The times., 1897-03-24
A MEETING OF jim AND BOB
They Talked Over Their Plans Qui.
city in San Francisco Bar.
Fitz Declines Challenge-The Two
Ordered NOn-Intoxicants and
Exchanged Compliments.

San Francisco, Cal, March 23.-James
| j. Corbett and Robert Fitzsimmons will
never meet in the prize ring for another
championship battle. The question was
practically decided this morning when the
two pugilists met in the barrooln of the
Baldwin Hotel and talked over their plans
quietly and dispassionately There were
no threatening gestures and no loud talk.
Corbett waited all the morning for u
meeting and when Bob arrived from Sacra
mento Jim asked him if he would take
q drink.
Il don't mind" said Bob.
They walked to the barron and both
ordered non-intoxicants. They were in-
mediately surrounded by curious crowd
How do you Ieel?" asked Corbett.
~ feel all right" answered Bob. "My
arms are a little sore and stiff, and my
thumb is very sore. The doctor says it
is broken A."
Il Injured my left thumb early in the
game, I" said Corbett, when 1 caught you
on the forehead"
Mine was hurt in the second round, -
said Bob, when l swung on your head
and landed too far around"
II tell you, Bob, people told me you We're
slow and easy. / wish those men who told
me had been in front of you op March
II. You won and beat me fairly and
squarely" 'h
"weli,'' replied Fitzsimmons, "I can as
sure you that you are the cleverest man
i ever met in my life
II want TO fight you again. said Cor
bett.
You must talk to my manager, answer
ed Fitz
Julian, overhearing the remark, replied
that Bob had done enough fighting.
"He mas fought more than any man liv
ing during a space OF seven years., said
Julian, land he will not fight again If
can rule. His wife wants him TO retire and
he will do So
Then l am TO understand that there is
not another chance for me?' said Corbett
"I don't think So" replied Julian
well, all right remarked Corbett, In
a very down-hearted way; but l should
like 10 have one more try You fought
Maher twice; why not give ME another
chance?'
Because | have retired" said Fitzsim-
mons, "ani / am going TO settle down "
The conversation then turned To the
past fight Corbett showed his LEFT hand,
which was considerably swollen, and Fitz-
simmons right thumb is still bandaged
The crowd had now become so thick
that Corbett asked Bob and Julian 10 step
TO one side to talk privately concerning a
second fight and they moved TO the settee
and spoke in whispers. Their conversil-
tion was very short and evidently disap-
pointing to Corbett, Judging from his looks.
al
quietly at a table in the cafe and dis
cussed his plans for the future with
representative of the United Associated
Presses.
II don't think Fitzsimmons and l will
ever get together again." said jim. He
is evidently sincere in his determination TO
retire AS said before, l was in shape to
put up the best fight of my life the day
went against Fitz in Carson, although he
defeated me fair and square.
You must a admit, though, and he admits
himself, that gave him the worst punch
ing be ever got in his life. / hurt my hands,
but aside from that didn't carry marx
In other words, ! was the best man and
put up the best fight until he caught me
that heart punch and shut off my wind
There will always be doubt in the public
mind as to WHO Is The best man, and Ia
give all l Iossess in the world to get an
other show at him. If he really means to
retire and does not fish after any soft
marks l will let him enjoy his victory in
peace, but should he take on another man
before giving me d chance to even the
score you will see trouble.
THE Olympic Club boys are going to
give me testimonial next week in the
clubrooms. Then | shall open up in oak.
land with my show. We will follow up the
route to the East, playing in all leading
cities and winding up in New York about
the time FitZ reaches there
Martin Julian is greatly annoyed over the
actions of one n. c. HaIler, who has been
representing himself as FitZsimmons' ad
vance agent. Julian declares that Haller
has no connection with the Fitzsimmons
aggregation.