Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
PALAvER OF THE PUGlLlSTS
Gossip of Fighters and Events Past,
Present and F~uturc-FOrth-
comm Encounters.

kid" Mccoy and Peter Maher will be the
principals in the next big event in the pugi-
listic world. When their bout to decide to
whom middleweight honors belong will
come off is yet uncertain. Originally it was
scheduled for December 80, but a postpone
ment has been taken at the request of Nc
Coy. The kid was recently attacked by
some organic ailment, necessitating a sim
pie operation. This, however, interfered to
some extent with his training and Maher
was asked to consent to a postponement.
The big Irishman generously assented to a
delay, stating at the time:
II am satisfied to wait a few weeks longer
if Mccoy is i'll. | don't care to add to a foe
mans troubles by levying any money be-
longing to him, although since / began work
l have been put to considerable expense and
there seems no rebate for me in sight. II |
had done the same thing to Mccoy | would
have been accused of cowardice and every
body in town would be going about saying
| was a gutter. | am happy that the boot
is on the other leg and will consent to a
postponement. of a few weeks in order to
permit Mccoy to get we'll"
Speaking of middleweight championships
it is generally conceded that the honor be-
longs to "Lanky Bob" Fitzsimmons. Nc
Coy and Tommy Ryan, however, are aspi-
rants for the title and the former declares
that he is entitled to the honor by reason
of the fact that he has challenged Fitzsim-
mons and has posted a forfeit, but Bob has
never taken him up. Because OF this Nc
Coy asserts that the championship title re-
verts to him by default. No one who knows
Fitzsimmons believes that be will ever fight
in the middleweight class again, as it would
be extremely difficult for him to make the
-- -. s.IN.t.ss $500. 49,. f
means entitled to he numbered among the
has heens' in the heavyweight classified
ton and if he doesn't get a chance to try
conclusions with Jefries and that, too, soon
after the champions round with Corbett, IL
will not be his fault. The persistency with
which Fitzsimmons sticks 10 the heavy
weight class is a virtual admission that
mi~ddleweight honors are lightly held by
him Consequently, this leaves Mccoy,
Ryan and other middlewieghts the oppor-
tunity to so after the virtually discarded
championship.
Tommy Ryan is perhaps as we'll known in
this city as any of the pugilists who are
well up in the arena at this time. His
friends here are glad TO know that a match
has been arranged between him and Kid
Mccoy, to take place six weeks after the
McCoy-Maher bout. The kid believes
that it will take him about six weeks to get
in shape for a go with Ryan after his con
test with Maher. Tommy Ryan is expected
TO show up we'll in this forthcoming contest
and it is by no means beyond the range OF
possibility that he should carry off the mid,
dleweight championship.
Frank Erne and Jack O'Brien. the clever
ightweights whose recent fight was declared
a draw by Referee George Siler, will I'M
doubtedly meet again at an early date. The
managers Of both men have signihed thoil
willingness and propositions from various
athletic clubs are now being considered
Much interest will center in this fight. win:
to the undlsputed eyenness OF the contest,
ants. Their draw fight was considered ont
OF the p~rettiest exhibitions In the history q
modern scientific pugilism, George Consi'
dine of the Broadway Athletic club has al,
ready posted an offer OF s., 600 for the two
men TO meet in a twenty-five round contes'
and the bidding by other clubs is likely L
be lively.
As soon as Erne and 0'Brien settle th'
coveted lightweight championship title th'
victor will have his hands full defending
the honor. Already Eddie Connolly, whC
defeated kid" Mcfarland last week, il
looking for other fields Of conquest and ha!
challenged any lightweight in the business
expressing his preference for a meeting Will
either Erne or O'Brien.
Joe Wolcott and Joe Choynskl will prob
ably have to postpone their match, which