The San Francisco call., 1897-09-08

house of the Empire Club, Lavigne and
his brother Billy and others were present
The meeting was for the purpose of sign
ing articles for a 20-round contest be-
tween Lavigne and Walcott.
ORourke opened the proceedings by
stating that he was willing to sign Wal.
cott to weigh in at 3 o'clock at 1877 pounds
Lavigne and his brother demurred to this
proposition. They were willing that the
champion lightweight should meet the
doughty WaIcott. the men to weigh in a.
the ringside at 1877 pounds. But 'Rourke
wouldn't have il that way; the men must
not weigh in at the ringside.
Here long discussion followed as to
the advantages or disadvantages OF a Cali
fornia climate over that of the East from
a pugills tic stand point, O'Rourke contend
ing that a man couldn't fight here as
strong as he could East unless he were
much heavier "Whv," said the suave
manager, "Walcott can fight in the Easl
al 1873 pounds. Here I wouldn't think oil
him going into the ring at less than 1877. "
Laviene's forces contended that The
lightweight champion had received dis.
patch while in the East from San Fran
cisco assuring him that Walcott would
fight at 1877 pounds, weigh in at the ring
side.
ORourke denied that he had ever au-
thorized such a dispatch; that the 137
pounds meant weigh in al o'clock in the
afternoon.
Lavigne recognized that Walcott was a
bard man and thought it unfair that be
shoul,i give away so much weight TO the
colored man, asserting that 137 mounds in
the afternoon would mean 143 or las
pounds in the ring.
At this juncture Gibbs called O'Rourke
and Billy Lavigne into an adjoining room
and, on behalf of the National Club offered
80 per cent of the gross receipts for the
contest. This was raise of 5 per cent
over the clubs previous bid.
After more talk O'Rourke said that he
was willing that Walcott should weigh in
at 1856 pounds at O'Clock on the evening
of the fght, but Lavigne would not listen
to the proposition, holding out for 1877
pounds at the ringside. The meeting broke
up. nothing having been accom- plished.
1t was afterward ascertained that the
National Club is hopeful OF matching La
vigne and Dal Hawkins, or Lavigne and
the winner of the McKeever Tracey fight.
Hawkins is in the lightweight class and
Lavigne fights strong at 133. In fact his
most notable battles, possibly excepting
his contest with Dick Burse before the
National Sporting Club OF London on
June l, 1896, were at this weight or in its
vicinity. On ID ce m ber q 1895, he won
from Walcott before the Empire Club at
Maspeth. Long Island. 1t was 15-round
contest, Lavgne to stay that number OF
rounds, but he won on merits. The men
fought at 133 pounds. Lavigne contends
that Walcott is now in the welterweight
class, and tnat while he is willing to give
Walcott the advantage in weight he is
unwilling to accord him so much as
" Rourke insists upon.
Eddie Graney announces that he will
not referee The Dixon-Smith fight, which
takes place in October He states that be
has been asked 10 referee the Lavi- ne
Walcott fight if it is pulled off and has it
under advisement. He will probably ref
cree the contest.
The National Club, it is understood, is
negotiating with Sharkey TO meet the
winner of the Choyrsk-Jeffries match,
which Is scheduled for Move m Der. Choyh-
ski is expected here the frs of the month.
This evening the battle between "kid"
Mccoy anu Tommy Ryan taxes place in
Syracuse. Mccoy is hot favorite In the
local poolrooms. selling al . to l.