The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-06

James Is Willing, but Robert
Says 1t Must Be a Fight to
a Finish.
Julian Says That Corbett Is Bluftng,
and That He Should Accept
Stuart's Off.r.

The OLYMPIC Club is in the field as a
bidder for a contest between Bob Fitz-
simmons and James J. Corbett.
The directors met last Friday evening
and instructed William Kennedy, the
superintendent, and Howard Taylor, the
indefatigabe leader of the club, to go
ahead and consummale match between
those two famous opponents OF the manly
art ii possible.
A telegram was Immediately sent to
Corbett IN New York, stating that the
club would allow him $1,000 expenses and
give purse OF $40, 600 for ten-round con-
fest between him and Fitzsimmons, which
contest must be held in this City under
the clubs auspices.
Last evening a reply was received from
Corbett which read as follows:
If you will give purse of $15,0 900 will
talk business Answer and tell me best offer
VIII cost me considerable TO bring trainers TO
San Francisco ~ CoRBETT.
Messrs. Kennedy and Taylor left the
club last evening purposely to see Julian
and Fitzsimmons in the matter and get
their answer to the offer, but when CALL
representative saw Julian at late hour
last evening he said that he had not seen
any person from the Olympic Club, and
did not know anything about the pro-
posed purse.
You can state, however" said Julian,
THAT we will do nothing in the way of
matchmaking until this Sharkey and
Ftzsimmons affair is settled.
Regarding Corbett's actions l must say
that they are very puzzling. a few
months ago he came out openly and said
that if Filzsimmons wanted to meet him
it must be in finish fight or not at all.
When he found that Dan Stuart had ar
ranged to carry off fight to finish free
from police interference, he turned tail
and accepted an offer made 10 him by
some New York club 10 fight FitZ a
TWEEN ty-round contest. Now he makes
. another move and states his willingness
to fight in this City. when he knows only
too well that Fitzsimmons has accepted
Stuarts terms to fight to finish on Texas
soil.
"What kind of in-and-out-work do you
call this?
NOW, don't care where the contest is
held, so long as it is TO a finish. L have
every reason to believe that Fitz would be
accorded fair and honorable treatment by
the Olympic Club of this City, but that's
not the question at issue. have already
given my word and honor to Dan Stuart
that he has the first call on FitZsim mons
and l do not propose to break my word.
In case Stuart should fail to carry out his
agreement, then l will talk business with
the Olympic Club il that organization can
arrange for finish fight
Now, Mr.. Julian, if Corbett should re-
fuse the offer made by Stuart for finish
fight, what do you propose to do IN the
premises?"
"Why, what can we do? Isn't that evil
dence sufficient TO prove that this stiff,
Corbett, does not want to fight Bob? In a
ten-round contest, supposing he should
act in the manner he did with Sharkey
when the sailor had him pumped out
you know he Rugged Sharkey for dear
Iife-he may use those same tactics and
hold out to the end. Oh, no! 1t must be a
finish fight or nothing"
Fitzsimmons was enjoying canvasback-
duck dinner at the Baldwin when he was
appraised of the Olympic Clubs offer and
Corbett's acceptance to a $751; 900 purse.
FitZ looked a bit surprised at first, but,
after he had taken a couple of short jabs
with the steel at the ribs" of the duck,
he muttered something about Corbett
which would not sound pleasant to the
ears of the champion if he happened to De
within hearing distance.
81 don't want to bother myself about
what do you call him-the champion, did
you say2
ooh, we'll. 1 guess he is the champion
talker all right, but he won't fight me,
and he has proved that in more ways than
one Why don't ne accept Dan Stuart's
offer? Isn't it good enough for him
Well, pshawl I'm losing my appetite talk
ing about that fellow.
f'Will I fight him in the Olympic Club
Eyes, I'll fight him anywhere on tor
OF Gods green earth if the match is to
off the first punch I'll hit MIN. But he