The evening times., 1896-02-29
STATUS OF The PUGILISTS
Corbett's Reason for Insisting on a
Speedy Meeting With Fitz.
Once Matched W 18th the Present Chani-
UiOn, He VIII Have Plenty of Ma
terial to Advertise Himself

The New York Telegram has this to say
IN regard 10 Corbett: The pugilistic
status OF Fitzsimmons has not changed in
the last two years. He had then whipped I'll
The men now numbered among his victims.
His physical condition was about the same
then as now, and lie Possessed the same
scientific ability. TLeIcioIc ii IrzZ.es the
public 10 know why CCrbctt was so dis
dainful of Fitz's claim for a match then,
and is 80 tearfully eager at the present
time.
The explanation is easy. Corbett then
felt confident of his ability 10 hold the
title and snecr at every challenger, mean-
while gathering in the ducsts on the
theatrical circuit. When pressed closely
by Mahcr and FitZsimmons the alleged
champion showed how little he cared for
the title by handing il over 10 the unworthy
Maher, prcferring a forfeit TO fight. Now
that Fitz has demonstrated Mahcr's un-
worthiness and stands as the only fighting
champion in America, Corbett is yelling
al the Australian to make a match.
That's all Corbett wants. Matched with
Fitzsimmons the Californian knows he will
aagin be in the public eye, and his theatrical
business receive q boom. FitZsimmons has
done more fighting with good men in the
last few years than Corbett has in his
entire lifetime. and the Australian is en-
titled TO a rest. He will eventually fight
Corbett and beat him. but he should not per-
init the theatrical 'fakcr' to boom his bust
ness by means OF speedy match that may
not come off for months.
Proof of the insincerity OF the ex-cham-
pion is furnished by his own mouth. He
wired Fitzsimmons a proposition to bet him
as a side stake any amount from 81 900 up
TO 100000. Corbctt said last night:
'Fitzsimmons' agreement to the second
postponement at E. Paso resulted from the
decision of a jury of sporting men.
jury might decide if he is afraid to fight
me or not. or if he has any sensible excuse
for not doing 1t. don't think the size of
the purse or any side bet is being considered
by the Australian because he knows that
all he will get of the encounter will be
good hard whipping and the losers end OF
the purse -
II don't think Bob's next fight will
take place in England" says Julian.
Fitzsimmons' manager, in the New York
Sun. Il have an idea that If a fight is
arranged it will come off at Juarez. When
L litN "'it Sicuht ioi
a big athletic club, and GOV. Alhumada has
practically granted concession to the
organization. Bob wants to fight in
America. lie is an American citizen, and
the American champion, and does not be-
lieve in having contests Of Importance
decided in a foreign country. Now, if
we should agree to fight abroad, what
chance would Americans have to see the
bers only, and they tolerate only a few
outsiders. It's very strange that Cor
bett, who has always pretended to be
American, with a dash of Irish in him,
should want to fight in England. The
only thing am afraid of, if they meet, is
that Corbett will not be in good physical
shape TO withstand Bob's blows"
at Is true that FitZsimmons said be
would fight anybody in the world after
he defeated Maher" Julian continued. but
what he meant by that was he would
fight a man worthy of Fits steel, which
Corbett, in our opinion, is not. He dictated
to us a short time ago, and now that we
have the upper hand, we are going to do the
same. It's no use talking, for Corbett is
afraid to fight anybody, and he couldn't
be dragged into the ring with Bob with a
yoke of oyen.''
Julian further said that he discovered
that the ring which Mahcr and Fitzsimmons
fought in was only an eighteen-foot one.
He thinks that this was made expressly
so as to permit Maher to rush Fitz at an
advantage. Julian further said that Fitz
weighed only 81 1-2 pounds when he faced
Naher, which he thinks is the lowest
weight at which a heavyweight champion
ship battle has been Won.
Fitz's party intends to travel through
England, Ireland. Scotland, Wales, France,
Spain, Germany and may be gone year.