The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-20

called attention to the changing of the
rules in this country and to the need
less trouble 1t would lead to, and adj
vocated a strict adherence to the rules
as interpreted by the National Sport
ing club of London. This was at
tempted in New York by referees of the
principal clubs in two contests but the
audience did not understand it and the
decision of the referee in each case in
awarding the fight on a foul was round
ly Kissed After this experience no
referee had the temerty to attempt
to interpret the rules according to the
English standard. In this country peo-
pie have grown so accustomed to close
infighting in which one or the other of
the fighters is holding that they have
grown to look upon this style of fight
ing as being strictly within the rules.
AS a matter of fact, only about one
man in one hundred who goes to see
fights really knows anything definite
about the rules. He merely knows that
they provide for a boxing contest in
which wrestling is not allowed and
that is about all he does know 1t is
because of this difference in the inter-
preta ton of the rules that the state
ment is made that the Palmer Nc Gov
ern match is likely to prove disap-
pointment. The difference in the style
of fighting and the Interpretation of
the rules will prove serious handi-
cap to Palmer If ne follows strictly
the style he has been taught at home.
Bob Fitzsmmons is in hard luck Just
now, for the elbow of his right arm,
which he splintered last spring. spar
ring with Yank Kenny out west. is Civ
ing him trouble. and he will have to
submit to a surgical operation in the
hope that it will benefit the injury.
There was a time, not long ago either,
when such an injury would have been
regarded as incurable, but surgery has
made giant strides in the last 10 years,
and it may be that the skill of the sur
geon may restore Fitzs lame wing to
it's former usefulness. If it does there
is a chance that he and Jeffries may
meet again. Another fight between
them would draw tremendous house,
but few think FitZ will he able to de-
feat the big fellow. He has Bob gagged
and besides next time he, and not Fitz
will have the confidence which goes far
toward achieving victory.
There is apparently a little money
left in the Fitzsimmons family. Bob
is said to be sporting valuable pair
of suspenders the gift of his wife. Ac-
cOrdng to reports. the suspenders are
studded with diamonds, the buckles are
of gold and the whole thing cost Mrs.
F. $1,000.
Tom Sharkey, who is matched to fight
Jim Jeffries for the worlds heavy
weight championship on Oct. %, is in
New York from San Francisco. The
sailor pugllist has been on the coast for
several months trying to get rid of
slight attack of rheumatism. He has
completely recovered, and says he
never felt better in his life.
In speaking of his championship bout,
Sharkey said: Il shall be the worlds
champion in 1900, for | am confident l
can beat Jeffries. i have met him once
before. and do not believe he had any
the better of me. He is a big, strong
fellow, but that's about all he can lay
claim to- His victory over Fitzsim-
mons does not worry me in the least.
l was we'll aware of what the outcome
would be before he ever met Lanky
Bob. l don't think Fitz was as good
as when he fought Corbett. From the
reports of the encounter he seemed to
have lost all his cleverness. Jefries,
however will have a different man be-
fore him when he meets me. He must
then fight one of his own class. since
my last battle with Jeffries l have met
two of the best men in the ring-Cor-
bett and Mccoy, while Jeffries has only
fought one back number
John l.. Sullivan, the most popular
prize fighter America has ever known.
or probably ever will know, gives his
views in the following terse sentences:
Live and let live has always been my
motto. l have had varied experience
and have made many friends. and there
is not a friend among them all who Will
saw that John L. Sullivan did not go
into his pocket when there was need of
assistance, for it has been my pleasure
to be a good Samaritan where had the
chance.
Fighting is all changed since the
DAYS when | was yOungSter. II is on
a higher plane, and it began when
I stood forth as an American and an
nounced my Willingness to meet any
man in the world. Americans like
manly deeds, and they took pride IN
one of their cOuntrymen challenging
men of all nations. l was always READY
to fight The preliminaries were snort
and quickly settled Every man knew
where to find John l.. Sullivan ana eV-
erv American knew that his heart was
true. Had | been a fighter of to-day
| might have had the same opportunity
in New York to show my proWess as
others have had.
II am glad that the championship OF
the world is once more held by an
American. When l lost it took pride
American. ! would never have lost to
a foreigner. ! have had my ups and
downs, but wherever ] go l ma that
still hold as warm place as ever IN
the hearts of my fellow citizens. Iney
know me to be honest and sincere. They
knew that when John l.. sullivan SAID
he would do a thing he would do 1t;
and 1 thank them for their kindly ana
sincere good wishes
Il can never forget that match l
made with Jim Corbett that never
came off" observed Kid Mccoy. we
were to meet at Buffalo last August,
and I had trained month for the bout,
and knew that Corbett could not whip
me, as l would have been filter than
he was. ] felt so confident of beating
him that l would have given my last
dollar. and given odds if necessary.
Had l whipped Corbett, there might
be another story to tell as regards my
fight with Tom Sharkey. A year before
John l.. Sullivan was whipped by Cor
bett there was a chance for either
Frank Slayin or Charley Mitchell TO