New-York tribune., 1900-01-31
FIGHTER STICKS TO HIS STATEMENT THAT he
WAS DRUGGED-wANTs TO FIGHT
JEFFRIEs AGAIN.

Bob Fftzsimmons who till about eight months
ago.was generally conceded to be both the middle
and heavy weight champion pugilist OF the world,
has suddenly discovered that he was drugged in
his fight with James J. Jeffries. This remarkable
piece of mental activity coming so long after that
memorable battle. caused much comment in upper
Broadway yesterday, and the members Of the short
haired fraternity and their managers and advisers
strutted about in front Of the prominent hotels
telling the of that stic battle in their
peculiar language. Strange It may seem In
civilized community, such as New-York is sup
posed to be, the words of these fstic magnates
found willing listeners
The tale Of told by Fitzsimmons yester-
day was that during the intermission between the
second and third rounds in his fight with Jeffres
some one placed drug in the water, and he drank
1t. He says that he remembers little of what
took place after that, and in fact did not
fully for two months. Fftzsimmons makes no
direct accusation against any in particular
but says that the knockout drops did the trick
for Jeffries and that if he is given chance he
will demonstrate to the public that he defeat
the present champion without much trouble There
are many people who will look upon the whole
controversy a clever advertising job boom
coming hstic encounters in which certain willy
managers are interested. The entire fraternity
afraid that the Horton law will be repealed by
the Legislature, and their ambition is to get
all the money possible out of the public before
thai law is wiped off the statute books for good.
Fitzsimmons was found at uptown hotel yes
terday. He stuck to his previous statements. He
said exactly the thing two months ago, but
at that time little attention was paid to his talk
The lengthy pugilist said that he wanted to fight
Jeffries again. and that he was confident he could
win. Regarding the coming battle between Jeffries
and Corbett, he said that Corbett ought TO win,
providing IL IS on the level" "Jeffries big
second class stuff, continued the importation from
the Antipodes until after he met me-"
Billy Brady, who looks after certain pugists
in consideration of getting half the money the
'pugs' win in the ring and in their efforts to ele-
vate the stage, said, when seen that Fitzsimmons
was crazy when he asserted that he drugged
at the Coney Island club "Jenries will meet
'Fitz again, said Brady, for 60 per cent of the
receipts Of the house and for side bet of $4,000.
with when met 'Fitz before"
Brady had said he replied with some feeling:
when 1 met Jeffries he nothing He had a
fault that any such division Of the gate receipts
was agreed to-; wanted TO fight Jeffries, the win
ner to-take ALL and had nothing to do with the
diyision of the receipts. l will not accept Brady's
side the winner to take ali of the receipts and the
returns for the picture privileges 1 will make the
same proposition to Sharkey.
Have you any idea who drugged you?" asked
''T,E started Fitzsimmons and then he hest
tated. NO have idea who did it, said he
eral persons who standing that he did
have an idea of some sort but for reasons best
at this time
John Kelly. once a National League umpire, but
of recent years well known figure at prtZehghtS
and racetracks. seen holding up one of the
been known as Honest John for many years mas
What do you think of Fitzsimmonss charges
that he was drugged?" was asked of Honest
John"
oh" said Honest john" with that same
twinkle in his eye with which years ago he used to
tell Buck Ewing and Johnny Ward to shut up.
edo you want me to tell you just what l think?
Well. to tell the truth, think that Jeff punched
'Fitz in the kidneys so hard that he knocked his
there ever U rsG snee Ana With this weghy Subject
off his mind Honest john watched the passing
throng is his wont on pleasant afternoons at
this time of inactivity in the sporting world
Charles NJ Murphy, who made the mile behind
locomotive a bicycle in less than minute
when asked what he thought of Fitzsimmons's S
accusations said: IL guess that Fitzsimmons was
hit so hard that he did not get it for some
time. remember that when they dragged me in
off my wheel after that ride Long Island last
summer not myself for several days after
ward. When gets a sudden shock either way
sometimes does not regain his normal con-
dition for many days"