The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-03-04
FITX IS DIRECTING
About the Rulcs-Corbctt Warns the
Referee to Watch Fitz for n Foul.

Carson, New. Feb. 24.-When Silcr
went out to Shaw's Springs to see Cor
bctt, the Californian took occasion to
express his opinion of his opponent as
follows:
81 see Fitzsimmons is at his old game
again, making objections. This time
see he does not like the rules. So he
does not want you to allow us to hit on
the brcak-away with one arm free.
Well, | want TO say right here that l
vii! do anything you say in the matter.
You are the referee, and you know the
rules. What you say goes with me. /
don't want any argument with Fitzsim-
mons don't want to talk with him
on any subject, either in the ring or any
other place. What / want to do is to
fight him on March II. I'll go into
training to fight and not to talk, and
will remain i'll my corner until the gong
calls us to the center to shake hands.
If any talking is to be done in the mean
time, will get Billy Brady, Charley
White or Billy Delaney rs my spokes-
men and let them chew the rag. He
can't force me into any kind of argu-
mcnt
Take my tip for it, George, this is
not the only complaint Fitzsimmons will
have to make. He will make lot more
between now and the time for the fight.
Mind. am not looking for the best of
il, nor am / looking for the worst if it.
want to fight strictly according to your
Interpretation of the rules. All de-
sire you to do is to watch Fitzsimmons
closely and see he does not commit fouls.
When Fitzsimmons leads with his left
he invariably raises his left knee, the
idea being to catch his opponent in the
body and do him serious INJURY. n
L. tsxI hnt In
stead of raising his knee, he should draw
back after delivering the blow. Well,
wen let il 90 ut that, but don't forget
to keep your eye on him.
THE reason ! am so particular about
the rules and your Interpretation OF them
is that | want to avoid any misunder-
standing and any argument with Fltz-
simmons. When you make your posi-
ton in the matter clear, all of us will
know precisely what is expected of us.
"Thc very conditions he now protests
against. he fully agreed to i'll Chicago
when you met him. Now you see how
he rcpudiates them.
IL feel first rate: never was III better
condition in my life, and could fight to-
morrow if necessary.
IL understand Fitzsimmons intends to
make n rushing fight. Well, If he does,
the fight will be over in two rounds. |
do not say | will do so in n punch, or
ANYTHING of the sort, but | will win. |
don't care whether the fight lasts five
or fifty rounds. / want to win on my
merits. | won't stand on technicalities.
| won't accept the fight on technicality.
| want to whip him fairly and sQuarely,
and think | can do it."
When Corbctt finished speaking, Sller.
who had listened attentively to all the
,Ninn n rpnlipn.
MY ideas of the rules conforms with
rule | of the Marquis of Qucensbery
rules"
Silcr then produced n copy of the rule
in question. 1t is rs follows;
"Thc contest in all other respects TO
he governed by the revised rules of the
London prize ring
This" said Silcr. makes hitting on
the brcak-away. when one arm is free,
compulsory. The only reason | can give
for the failure of certain fighters to conf
ply with the provisions Incorporated in
the rule is that they think it is optional
with them as TO how they shall fight on
the two points raised by Fitzsimmons
That is my idea of the ruling. and
think il is strictly proper, rs a reference
to the article you and Fitzsimmons
signed with Dan Stuart will show. The
articles state that you must tight under
the Marquis of Queensbery rules.
| want this to be fair and square fight
and the best man to win, and l dom
want to be placed in a position where