The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-12
Story of the Matching of Two
Fights For August.
FitZ and Rubin Agreed on Their
Terms First.
SHARKEY BUTTED IN.
Charley White VIII Referee in
Both Cases.
Clubs Offering the Highest Bids
to Secure Contests.

New York. July 12.-The story OF how
the Ruhlln-Fitz-Sharkey matches for
August 10 and % were made Is interest
ing.
The meeting between the fighters was
slated for 3 o'clock, but long before that
hour both men were on hand ready to
clinch the match
Billy Madden and his big fighter, Gus
Rubin, were the first to appear they ar
irving at the meeting place shortly after 2
o'clock They had hardly been seated
when Fftz. unaccompanied, came in, and
both fighters exchanged friendly greet
ings.
shortly afterward Tom O'Rourke and
Tom Sharkey also came in, ORourke say
ing that he was ready to match the sailor
against either man in case they should
not be able to come to terms;
Promptly at 3 O'clock, Madden and f1tz
simmons drew their chairs close to each
other and began to open up negotiations
wei, Bob, when do you want to
fight?" asked Madden.
I'm three or four weeks" replied Fitz,
Suppose we say four weeks from Fri
FAN right; that will suit me-" answered
Both 7 IN then looked at a calendar,
and as the date which they named was
that of August 10, they lost no time In
selecting it. .
for the purpose of giving Rubin a chance
to fight some other good man before the
law goes out of existence on september
How do you want the money to go?,'
was Madden's next remark. Make 1t 70
per cent to the winner and 70 to the
THAT suits me-" replied F1tz, ,,o.n
I'VE will give the clubs one week from
today to put in their bids, and the club
offering the largest purse will get the
Both FTfz and Madden then agreed that
each club must post a forfeit of s. 500 as
a <FTf9 thew
battle on the above mentioned day
Charley White was then selected as the
referee after which the men clinched the
match by agreeing that the principals Will
box % rounds. Marquis of Queensberry
rules, and that they be allowed 10 wear
When they finished Fitz handed the Of
ficial stake holder a cheek .1 Tor So;e9q'
which, he said. was to go as ms Ior II da
Madden told Fitz that his check for 900
was posted with Al Smith, but tnat ne
would have it transferred TO the present
stakeholder in less than "a hours. This
was agreeable to Fitz, and the articles OF
agreement were drawn up and signed by
Fitz and Madden.
After this match was ratified, sharkey
spoke up and said:
'sWin the winner Of this fight meet me
before September -"
AS Madden didn't answer, SharlSey call
ed out: Il will agree to stop Rubin in six
rounds and bet him $1,000 that I will do
it. or I win bet 5000 that get the deci-
Madden only smiled at the sailors re
F1tz and Jerries, whom he intends to
fight after he is finished with Fitz.
Tom o. Rourke, being anxious to get a
fight with either man for Sharkey, said;
VIII you fight Sharkey, Fitz, the latter
part of August, whether you win or lose
with Ruhlin2"
yes, wi1l.'' replied lanky Bob.
This was just what O. Rourke wanted,
and without a moments notice ne picked
up a spare set of the articles Of agreement
which had been signed by Fftz and Rub
lin and began to fill them out.
Suppose we have the battle take place
between August % and 81. said Q Rourke
ANY date will suit me-" replied FdtZ, at
the same time saying to Sharkey in a Jok-
ing way: IF you don't fight me better
than you did Rubin I Will knock your
blooming head Off
After Fitz and Sharkey had gone out
and taken a sociable drink. they returned
and signed articles of agreement
The articles were exactly the same as
those signed by Fitz and Madden, they
agreeing to box a twenty -five-round battle
before the club Offering the largest purse.
Bids for this battle must be sent in before
8 %. m. on July II, when they will be
opened and the club offering the largest
incentive will get the fight. Fitzsinmons
forfeit of s., 500 was posted with the
Stakeholder while that of Sharkey will be
put up by O'Rourke tomorrow morning.
Fitz will train for both fights at Bergen
Beach, while Rubin will get in shape at
Bath Beach, and Sharkey Will do his work
at Sheepshead Bay.
The clubs that will bid for these fights
will be the Twentieth Century Athletic
club, which holds its fights in Madison
Square Garden. Seaside Sporting club,
Horizon Athletic club of Bridgeport and
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