The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-26
SPORTING NEWS.
Fitzsimmons Gives Out a Lively
Interview.
Ex-Champion Says He Always
Has the Punch.
SECRET OF SUCCESS.
Says It's Dangerous Business to
TrifIe in the Ring.
Cites the Case of Jeffries Oblig-
ing Jack MunrOe.

Denver, Sept. 26.-A reporter for the
Post sends this talk with Fitzsimmons
to his paper.
1 went down to Bath Beach yesterday
afternoon to see Robert Fitzsimmons,
and find out how he was getting along
in his training for his fight with the r.
ish giant, Con Coghlan.
Bob was sitting on his front porch as
I drew near, gazing reflectively out over
the beach strewn with wrecks from
Wednesdays storm He was stretched
at ease in willow chair. On his back
was a gorgeous smoking jacket. His
Great Dane lay at his feet. and ter
rire pup was sprawled across his knees
"Helloi" he called as the gate swung
in, haven't seen Gardner anywhere
about, have you? I'm keeping lookout
for him.
Having denied the possession of any
knowledge of the light heavyweight's
whereabouts I accepted the chair that
Bob offered.
Fitz waved one bFawny arm toward
the beach. He was wearing the express
sion of philosOphic calm that comes over
man when he has exercised wisely and
eaten well. Bob was in a philosoph.c
mood. He was the man as his friends
see him when he is away from the ring.
Those wrecks remind me of some
fighters I know off, he remarked "AII
up on the beach, stove in steering geer
tangled, planks started, falling all to
pieces. I've seen lots of them go like
that And look at me. I've done more
fighting than any of them. and here 1
am, sitting on the porch of my own
house, the finest home in BensonhurSt,
healthy and happy, snug as bug in
rug as the poet says. Always took care
of myself. Got a good anchor out.
That's what does the business for me-
Perhaps having the punch had some
thing to do with it, suggested, hum
bly,.
F'itzsimmons' air of philosophic calm
vanished. His blue eyes suddenly took
on the expression that is so familiar TO
those who have seen him in the ring.
Curious" he exclaimed how / al
ways have that punch. There's Rubin,
bigger than me: Sharkey and a whole
lot of fighters heavier than 1 am, and
none of them has my punch. They can
beat man I'D if they have plenty of
where are they? None of them ever
learned how to hit. Ruhlin punched
away at Carter down in Philadelphia
the other night for six rounds, and never
feazed him. Yes, and Carter coming in
at him all the time'-Fitz was wearing
a look of supreme disgust coming in
at him all the time. and Gus couldn't
knock him out. I'd like to have any of
them rush at me like that See what
l did to Dunkhorst. and he weighed 300
pounds. There isn't a man in the world
that can't knock out if he comes at
me on the jump"
How about Coghlan on~the' 25th?' I
asked. What are you going to do to
him?''
That's telling replied Fitz, with
grin. Il never tell what 1 am going to
do before get into the ring They say
this is a big, strong young fellow, who
can take a lot of beating, and punch
pretty hard himself. All I can do is to
go in to win. How can tell what round
1 will win in? 1 don't know that my
self. When 1 started I might have let
fight drag little. but I have gotten all
over that nowadays. I Just go in to
finish it as quick as can comfortably.
The only man 1 ever stalled off in my
life, letting him stay when I could have
knocked him out any time l wanted 10,
was Peter Maher- 1t was when we
fought in New Orleans. Just to oblige
a friend of mine in the club, who want
ed to see a fight, let Maher stay
awhile. when / could have finished him
any time I wanted to after about three
rounds.
But that is dangerous game That
is the mistake Jeff made when he let
Munroe stay. Look at the things the
papers said about him then. 1t doesn't
pay to let them stay. I don't do it my
self What is the use of losing reDuta-
ton that way?
when you can win. go in and do it: