The Savannah morning news., 1903-02-20
COLLIER ''FLUKED"
IN HIS BOXING MATCH WITH CHRIS
HIMMLER.
CLAIMED WEIGHT TOO GREAT
AND HAD BEEN MIsLED IN MAX
ING THE MATCH.

HimmIer Undoubtedly Weighed in
the NeighbOrhOOd of $50 Pounds
While Collier Went 100 or Less.
Collier Claimed His Manager Hat
Told Him the Baltimore Man
Could Make $50 Pounds, Though
He Signed at Catch Weights-BOut
Declared on and Money Refunded
the SpectatOrS-The Men COM
pared-HimmIer IL Likely Looking
Chap and May be Matched With
Nick Elliott or Twin Sullivan.
The Himmler- Collier boxing match
scheduled for twenty rounds to, a de-
cision last night in the ring of the Sa-
Vannah Athletic Club ended in the
biggest kind of a fiasco though on no
part of the club or that of Himmler.
Each was ready and willing to fulfill its
part of the contract. This leaves the
blame on Collier for he absolutely re-
fused to meet Himmler, declaring that
he had been allured into the match by
the representation that the Maryland
man could make 1873 pounds, and that
he expected to meet a boxer of that
CldSS lIlSlCcu VI SOlIS cS dlllSl d giant
in size and weight, as Himmler ap-
peared in his eyes.
1t is generally conceded that Collier
had sense in not meeting Himmler,
for, from comparisons, he was entire
ly outclassed. To the casual observer
or ordinary judge of boxers he was
badly bested both in hight reach and
weight. Just what Himmler weighed is
not known, but he was short of $50
pounds by but very few pounds. Col
lier on the other hand was much
lighter and shorter in hight and reach.
He did not appear to weigh over 100
pounds ard claimed to scale 154.
Golfers ExpIa nation.
In explaining his refusal to meet
Himmler, Collier claimed that he had
been fooled into the match by his
manager, Florrie Barnett, who stated
to him that the latter could make $50
pounds, and though he signed with
Himmler at catch weights, he expected
him to be between $50 and 1853 pounds,
or within the middleweight limit. Find
ing his opponent a much heavier man
he refused to meet him unless he would
weigh in with him, and if the differ
ence was not greater than hVe POUNDS
he (Collier) would go on.
This Himmler refused to do, stating
the match was made at catch weights
and that he had nothing whatever 10
do with what Collier scaled. He said
that he had stgned to box as above
specified, and was here to fulfill his
engagement should his opponent weigh
100 or 200 pounds.
HimmIer Cheered.
After considerable wrangling be-
tween the men, in which Collier refused
to go on and the club officials endeaV-
ored to straighten out matters, Al NC
Murray, with Himmler, entered the
ring and explained to the spectators
that Collier had refused to box; that
Himmler was there ready to meet him,
but as they could not be brought to-
gether the money would be refunded
to those who had paid admission. NC.
also stated that the club would en-
deaVor to get on a match between
Himmler and Nick Elliott, Tom Shar-
keys sparring partner, or Twin Sui
Ivan, and explained that the failure
to pull off the bout was no fault or the
club, as unless Collier would go on IL
was impossible to force him.
Himmler then told the crowd that he
had signed at catch weights; that he
d
in the ring and that he was there TO
fulfill his part of the contract. He
was greeted by cheers and cry of
Give him the purse"
Dougherty Defended Collier.
Dannie Doughetry, the popular little
favorite, on behalf of Collier, said that
his man would meet Himmler at any
time, providing he will make l5S
pounds, and that he will bet $500 on
the result He also asserted that Col
lier had been misled on the weight OF
his opponent in making the match.
Many admirers of the game compll-
mented Himmler after the question
had been decided that there would be
no fight, and declared he was entitled
to the purse. They also said they
would not take back their entrance
money, but wanted it given 70 tne
Maryland man, but as the club officials
had decided to return the admissions,
they were forced to take the same.
While the principals were arguing
previous to the bout being declared on,
an effort was made to substitute rat
Raedy for Himmler against Collier, out
as the club desired the main principals
or not to go on, the substitution was
not considered. Raedy announced that
he will meet Collier in ten days, win
ner to take all of the purse, but what
will come out of the challenge is not
now known, though the bout is likely
not to materialize, as it is said Collier
is Disguised and will leave for the
North at once.
HimmIer an Athlete.
Himmler will also leave to-day for
Cumberland, Md, where he has two
or three matches pending in the early
part of next month. The club will de-
fray his expenses and transportation
while here and to this city, and may
even do better than this by him
financially.
Hlmmler is a six footer, broad Shout
dered and athletic in appearance. He
is but a few years over 90 and Is the
type of man one would pick for
boxer. He resembles Corbett very
much both in facile expression and
build. and Is looked upon as a coming
champion. He said he weighed 1858
pounds, but from observation he prob