The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01
NEWS OF THE FIGHTERS
MUCH TALK DURING PAST WEEK,
But LITTLE ACCOMPLISHED.
Fitzsimmons Issues Statement to
Tommy Ryan-McGovern to Fight
hen Jordan-GeneraI Notes.
The past week furnished some gossip


concerning the big men in the pugilistic
world. but nothing of any great conse-
quence was done. Jim Corbett has issued
a formal challenge TO Jim Jeffries to fight
for the worlds heavyweight championship.
but Jeffries seems inclined 10 ignore the
challenge and also the fancy purses that
have been offered for the contest. The
Hays Valley Club, of San Francisco, some
time ago offered $4,000 purse. and the
International Club. OF Fort Erie. offered
a $4,000 rurse. Corbett was willing to ac-
cept either. Later came an offer of
smaller purse for the men to fight TO a
finish at Carson City. There seem to be
enough places and certainly plenty of in
ducements for the men to agree to meet,
but up to date articles have not been
signed Jeffries has claimed that Corbett
has no right to insist upon another match.
but the public believes that Corbett is the
most likely opponent 10 meet Jeffries, and
the latter should accept one OF the offers
that have been made. The best offer
comes from the Fort Erie Club. and should
not be turned down by the heavyweights.
There has been more talk OF the possi-
bility of Bob Fitzsimmons. ex-champion
heavy weight. and Tommy Ryan. leader of
the middleweights. fighting before the Fort
Erie Club, the latter part of May, for a
$4,000 purse. but. like the Jeffries-Corbett
controversy, articles have not as yet been
signed. Talk Is cheap and Tommy Ryan
says he could easily put Fitzsimmons out
Of the way If Fitz would come down to the
middleweight limit. In the first place IL Is
very doubtful If Fitzsimmons could train
down to l5s pounds and be able TO do
himself justice. and IL the two men were
matched IL would be a rather one-sided
fight. Ryan had better remain away
from the man who has only one superior
in the world. Ii he is not aware that
Fitzsimmons has punch that he nor any
let him question Rubin. Sharkey, Corbett.
Maher and others about IL. Ryan would do
better IL he looked to Jack O'Brien, George
Gardner Jack Root or Kid Mccoy, and
they are fully entitled to bout with Ryan.
Anyway Fitzsimmons sees chance TO pick
up nice bunch of money by lighting Ryan,
and he has issued the following statement:
Il think Ryan's proposition to meet me
comes in the same nature as Corbett's
challenge TO Jeffries. They all know we
are doing a tremendous business on the
road together. and IL is likely they would
be pleased to get some of the good money
at the expense of our regulations. There
are numerous opponents for Ryan whom
have already defeated. and to complete a
match for him with some OF these would
be an easy matter. IL is only since 1 have
started on the road with Jeffries that he
has made any attempt for match with me.
a match with him. but he would not con-
sent. We are getting East as fast as pos
sible, and when my tour closes with JET
fries / will be prepared TO talk business
with any of them who are on the level
and mean business, but while | am meet
ing with such success as there is In my
engagement, L don't propose to throw the
opportunity away When 1 get through
with this engagement Ryan can have "A
match for the middleweight championship
of the world. any amount on the side.
and winner take all He is kidding him
self that / can't do the weight. | never
fought in my life above the middleweight
limit.
1t seems as IL Young Corbett and Terry
McGovern have no chance to settle their
disputes in the squared circle and the pos
sibiity of an early meeting between them
is more remote than IT has been for
months. No clubs seem to want the match
very much, as the clubs that bid for IL
and tried to pull IL off failed. They could
not fight in Connecticut. Kentucky or
Michigan, and the San Francisco clubs are
steering clear of the battle. They will meet
third-rate fighters. McGovern has been
matched to meet Ben Jordan. the English
featherweight champion, before the Ma
tionaI Sporting Club of London on Derby
night The conditions of the bout call for
a purse of $500 and a side bet OF the
same amount. The weight is to be i2s
pounds at 2 O'Clock on the day of the
contest. Negotiations for the bout have
been going on quietly for the past two
weeks. McGovern will receive $1,000 ex-
any other pugilist, outside Of Rubin and
Sharkey, received from the noted foreign
club. The organization all along offered
$50. but McGovern held out for the addi-
tional $3.50, which was granted. This will
be McGovern's first appearance in Eng
land.
Tom Sharkey, the sailor pugilist. and
Jack Munroe, the miner pugilist will meet
next Tuesday in New York to draw up ar
ticles for a match. Sharkey says he was
not particular as TO where the battle took
place. He thought the best way was TO
draw up the articles and leave the bout
open to the highest bidder
81 am very anxious TO meet Munroe,"
said Sharkey. 81 saw him when he a
boy out on the coast, but that, of course.
was too long ago TO form any judgment OF
his ability. When i saw him strip a few
weeks ago in Chicago he looked like man
who has developed well and who could put
up hard fight"