Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-10-06
SWORE HE'D QUIT THE RING.
Champion Bob Fitzsimmons Tells
Why He will Never Fight in
the Ring Again.

New York. Oct 4.-The announcement
is made by the New York Journal THAI
Robert Fitzsimmons, the champion mid
dleweight and heavyweight pugilist of
the world, has fought his last battle and
that James j. Corbett will not have the
opportunity of again meeting the Austria
liam in the roped arena. In a letter to
the editor of the paper Fitzsimmons
signed himself as follows: Robert
Fitzsimmons. retired middle and heavy
weight champion Of the world
Bob's story of the promise is as follows:
when l wrote at Carson City ON the
18th of March, upon which occasion l
defeated James j. COrbett for the heavy
weight championship of the world Il
have fought my last fight l had an idea
that the public generally would take it
that l knew what | was writing about
and meant every word of it.
Subsequent events, however, have
dlspelled that belief, and l see it is nee
essary to go into details in justification
of the position l took and which | still
MAINTAIN. Cannot man shape his own
course in life and run things to suit him
self without the population at large I'M
dertaklng to force him into a renewal
of an occupation that he has unqualified
ly and distinctly renowned? And why
did | renounce it? For what reason did
/ cast aside the five-Ounce gloves and
leave the laurels for another champion
to pick up and wear them as | have
worn them? Solely, singly, and only for
my wife. That answers all the questions
that can be put to me, and no man of
honor, or heart or conscience can mis-
understand me. l suppose, however. that
such a reason is beyond the compre-
hension of some prizefghters. but the
thinking public will thoroughly appre-
ciate the situation.
"On the morning cf the eventful day
got up at 3 O'Clock and took my morning
exercise, Mrs, Fitzsimmons preparing
my breakfast. After the meal she drove
me along the country road from my
training quarters to the ring. | went,
with my wife on my arm, Immediately to
my dressing room and stretched out on
my couch with my wife sitting beside
me.
Bob she said to me. tucking my
overcOat around my neck to keep me
warm. how much longer do you intend
to fight for living?
q guess this will be my last fight.
Rose, if | win,' | replied. as l looked
at her anxious face.
And if you = She couldn't say it
if her life depended on the word Be
cause she did not believe such thing
possible. Although, perhaps. something
might happen, and even she could not dis
miss such possibility.
but l think III win, Rose. I'll do
my best for your sake: Her only an
swer was q pressure of her hand on my
arm. Just at that moment Dan Stuart
knocked at my door and said: Get ready,
Bob. It's ten minutes TO y. You are
expected to be III the ring at noon.
Mrs. FitZsimmonS got up kissed me.
and, with few encouraging words, went
to the door where a friend was waiting
TO escort her to u seat at the ringside.
During those few seconds. between the
time she left me and put her hand Oh
the door knob. the whole situation rushed
upon me and | felt that it was my duty,
even if il was the last act of my life, to
win that fight and quit for good. and
for her. | knew her heart was heavy
with anxiety and that she was going to
her seat with a burden that few women
have had to bear Then l decided to
send her away at least happy with
promise that l will never break.
"'Rosen | exclaimed, come here Il mo-
ment.' She returned quickly and bent
over me again l took her hand and
squeezed it sincerely. / want to tell
you that l intend to win. even if | die
for it. This is my last fight | give my%
word for that, Rose. Be brave; / will
win. She kissed me once more and |
did not see her again until | came into
the ring. But her face was radiant with
joy at my promise to retire. 1t was
that expression that gave me the
strength to win that fight. and the prom
Use made my wife on the eve of the
battle is sacred to me, and will be kept
until Robert Fitzsimmons goes out for
good.
"When the fight was over she came to
me and her eyes filled with tears of joy.
Ii was ample payment for me- and | am
satisfied. | know. and other men know.
that there is something beyond the ap-
prevail of the masses. and it can only be
found at home. Perhaps not many men
who have fought their way to pugilistic
fame know what it is to have their own
hearthstone and a devoted wife. But l
do, and | will not wreck it nor leave a
legacy of lies to my children. l have
made my promise to her, and l will keep
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