The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-03-18
WILLIAM A. BRADY AND MARTIN
JULIAN DISCUSS THE RULES
OF THE FIGHT
JULIAN FINALLY GAVE WAY 70
Referee Siler's Interpretation of the
Rules, Assuming to Have Made a
Great Sacrifice-A Long Wrangle
Preceded the Agreement

| Carson. New. March IA long con
| ference, which, at times, nearly resulted
m spelling all chances of the big fight
being pulled off, was held this morning
between Martin Julian, representing
| Fitzsimmons, and William a. Brady, fol
the Marquis of Queensbery rules, and
the end was that Julian, after objectins
strongly to the right of the referee tC
make any ruling whatever before the
men entered the ring and against hitting
onearm free and on the break-aways
gave way entirely and consented that
the men should hit with one arm free
and on the break-aways.
The fight will, therefore. be fought in
accordance with the Interpretation of the
Marquis of Queensbcry rules made by
Referee Siler.
1t was at the close of Il stormy confer
ence that the agreement was reached.
Brady at the outset said that Corbett
was willing to abide by the Judgment of
the referee. whatever that decision
might be. The champion, he said, was
willing to fight just as Sier said Julian.
on the other hand. maintained that there
was no right vested in the referee to
make any ruling whatever before the
men were ready to fight. He claimed
that Fitzsimmons had always fought Il
good. clean. fair fight" and in all his
+,.rl,t 81, I'LL
arms free and that the break-awayS had
been clean. Corbett. he said. had won
the championship of the world in a fight
conducted under such methods. and such
methods as were good enough to win the
championship were good enough to de-
fend it,
i"Fitzsimmons. | say. frankly" said
Julian. lis not experienced in hitting with
one arm free. He has always fought
his battles fairly. and he wants to fight
this one fairly. We can give in on this
and if Corbett is not willing
10 fight with clean break-aways we are
willing to fight under the rules of the
London prize ring"
That is a good thing" said Brady.
You say that Fitzsimmons is not accus-
toned to anything but the most open
vet he is willing to fight under
the London prize ring rules, which allow
of wrestling. hitting with one arm free,
biting. gouging and heaven knows what.
If he is not willing to fight with one arm
free. it is queer that he should be will
ling to fight under rules that admit that
and a great deal of the same kind that
is worse"
I'VE want it understood" said Julian.
whether it is to be Marquis of Queens
berry or London prize ring rules"
The argument went on. each man
firmly intrenched in his position. while
Dan Stuart sat listening. his hair turn
ing grey while he saw all chances of the
a mere technicality.
Siler took part in the argument. and
he and Julian went over the same ground
that Brady and Julian had Travelled over
before. Over and over it they went.
going around in a circle and winding up
at practically the same point every time,
Julian insisting that hitting with one arm
free and on the break-awayS was not
strictly Marquis of Queensbery rules.
and Siler insisting it was the very es-
sence Of the Marquis of Quccnsbcry
rules. Finally Julian said:
well, | will make this propositions
| am willing to leave it to Mr.. Stuart
and abide by his decision"
'lDH lulIIh am NuIpilbt VI
u technically in prize ring rules" said
Dan Stuart. land | hardly care to I'M
dertake to make this decision"
Then | am willing to agree to leave
the matter with YOU and Silcr," said
Julian. although Silcr has already de-
clarcd himself on the question"
This suited Brady and the jury retired,
returning in few minutes with the an
nouncement that they had decided to
uphold the Interpretation of the rules
made by Mr.. Siler. Julian hesitated for
some minutes and then gave way.
Il want to say, gentlemen" he said,
that in all his former fights Fitzsim-
mons has always given up everything,
and he will do it now. He will fight I'M
der the rules ms .Sler constructs them,
even if we don't like it,
1t was after 1 O'Clock when the con-
ference opened. Three o'clock was the
hour set. but Julian was somewhat late
i'll arriving. Stuart's Office was found
To be too small to accommodate the
newspaper men and sporting men. and an
adjournment was taken to Odd Fellows
hail.
Julian opened the talk by saying to
Brady:
Il wanted to see you about one or two
things in these rules that do not seem
TO be right Rule | says it is to be a
fair stand up battle in 24-foot ring. and
rule = says that no hugging or wrestling
is to be allowed. but Mr.. Siler says,
quoting rule II of the Marquis of Queens
berry rules, the contest to be in all re-
spects to be governed by the London
prize ring rules. | consider that one of
the most important of the twelve rules.
and it appears to have been the bone of
contention in almost every contest. 1t
has been the custom of referees, myself
included. to inquire of principals whether
they chose TO hit in clinches with one
arm free or in break-aways. Invariably
they agree not to hit. but they often
forget all about their agreement and FIRE.
quently violate it. This then causes NOT
only the seconds but the spectators tC
| cry foul whenever Il blow is delivered in
a clinch or in break-away, and causes
| much argument. 1t also makes the du
| ties of a referee arduous and disagreed
BILE and always keeps him in hot water
Furthermore, it gives the referee an OPP
portunity to decide the contest on a tech
meal foul, which is generally unsatis
| factory to every one concerned
| This question comes up whenever Cor
bett fights continued Julian.
| 1T is not n question of when Corbet
lights said Brady; 'he wants an agree
| ment."
| 1T was according to the Queensbery
rules Sullivan lost the fight" said Julian
and Corbctt should fight now in the sam,
/ manner"