The San Francisco call., 1896-03-01
WITH APPLAUSE
AND FLOWERS,
How Bob Fitzsimmons Was
Received by the
Sports.
MAHER ALSO ON HAND,
And Boxed Three Lively Rounds
With the Man Who Put
Him to Sleep.
PUT HIM OUT, PETER" SHOUTED
The Present Champion Would Neither
Make a Speech Nor Accept
Challenge.
PUT HIM OUT, PETER" SHOUTED

NEW YORK, N. Y, Feb. GA big
crowd of sporting men gathered in Madi-
son-souare Garden tonight despite the
inclemencv of the weather. "Bob" Fitz-
simmons, the famous middle and heavy
weight champion, was the magnet that
drew upward of 1000 spectators around the
roped arena. They not only had the op-
portunity of seeing the hero of the latest
fstic battle pitted against couple of good
heavy-welghts but he also spared three
friendly rounds with the man he bested
in Mexico few days ago. The authori-
under Inspector Brooks on hand to prevent
anything like fighting, -
Fitzsimmons, accompanied by his wife
and party, arrived in the garden about
o'clock and the champion received salvo
of applause. Brady, Corhett's manager,
repeatedly waved roll of bills which he
said contained $4,000 and tried to shout a
challenge to Fitzsimmons, but the cheer
ing drowned his voice.
Fitzsmmons raised his hat in acknowl-
edgment of his reception. A hoarse voice
from the gallery cried out: "Corbett
won't do thing to YOU" Fitzsimmons
appeared angry.
Peter Maher came in before o'clock.
Tim Hurst had charge of the stage, and
Harry Cornish of the New Manhattan
Athletic Club held the watch. Harry
Petersen and Denny Marshall started the
fun with a four-round set-to. Then two
colored champions from Moine.ta Lane,
Louis Brodie and r. Billop, pounded each
other to their hearts content, and were
followed by Matt Matthews and Dick
Behrens, who exchanged very few love
taps.
Paddy McGuggin of Newark and Johnny
Banks of New York, colored, rehearsed
their little "act." Then Joe Harmon and
Marty Delaney went four rounds, and gave
way to Billy Lee and Harry Force, who
gave lively exhibition.
Paddy Purtell, the Kansas City welter-
weight, tapped Tommy West almost at
will
Ernest Roeber. the champion wrestler,
and William Marx followed in Greco:
Roman wrestling bout, which was won by
the former.
A very fast and scientific bout between
Jack Everhart and Billy Vernon, the
"Haverstraw brickmaker," followed.
Bob in bag-punching exhibition. Mar
tin Julian was in the ring with him. There
was a storm of applause and cries of
speech" American Beauty roses were
showered upon Fitzsimmons while he was
giving his exhibition. Fitzsimmons
punched and the crowd roared. Finally
with one terrific swing the burly Cornish
man sent the sphere flying away into
the middle OF the crowd.
Fitzsimmons put on the. gloves and
started a three-roUnd bout with Paddy
Brennan. Fftzsimmons' powerful right
rained taps with lightning CELEBRITY on
Paddy's body and the unerring left was
busy on his head. But the champion was
very tolerant and his taps were love-taps
indeed.
The appetite OF the spectators was
whetted to degree when the announcer
stated that Fitzsimmons would wind up
with Maher. The Irishman has evidently
not lost his hold on the hearts of the
crowd. for he was cheered to the echo as
he stepped into the ring. Before Peter got
on the gloves Fitzsimmons stepped across
the ring and shook hands with his late foe.
Maher's eyes were still swollen and in
famed. Peter blinked when he faced
Fitzsimmons. and the latter iabbed him
on the mouth. Right and left the cham
pion shot out and caught Peter on both
sides of the head. The Irishman closed,
delivering left lightly on the body and
after some sparring the one-minute round
closed.
The second round was lively and both
did some fast work. Maher's supporters
in the audience were loud in their exhor-
tations to Maher to KNOCK him out,
Peter" was frequently heard.
The third round was quite as friendly as
the others, but the love-taps were by no
means gentle. They clinched frequently,
and once Fitzsimmons sent a straight LETT
on Maher's chin and the Irishmap's head
went back. just as the bell sounded they
were clinched and showed no signs of
breaking.
1t was stated that Brady. on behalf of
Corbett, and Quinn. on behalf of Maher,
challenged Fitzsimmons after the exhibi-
ton was over. Martin Julian refused to
affirm or deny the statements. Both Fitz-
simmons and Julian declined to make q
speech, although there were loud and fire.
auent calls therefor from the spectators.