The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-15

turned to America and added the names of
D,ck O,Brien and Jack Bonner to his long
list Of victories. He defeated Dan Creedon
in December, 1897. He dedicated Rubin
IN twenty-rouii nirtch Oh May 20 at Sy-
raclise.
The sporting press will now be 1licd
with Invitations to Mr., Eitzsimmons to
come out and fight Most of them will
lame Sharkey as his opponent, but the
sailor hasn't the first claim on the kar-
CARGO; that belongs to Tommy Ryan. who
asks The lanky champion to fight Or Sun
render the middleweight championship and
who really should be accommodated. Fi.z
could easily beat the aspirant. If he can
Get down to the weight and stay strong
and IL is hardly to be credited that he Is
afraid to meet Ryan.
In the case Of Sharkey, Fitz las ii right
to stipulate a side bet OF 100000 for that
is the sum the sailor cuchred him out OF
at Frisco with Earp's assistance; but that
doesn't hold good with Ryan.
1t seems that the same point OF how
long man may hold championship while
refusing to uphold 1t is to be again brought
up prominently Fitz was himself once
very anxious to have a limit fixed Oh the
time, and IL really seems that there should
be. He holds championship in two class
es for both of which he has been chal-
lenged by men entitled to make such chnl-
lenges. and has defended neither: he has
not entered ring In year, and ii looks
only fair that he should be deprived of the
titles.
Fitz should not be blamed for being a
bit afraid Of Sharkey; it is true he beat
him at Frisco easily. but he might not lie
able to repeat the performance now Not
only has the sailor improved bur the AUS
tralian has, in the natural course Of time.
deteriorated; he has passed by some years;
the zenith OF his powers as a pugilist
Sharkey has learned q lot and is AT his
strongest and fight might not result as
anticipated by majority of people who
take an interest in such things II rs not
intended to tout the Californian MS prop
able victor In the event OF meeting be-
tween the two men, but 1t IL said that Fitz
/ has a good right to ponder over such an
outcome.
/ Sharkey Is only selling platter, white
Fitz is n class horse: but he is aged-and
gets the older while he delays knocking
the wind out OF the pretensions OF the
counterfeit. Mccoy was a worse counter
felt; he Is good middIewelght and is.
perhaps, entitled to be called the best In
the country OF that class Shnrkey's vic
try OF him counts for little even though
Mccoy made good showing for little
time; both Jeffries and Choynsh took Tie
measure OF Sharkey and proved him to be
oply an ordinary fighter
However. the fact that both men are
! easy marks Is all the more reason Fitz
should get cut and defend his titIes
Tom shnrkey and his manager, Tom
O'Rourke, ditagreed for time as to the pol
icy to pursue toward Bob Fitzslnnlons. Hay-
ing read Fitzsimmon's statement. sharkcy
WIS anxious to make a match Immediately.
q o'Rourke held to a different opin.on. where
at Sharkey, In his enthusiasm, declared that
I he would post $500 OF his own money as a
forfeit to fight the Australian. sharkeyfs ar
dor cooled after listening 70 o.Rourke's arga-
mcnt. and he agreed to abide by whatever his
manager thcught best
/ 1T Is amusing to see in what haste Fitz-
simmons is to make a match with saarkey,
said oRonrke. They vii, meet when the
proper time comes, and can ASSURE F.n
simmons that II will be entirely too soon "a
satisfy him. shall give sharkey rest He
Pitasimnons declares that be viii aTht him
J. in three weeks. provided side bet OF slO.-
900 is made.
ANY follower Of pugilism can see how
ridiculous Is the stand taken by tbs AUS
tralian. 1t took him two years 70 arrange
his fight with Corbett but notwtthstandIn az
that he would have SharSey meet Corbstt,
Mccoy and himself In eight weeks Although
the sailor is q hard. rugged LIGHTER. ne ~ moi
yet equal 10 such a hercniean task Let Fitz-
I simmons keep on talking.
4 ..lt is not necessary for sharkey TO talk.
MS he has decison over lsitzslmfnons 20 MA
credit Not being sharkey's MANAGER at me
4 time he met Fitzsimmons ] know nothing
4 about the latter's claim that he was robbed:
! but the fact remains ard l. ~ part OF
4 pugilistic record that sharkey defeated the
1 Australian. Furthermore. Fltzsimmons should
| know and he evidently does. that a SIDE pc;
| n AGAINST the laws Of this state. When
think shsrkoy has had enorri rest there
( will be no trouble in arranging ngns;
titied 70 rest. rhey think fitzsimmons
is little TOO eager 70 deelaIinE tnst q,
rs his own record does not show where ne nss
been particularly speedy 10 II sr ,San ~
4 matches sharkey would rather nEnt tnan %