The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-11
A NEW ATHLETIC CLUB.
Sam Fitzpatrick and ben IIuriis TO start
One and Hold BoxInR Bouts

The recent decision OF Judge Tighe OF
Brooklyn that boxing bouts can he held In
this city in public in regularly organized
athletic clubs when II is proved that the con-
tests are for members only and between MEM
beers, and that no purses are given and no ad-
mission charged has induced several well
known pugilistic promoters to Try TO or
game club and give shows under similar
conditions. Sam Fitzpatrick has succeeded
in interesting Ben Hurtig. OF Hurtig Sea
mon. who expects TO Join hands with fit2-
patrick in starting a new athletic club.
That the pair are not going 10 do anything
by halves IL shown by the plans they have
already mapped ont sam il 10 have luH
charge Of the club and Mr. Hurtlg will be in
terested simply as a baoker. Fitzpatriok's
idea is to make the club as exclusive as pos
sble on the lines OF the National Sporting
club London. The foreign club has an eI-
elusive membership and no person unless
he il we'll recommended can enter the CLUB
10 witness any OF the contests. No tickets
arc sold to outsiders at these mills, and II
man fails to pass muster he cannot enter
the building for love or money
Ny idea is TO make the club one OF the
foremost OF its kind in the world, explained
Fitzpatrick 10 THE Sr'S reporter YESTERDAY
New York will support a club like this, and
fail to see that il viii not he both financial
and artistic success have in mind to limit
the membership 10 500 and give two shows
a month. In selecting members ] will
be as careful as | can. Any person who
wishes 10 join must come well recommended
and must he vouched for by somebody who
can stand the test himself. MY aim is to
make the club model OF its kind. with billiard
rooms smoking parlors. gymnasium, shower
baths and every equipment appertainlng
and necessary 20 an up-to-date athletic and
social club. ! will try 90 make NJ the home
for the business as we'll as the professional
man.
4 intend 10 place tho Initiation fee Mt
$40. Five hundred members at $40 each
Will bring IN sum total OF 5000, which Will
90 toward removing anv debt the club may
be in and also go toward aiding In making
necessary Improvements. OF course, the
club will have to depend for It's existence
upon the revenue obtained from the boxing
shows. / intend TO tax each member SO
month for each show. or So year. including
the initiation fee, which is nominal. think
The clubhouse have in mind will seat about
I 200 persons. This will permit each mem-
Der 10 bring one guest. and ONLY one. Tho
remaining space will be for tho contestants
The membership proper will only amount
to $50 the remaining fifty TO be composed OF
we'll known pugilists, OF honesty and abiity,
The fighters will have 10 Join the. club in
the regular way. pay their dues ana help the
club along the Saine as any one else nave
every faith in the success OF the project
and | will put i into execution as. soon a.
iry after the Grub becomes a fixture is TO set
a side certain seats. two in all. one for the
member and the other for the guest. The
members name will be upon his chair, and
there will be no chance OF any confusion or
OF getting the wrong chair, Members viii be
taxed according to the locations OF their
seats near he ring but the sum won T amount
10 much
Fitzpatrick says that he Inns recei rod offers
OF two buildings which can be turned into
clubhou SEES but thus far has not select ted
any particular place Sam has not decided
upon the limit OF the bouts. In Buffalo at
present bouts from fifteen TO twenty rounds
are allow ed and the police frequently attend
the exhibitions Besides boxing the new
club will give vaudeville acts There Will
also be smoking parties II nothing goes
amiss and n desirable location s secured
tho new club will be ready for business in
few months