The herald., 1896-02-25
London Sporting Clubs Offer
Purses for Contests
FITZSIMMONS DECLINES
Because Pompsdour Jim Lacks Suffi.
eient Reputation
Ell Paso Citizens Hope for Big rlill Next
Year They Have the Ground
Handy

Associated Press Special Wire.
LONDON, Feb. 24.-Manager Fleming of
| the National Sporting club said that under
no circumstances would they subscribe a
| cent for a contest in which Corbett was one
of the principals, but it was added that any
| other American pugilists might apply with
| fair prospects to arrange match. The
objection to Corbett is based on the bitter
tongue-lashing he gave the National Sport
ing Climb when he returned to the United
States after his appearance here.
Secretary Stevens of the Bolingbroke
club said they would give purse OF $4,000
for Fitssimmons and Corbett to compete
for and allow the contestants 500 each
for expenses. Should Fitzsimmons fail t
accept promptly Frank Slavin stands ready
to meet Corbett before the Bolingbroke
club. Slavin has already in the Sporting
Life offered to meet Fitzsimmons for $4,000
q side in England, or he vii bet $4,000 he
can stop Corbett in six rounds.
Manager Fleming was surprised when
informed this evening that the Boiling
broke club offered purse OF $4,000 for a
contest between Fitzsimmons and Corbett.
He said since he announced the deterrni-
netion of his club not to put up a cent for
a contest in which Corbett was one OF the
principals, the matter had been reconsid-
cred and decision reached that If Corbett
will apologize the National Sporting club
will offer purse for match between
him and Fitzsimmons.
1t looks as though there would not be
much difficulty for Corbett and Fitzsim-
mons to get chance for fight in En-
gland under good auspices If both of them
really want TO fight. The National Sport
ing club last night showed a decided dis
ftr,v1 fr~ nfaf TO W
Corbett for the sake of securing the big
fight. How much they were influenced in
this by the fact that the Bolingbroke club
had offered purse of $4,000 for the fight
| must be left to surrnise.
Manager Fleming appeared before the
club last evening at the close of the glove
contests and announced he had received
information that Corbett had made an
offer of an apology to the club. He asked
the opinion of the members present on the
subject.
There was much evident conflict of
opinion shown on the whole matter and
some excitement, particularly when the
question of a referee was mooted.
1t was finally agreed to accept the ex-
champions apology, providing a match
was ratified. But the club rejected Cor
belts suggestion of an American referee,
CoBBETT IS WILLING
CLEVELAND, o., F sb. 24.--James J. Cor
bett was shown an Associated Press dis
patch from London stating the Bolingbroke
club would give purse of $4,000 and
$500 expenses for q match between HIM
self and Fitzsimmons. Corbett said: 1.-THE
Associated Press may state if the Boiling
broke club will forward articles of agree
ment to me will sign them without delay.
As to the bluff made by that second-rater,
Slavin, who has been defeated about fifty
times, more or less, shall pay no atten-
ton to him. In fact. will listen to no
proposition from now on except one that
will result in q fight between Fitzsimmons
and myself. He is the man people want
] will deposit as much money as the Boil
inRbroke club desires to guarantee my sim
cerity, and anxiousiy await some further
word from the officers of that organiza-
tion." Corbett added: 'Now mark what
say. Fitzsimmons will never meet me.
advertising he expects to get out of it,"
In reference to The London cablegram in
which it was stated that the London Ma
tioual Sporting club would offer purse
for match between Corbett and Fitzsim-
mons, providing the former would apollo
gize for his utterances concerning the club,
Corbett said this evening:
''If Fitzsimmons will agree to meet me
before the National Sporting club, I will
make ample apology to that organization,
although do not think have ever done or
said anything for which I should apollo.
eize. However, I am determined to leave
no stone unturned in the endeavor to bring
about contest between Fitzsimmons and
myself. There is one provision, however.
that shall insist upon, and that is that
the referee shall be all American.
II stand ready to close up my show on
two weeks notice, and will 60 into active
training just as soon as articles are signed
for the fight.
.There are some people," continued
Corbett, "who right from the start of my
| career in the ring have abused me and
| doubted that was honest in everything
| that ever said or did. These same peo.
ple are the ones who are sneering at nv
| present standing challenge to Fitzsimmons
and say will never fight. I will fight if
Fitzsimmons gives me the chance. He
will not accept my challenge because he
wants to, but because the public will force
| him into 1t eventually.
II don't know what Etzsinmons' plans
for the future are, but wherever he goes !
will go and he will finally have to meet
! me. There will be no fiukes then; you can
bet on that. 1 am not par icular abou,
money for match. ] want to beat this
imitation fighter whether there is a cent
| in it or not. My forfeit money of $1,000
is up in Chicago, and it will stay up until
| Fitzsimmons covers it.
"There is a whole lot of gossip in circu
| lation about my condition. / am as good
| a. ever ] was, and could get into as gooc
condition as was in any fight l was evel
| in. The yarns about my dissipation ano
the marks of it being left on me are al
buncombe. You can zee for yourself tina
am looking pretty good for mon tba
will never fight again."