Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-29
READY TO MEET CORBETT
Formal Announcement Of the Champion
willingness to Fight
BOB FlTzSlHMONS DECLARES HIMSELF
Says lie VIII Sign the Articles rrc-
scented by Dan stuart ns Soon
nS lie Gets 10
New York.

Bob Fitzsimmons with his wife and baby,
Manager Julian and sparring partner, Jack
Hickey, are in the city. Last evening the
celebrated gladiator appeared at Boyd's OPP
era house before one Of the largest crowds Of
spectators that ever assembled there, in his
wundrous bag punching performance and a
four-round bout with Hickey The champion
was accorded great ovation. The party ar
rived here on the 4:45 Burlington train yes
terday afternoon, and in the evening the
sporting editor had brief interview with
Lanky Robert. He never looked better in
his life with fine color, bright eyes and
all the evidences of frst-class condition and
robust health. Fitzsimmons is one Of the
few representatives of the manly art who
is always in proper fettle, 1t makes no diff
ference whether he has any engagements on
hand or not. he is too methodical, too thor
ough and systematic to ever be caught out
of form. He is a fighter of the iuost ster-
ling qualities makes fighting a business and
is ready and eager at all times to defend lis
title.
In response to a query as to whether he
thought the present proposed encouhter with
Jim Corbett the eX-champiOn, would be
go or not, he replied: $50 far as | am con-
Cerned 1t is as sure as if it had al. eGdy
for nearly four years to meet This fellow,
and just why have not been granted tbs
privilege | leave the public to form its own
IDEAS"
"Will you sign the articles to which Cor
bett has put his signature on your ar
rival in New York;"
Just as soon as l get there and have
had a days rest. l always said that
would allow no obstacles to block meet
ing with the eX-champion, and now as
have got him where | want him ! will ac-
cept Dan Stuart's terms without bubble
or argument"
Where do you think the battle ground
will take place?'
"Wel, like yourself think Juarez, Mex
leo, is as likely spot as any, although II
may take place near San Antonio. at Lerado
or at Carson City. | have had a pretty
good tip, recently, that Carson City ia apt
to have the call. But it matters little to
me. Any cid place will do outside of Cali
iornia, ana I'll fight him there if no other
site can be secured"
How about it any way, can you lick
him?"
well now. that's good You know | can
You've seen me whip several men just as
good as he is and If | didn't think so, !
certainly would not ioOpardize my chances
for future glory and fortune by getting
in the ring with him"
and the California aflar?'
"Oh, that is a matter | don't like to talk
about. In the whole history of pugilism
there never was colder case of robbery
That man Sharkey is unworthy of any
honest mans attention. He is not only
crooked to the core, but the rankest speci-
men OF a first class heavy weight fighter !
ever ran across"
Mrs. Fi,zsimmons while she has grown ac-
customed to crowds, is exceedingly coy and
seli-corsCious. but n most agreeable and
charming woman witha. She Is very fond
of her husband and in numerous ways
oynces her pride in his Gstic proves, al
though she is constantly urging him to get
out OF the business Mrs FitzsimmOns Is
evidently very domestic in all her tastes. and
is a woman who would attract attention and
command admiration and respect in any
realm OF society. As to the baby, Charlie,
he is a peach, with his laughing eyes. rosy
cheeks and tumble of sunny, curly hair.