
race would be arranged between Peter Priddy
and Harry Darrin. The men have now signed
articles to run three-mile race for 81, 900 side
and the race is take place in this city Decora-
tion Day. A contest between these men is sure
TO be interesting, but I have an Idea that
Priddy should be able to defeat Darrin in a
three-mile race. The truth is think Priddy
can defeat any man in the world at that dis
tance. He is a remarkable runner, but so is
Darrln. The latter is thought very well of by
some good judges in New York, but Priddy
also has some very shrewd men behind him.
At any rate, there is every reason to believe
that the contest will be on its merits and that
the best man will win Priddy, 1 understand
is in active training. and if he defeats Darrin
ne viii then have to tackle the EDglishman at
one mile PRINGLE