Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1897-01-05
FlTZ AND 'CORBETT TO FIGHT
Articles Of Agreement Finally Signed ty
a the Australian.
BIG PUGlllSTS TO CONE TOGETHER
Finish Fight for the Hcnvywcight
Championship md u Purse of
S15,OOOL stunrt viii Pun
on the AfTnir.

NEW YORK, Jan. 4.-The only hitch
which now seems possible to prevent the
meeting of Corbett ana Fitzsimmons in the
ring will be the failure of Dan Stuart OF
ToNCs to secure place where the two heavy.
weights may settle the long-looked-for con
tcst
On December II James J. Corbett affixed
his signature to the articles of agreement
This afternoon Bob Fitzsimmons. accom-
panied by his manager, met Dan Stuart at
a Jersey City hotel, in the presence of a
number Of well known sporting men and rep
roSentatives of the press and Fitzeimmone
affixed his signature underneath Corbett's
on the articles. There WIS parley be
tween Stuart and Julian rs to the terms of
the agreement. Fitzsimmons said all was
satisfactory to him, except that of side
bet, and the last clause of the agreement
which gave Stuart the right to reserve all
privileges.
Stuart throughout the meeting, assured all
at the meeting that he was confident that
he could bring off the fight on the date
mentioned March II, without any inter-
ference, and he further stated that the ques-
tion OF privileges, especially the photograph
ing of the contest by any persons, would be
considered later on when an offer had been
made by any company wishing to enter into
an agreement with him. In case an offer
was made he said, he was willing to meet
either of the contestants, or other represent
atives, and make an arrangement as to the
division of the money derived from this
source of revenue. AS soon as this assurance
was giver Fitzsimnons handed over the
articles signed by him, to Stuart, although
he really had affixed his signature few
minutes previously. As to the side bet, FitZ-
simmons said he would put up from $1,000
to $4,000. There was very little quibbling,
and 1t looked as If all parties concerned are
in earnest about deciding who is the the
recognized heavyweight champion of the
world.
The articles call for purse of $4,000, to
be given to the winner, and each of the
principals to post 50 500 in the hands of a
stakeholder to guarantee an appearance in
the ring, the one failing to live up to this
agreement to forfeit to the other and Dan
stuart. AS a guarantee Ct good faith Stuart
agrees to pest 5000 with a stakeholder to
be divided equally between Cor0ett and FitZ-
simmons IL he (StuarO fails to carry out
the provisions incorporated in the agree
ment. Stuart further agrees to post the re-
NAMED of the purse 100000 in the hands
OF a stakeholder thirty days prior to the
date of the contest and that the said $1O-
600 be forfeited by him to CoI')ett and Fitz-
simmons II Stuart fails to bring off the con-
test on March IL. Five ounce gloves are to
be used. George Siler OF Chicago is agreed
upon as referee and FitzSmmons decided
that Al Smith of New York City was salts
factory stakeholder, as far as he was con-
ceyued.
Stuart refused to say where he expected
to bring the mill off, but the articles called
for him to notify the pugllists of the place
one month prior to the date of the con-
test.
Fitaslmmons' fight hand was bandaged
from the effects of his fight with Sharkey,
when he received an injury to one of his
knuckles in delivering a blow. Julian, his
manager would not say where or when
Fitz5immons would go into training, as he
had not yet made arrangements.
CoRBETT SEEMS TO LIKE IT.
DETROIT, Jan.h 4.--James J.to. Corbett
when shown the Associated press dispatch
announcing the signing of articles for the
big fight by Fitzsimmons tonight. said:
That's the best news I've had in long
time. l only hope Stuart will not be
troubled in locating the battle ground.
will be on hand and ready to fight"
Reading the complaint made by Fitzsim-
mons in relation to outside privileges, such
as photographing the battle. Corbett said
he did not blame Fitzsimmons as he him
self had made similar objections. Stuart's
statement that he would do the right thing
in case he let any privilege of the sort
seemed satisfactory to Corbett. As to the
amount of the stake Corbett said:
II put up $4,000 for my share of the stake
when l signed the articles, and also 81, 500
to guarantee my appearance. FltZsimmons
now says he is willing to make 1t $4,000 a
side There Is no question with me about
the stake, but want to see their $1,000 up