Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-08-27
THE PUGlLlSTs.
George Gardner Replies Tartly
to the Speckied Bob.

He Claims That Fitzsimmons is Side
tracking Him-Jim Corbett Makes
y Speech From the Center of the
Stage-Kid Goodman Too Much for
Moran-Joe Cans and Willie Lewis
Are to Meet Each Other.
Chicago, Aug 27.-sI'M fight Bob
Fitzsimmons and I'll fight him good
aid quick. He's just four flushing
when he says I ducked him. If any
body ducked it was the same Mr.
Fitz.''
This was George Gardeners reply
to the accusation of .tirnidity given out
by freckled Bob in his general def to
the pugilistic world.
''Fitz announced that he would fight
the winner of my battle with Root,
and when j won 4 said / would take
him on" insisted Gardner. 81 went
cunning for him all over the country
and he lodged. Ny manager. Andy
Craig, travelled all. the way to New
York to put up forfeit of $500 to
cover a contest. am only too glad
to fight Fitzsimmons under the condi-
tions binding the light heavyweight
championship, with which he is thor
oughly conversant. Will he make
good? Well, let's see He's a dodger.
as events will prove. He can have
my game any time he wants it,
The theatrical profession is to be en-
riched and ennobled through the addi-
fiaYa Of o1>;v
The eminent tragedian, James J. JEFF
fries. is to be associated with the gift
ed light comedian, James J. Corbett,
in play now in the foundry, and the
two leading actors will go to New
York shortly to enter upon formal ar
rangemelts, engage "a supporting COM
pany and lay out a route.
Mr. Jeffries hasn't been successful
heretofore in his stage career, while
Corbett, on the other hand, has made
a good deal of money in this field,
both as star in drama and feature
in vaudeville monologue. His popu-
larity is altogether remarkable for a
pugflist several times defeated
The other night in San Francisco
Mr. and Mrs CoFbett entered the Or
pheum theater while well liked So
prano singer was singing, and the per-
Torrance had to be stopped, owing to
the great outburst of cheering and APP
plause with which the former cham
piOn boxer was greeted The crowd
continued it's clamorings and the stage
manager Induced Corbett to give for
NAL recognition to the ovation by STEP
ping out upon the scene.
The picture is described in one of
the San Francisco newspapers as fol
lows: ss
''Corbett stood smiling as the audi
ence applauded and shouted. Finally a
voice from the gallery asked him to
approach the center Of the stage. This
WAS the Californian's cue ~
Il do not think / belong in the CEN
ter of the s@ge,' he said, after what
happened last Friday night, but / am
glad of this opportunity to explain to
you, my friends. that did my best
and was beaten by a better man. For
fifteen months forsook many iuxur.
les that n1g training might be com
plete. had it in my, head that ]
could beat Jeffries, but he knocked
that idea out. have fought two
fights with this man. as / have fought
with the greatest fighters on earth
and acknowledge him my superior. j
say that Jeffries is the greatest heavy
weight Sugilist that ever lived am
going TO New York I may return ia
this city soon, and it is possible that
may never come back. have this to
say, however, and will be supported
| in my statement by those among you
who have ever visited ME in the east
that Ishave never forgotten my native
state and am proud that I was born
in San Francisco.
| Frank Erne, formerly lightweight
| champion, has verified the story cur
rent for a long time that he will be-
| come instructor of boxing at Colunbis
| university, New York, this fall. Erne
says that in addition to carrying the
| boxing department of the institution
| he will enter the architectural schoo
and study for a degree. Between
| the two duties the ambitious pugilisi
| expects to be rather busy. Erne says
| he believes himself "1ras BEEN ano
wants to enter profession before his
earning capacity as knuckle artisi
| deserts him.
| Joe Cans has postponed his trip tt
England and will engage in one fght
before he visits the other side. The
lightweight champion has signed ar;
tfcles of agreement to meet Willie