Waterbury Democrat., 1902-02-28
FIGHTS IND FIGHTERS
Siler Tells Why Fitzsimmons
 Made a Mistake.

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 Walsh-Homer Se4by Released
 Fight in New Britain.
 According to George Siler. Fitzsim- mons first erred in permitting Sullivan to lie on the ring floor five seconds be fore beginning the count, and as the referee had counted nine before Sulll- van attempted to get on his feet, the total was therefore, fourteen seconds, which was a very liberal estimate on the part of Fitzsimmons. On that ind ing Sullivan was out beyond peradven- ture. Siler also finds fault because Sullivan dropped to the floor a second time without being hit and practically admits that the latter should have been disqualified.
 He also calls attention to McGoy- ern's standing over his prostrate op- ponent, prepared to strike as soon as the latter got on his feet. The most serious charge. however, is that FitZ- simmons was ''rattled,' for no matter how just decision might be, it is an unpardonable offense i'll q referee to become ''rattled" Nr Siler has never been guilty of that weakness. He was not confused ill the slightest degree on November 3, 1899, when he stood i'll the ring at the Coney Island Athletic club between James Jeffries and Thom- as Sharkey. attempting to adjust q glove that had slipped off one of the champions hands.
 Siler did not call time or order Shar- key to his corner, and so the sailor stepped up to Jeffries and delivered a resounding thump on the boilermaker' s face while Siler was in the act of re placing the glove. The referee did not disqualify SharkeX, which he should have done under the rules, and he did not disqualify Jeffries for hanging on the little marine round after, round, and wearing down the latter's strength. It is quite evident that MT Siler forgot the brittle character of his residence when he began to hurl brick-bats at EitZSimmOns.
 Fitzsimmons puts his side of the case in this form:
 ''There was nothing to it." said Fitz- simmons. Tt is true that I did not begin my count just the instant Sulli- van fell. In my mind I had judged the time he was down and am satisfied that if I made any mistake at all it was in the direction of giving Sullivan too long a time in which to recover counted Sullivan out, and no matter if he was able to get on his feet, I would have declared McGovern the winner. l wasn't rattled I knew per fectly well what l was doing.'
 In view of the comments of the ir- feproachable Mir Siler, it is interesting to note what Thomas Sharkey, who is the manager of Dave Sullivan. has to say. Sharkey had been quoted as blaming FitZsimmons for the latter decision, but when the sailor arrived Tn New York he asserted that he had never questioned the correctness or honesty of the verdict and would be quite willing to have Fitzsimmons again act as referee in any bout in which Sullivan took part
 Sharkey brings to the surface a brand new excuse for Sullivan's de feat. He claims that the youngster was so weak, as the result of reducing to 126 pounds. that he was unable to do himself justice in the ring. Shar key says that in future Sullivan will fight only at 130 pounds, D. m., or 13a pounds ringside. The sailor would have some difficulty ill explaining why a man in weakened condition was able to stand the fifteen rounds of terrific Humping suffered by Sullivan.
 Hot Springs. Ark, Feb 2S.-In the eighth round of hard fight here last night, Art Sims of Akron. O.. sent Jack Carig of Buffalo, N. Y., to the floor Winning the contest.
 Albany. Feb 2S.-By q vote of sever To four the assembly codes committee reported favorably yesterday Assem blyman Dooling's bill authorizing tn. Amateur Athletic union to conduc sparring exhibitions of not more thai fifteen minutes duration.
 San Francisco, Feb 2S.-The Britt Hegarty fight at Mechanics pavilion to-day attracts attention. Britt is al amateur who leaped into prominenc
 by defeating Toby Irwin in fifteel rounds before Layignes club in Oak land last week. They will meet at 13 pounds and the young Californian is favorite at 10 to in the betting. Cleveland, Feb 2S.-Ed Dunkhorst the pugilist better known as the s.Hu man Freight Car" sued James Jeffrie in Justice Reilly's court here yesterda for $130, of which sum he claim $102.50 for professional services ren dered while training Jeffries for Iii fight with Fitzsimmons: $21.5O for raj road fare and $6 for hotel bill Tw constables served papers on Jeffries a the Star theater, where the champio is appearing in sparring matches wit his brother John. The constables al fached two watches. a chain, dia mond and a watch charm belonging t Jeffries. Jeffries says it is his forme manager, not he, who owes the none 10 punkhorst.
 Jack O'Brien of Philadelphia, wh returned last week from a successfu trip to England. will be seen in tn ring for the first time since his arriva on next Monday night. O'Brien ha signed articles of agreement to bo Andy Walsh of Brooklyn for si rounds, and the mill will take plac before the Penn A. C., Philadelphia O'Brien, who is the holder of the mic . dleweight and heavyweight titles Q England, thinks he will not have muc trouble in whipping Walsh The affai
 is at catchweights.