The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-02-10
JEFFIREs vs. FITZ SIMMONS
Lanky Bob and the Big CalifOr-
nian to Meet Within
Eight Weeks.

New York, Feb. 9.-rhe chances for a
meeting be Seen Bob Fitzsimmons and
Tom sharkey in a twenty four foot ring
for the heavy weight championship of the
world are rather remote IT was gener-
ally expected that these two would have
been matched today for a limited round
or nnish contest, but after parleying for
over an hour Martin Julian and Tom o.
Rourke failed to agree on n da.e for the
contest and the negotiations fell through.
Julian Immediately began to arrange a
bout between Fitzsimmons and Jeffries.
and soon had the matter weH In hand
Jeffrles was represented by ]. p. Egan.
who acted on behalf OF William A. Brady
now in San Francisco. The meeting, which
was held In the Bartholdi hotel, was at
tended by a large gathering OF sporting
men and newspaper reporters. Julian ar
rived late I'm tho afternoon but prior TO
his arrival, ORourke announced that he
had signed Sharkey TO meet Charles Mitch
ell Of England for a purse OF $1,000. the
bout to take place before the Bohngbroke
club OF Lonuon on May 90
Julian opened the proceedings by stating
he was ready TO match Bob Fitzsimmons
against Sharkey and was anxious 10 have
the contest take place as soon as possible
before the club Offering the largest purse.
lie stated that the conditions should be
Marquis Queensberry rules to govern.
with the exception that there should be
no hitting in clinches or breakaways, no
bandages 10 be worn by either contestants
and the pair should be 25 rounds II the
contest should occur in this state. but II
club would offer a larger purse than
any other and n finish fight could be ar-
ranged, then the principals would accept
that offer. O'Rourke agreed 10 all these
proposals, but when Julian said the men
should meet within eight weeks from the
signing OF the articles o'Rourke object
ed. lie said that sharkey couiu not meet
Fitzsimmons before November next.
Julian then said he would extend the time
until June.
THAT is impossible" said O'Rourke, cas-
sharkey viii meet Mitchell in London on
May 20.
You had no right TO make that match, "
was Julians hot retoet.
"Well, We are out for the money" said
O'Rourke, "and you would have taken
the same offer II It came your way"
A war OF words ensued during which
O'Rourke said: Look here, Julian, IN
put up forht Of 81 900 to bind sharkey 10
meet your man in November and you can
make any matches you see fit for Fitz-
simmons In the meantime"
II know your reasons for not wanting
TO fight now" said Julian.
| well, I can tGl you" replied o'Rourke,
Il know shar,tey Is Improving while Fitz-
simmons is standing still. and as your
man has not fought in two years Feel
that sharkey has right to distate terms
and should get until November"
MY money has been up, for a long time,
replied Julian land yours is only up for
a couple of days"
More words followed; Julian made sew
eral references 20 the meeting of ritz and
sharkey in San Francisco and finally said
II drop IN negotiations with you and
S. arkey and VIII take on Jeffries."
| J. T.. Egan stepped forward and said
"Jeffries win meet Fitzsimmons on ths
terms you have stated. but cannot cover
your forfeit Of 81, 500 until tomorrow morn
ing"
Julian assented and agreed to meet Egar
later 10 sign articles.
II was mutually agreed that the clubs
that wished 10 bid for the contest should
have two weeks to do so and that the
bout viii take place on June g.