Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-02
THE PUGlLISTS.
JeffrieS and Corbett Finally
 Come Together:

They Will Fight for Twenty Rounds,
 Winner to Take 70 per Cent of
 Receipts-Young Corbett and Terry
 McGoyern Have Been Matched for
 Another Bout-Peter Maher is to Go
 On the Stage.
 New York, March 2.--James J. Jet- fries will defend his title of worlds champion heavyweight pugilist against James ]. Corbett in California next June. The men were matched in the Delavan hotel yesterday, and the arti- cles of agreement will be signed in Bal timore on Thursday, The fight will De twenty rounds for the largest purse or fered. of which the winner will take 75 per cent. No argument was wasted in arranging the match. Billy Delaney talked for the champion and Corpett held his own end. When the two rivals shook hands at parting Charlie White, the referee, said the meeting remind ed him of an afternoon tea party. Challenges were hurled right and lerC. at the meeting. Nearly all the leading lights of the ring were there. Kid Nc Coy asked for a fight with Fitz at catch weights. and Fitz told him to "go 'way back" Gus Ruhlin was looking for any old match. and his manager, Billy Madden. said he was ready to fight Jeffries, Corbett, Fitzsimmons, Mccoy or any of the top-notchers. When 1t was thought that the meeting would end without word from Tom Sharkey, a messenger boy arrived With a telegram from the fighting Dundalk man. now transforming In the west. ..stand ready to fight winner of Jeff fries-Corbett go." said Tom, and then the crowd laughed. Corbett and Jef- fries met at 2 o'clock. The champion came to the hotel accompanied by Madden, his theatrical manager. and Rob Fitzsirnmons. Mccoy, Ruhlin, Billy Muldoon and about fifty sporting men had been waiting for the princi- pals in the conference, and immediate iy the talk began. Delaney opened the discussion. "What do you want to do, Tim?" he asked Corbett. Il want to fight" was the reply. Delaney then said he would have no dealings With the Fort Erie club. He based his ar gument on his experience with Coma dian law. "I tried to pull off fight in Montreal one time," he said, and they put me in jail.'' Corbett assured Delaney there was law governing prize fighting in Fort Erie, and al- though Tom 0'Rourke corroborated him. Jeffries's manager would have none of it. Corbett insisted that more money could be had in Fort Erie, but Delaney said he would rather fight for n S2O.0OO purse in California than for S40.0O0 in Fort Erie. Finally it was settled that California would be the battle ground and then Corbett, get= ting a suspicion that Delaney might have an interest in club on the coast. said: Now, Billy. I want you to know that if you're on the inside of any club out there this old boy wants share or 1t too. It's business with me. and want to get in on the ground floor. 7 Delaney said he was not interested in any club, and then he and Corbett made the joint statement that the fight would probably be held by club in which Jim Kennedy is the chief figure. However, 1t was agreed that all clubs would have an equal chance to offer purses. and April 1 was set as the date on which the bids will be opened. The bids are to be sent to Harry Coroetf, brother of the former champion, Tn San Francisco, and duplicate bids are
 
 city. A forfeit of $5,O00 must be post ed with, each bid sent to Corbett. After these details had been disposed of De laney suggested that the winner take the entire purse. 1T say frankly that I am not open to that proposition" re piled Corbett. "I want at least my ex' penses out of this thing. l know it's 8 tough game I'm going up against, and I'm not convinced I can whip Jeffries But do think I have a chance. and ii I don't win, why, naturally. 1 don't want to be out of pocket. If Jeffriei whips me no one will have q warmer admirer. and as there is so much chance In the game I want the purse divided, T5 per cent to the winner and the small end to the loser" TAI right. Jim." said Delaney, "and now how about bandages? Do you want tC wear them?' "Of course I do,'' re pied Corbett. At this Jeffries. wht had been sitting in corner listening rose and shouted: 'I'll never fight i; man again with handages on his hands When you fellows get in tht ring and get the handages on. nothins can make you take them off. You hands are like plaster of paris. and Tn not going to have any move of tha husiness.'' Delaney backed up tn, champion. and Corbett. warming m sanashad all argument by saving "You know as well as you'rn sittin' there. Delaney. that cant fight tw, rounds without bandages. Do yorr re member when ron wero with me tha I aways wore them? You know ever hetter than do that have worn then in all hut my first two iehts. Whn right has Jeffries to kick? Nearly al