The Washington times., 1902-01-01
JefIriGS is Willing to Meet
the COrniShman.
CRITICISM OF TEE B0ILERMAKBR.
Business-iike Proposition Would
Have Been Considered by Bob,
It is Stated-Still Ready for
Personal Talk-Afairs of Big
Fighters in a Curious Tangle.

On without making an extended effort to
secure a match with Fitzsimmons, Jeffries
! may be accused by some persons of dodg-
ing the issue. When Jeffries knocked
Rubin out last November he immedia tely
began talking about another fight with
FitZsimmons. He said he wanted to show
the sporting public that his victory over
Bob was not an accident. and that he
could repeat the trick even more easily
than before
Mr. DelRncy's Reception.
When Delaney arrived here last Sunday
and declared positively that the boiler
maker was hot after Fitzsimmons' scalp
the sports beloved there would be
something doing" Delaney, however
failed to make any direct proposition.
saying that he would hold d sort of re
ception,' and expressing the hope that
Sharkey, Fitzsimmons. and others would
attend
Fitzsimmons did not show up. Jeffries
and Delaney had not sent the usual busi-
nesslike challenge to Fitz and he did not
believe there was any sincerity in their
talk.
Delaney then made match with Shar-
surprise. Fitzsimmons himself was some
what puzzled, for he expected to receive
an open def from the big Californian.
Not an Easy Mark.
IT they had challenged me, said Fitz-
simmons today Il would have considered
it seriously A proposition 10 fight could
not be ignored if made in the usual way
I've retired. but just the same / want it
understood that / would not be an easy
mark fer Jeffries and that in my opinion
can whip him at any time at all
Those who have talked with FitZsim-
mons during the past two weeks said to-
day that if Jeffries had fired a direct
challenge at him Bob would probably
have accepted it. In taking Sharkey on
Jefries appears to have made soft
match, so ring followers believe.
Wants to Meet Fitzsimmons.
In an interview at Chicago today JEFF
fries said:
1T was pleasant news when ! learned
that my managers mission East was not
without some purpose. OF course.
Sharkey will be better than no rival at
all, but Fitzsimmons is the man / am
after and always will seek until l have
convinced both himself and the public
that my victory over him at Coney Island
was not in the nature OF a fuke.
Il will agree to arrange a fight on a
basis OF o. per cent to the winner and 81
per cent 10 the loser. l will stick by any
thing that Delaney does for me in New
York, but that is my final ultima tum re-
garding Mr.. Fitzsimmons. And in addi-
tlon TO this. ! will fight MIN for $4,000 on
the outside"
Billy Delaney said: Il viii add that
Jeffries means all he has said, and that
his offer to box Fitzsimmons for S50.000
on the outside is no bluff
Fitzsimmons' Reply.
When Fitzsimmons was seen in refer
ence to Jeffries' and DeIaney's statement
he declared:
Some time ago I said that | had re-
tired from the ring. After Jenries battle
with Rubin, in which the Akron Giant
was defeated, Jeffries filled the newspapers
with challenges and offers to me. In his
flight across the continent l was named : S
his next opponent.
Naturally | was interested and thought
he had some inducements to lay before me
that might persuade me to fight. Jeffries
states he Will give me 80 per cent if lose
and o. per cent il win. This is fair, but
] would rather see him personally before
] make up nv mind to acce3t.
Personal Meeting Desired.
Put ! frankly confess that nave not
$4,000 TO bet on any fight. Let Jeffries
come and see me personally. I'll guarantee
that he will find me ready and prompt in
listening TO anything he has 10 say tiat
is reasonable and fair