The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-31
O'BRIEN TALKS.
The COnquerOF Of FitzsimmOns
Arrives in Chicago.
Discusses Freely His Battles Of
the Near Future.
HIS MATCH WITH HART
Says He Has Not Signed Articles
for Bout at Reno.
Quaker Boxer Wants Clubs to
Post Their FOrfeits.

Chicago. Dec. O.-PhiIadelphia
Jack O'Brien. recent conqueror of
Robert Fitzsimmons, looking none the
worse for the battle. has arrived in
Chicago from san Francisco. He
talked freely in regard to his future
ring battles and what he intends to do.
In regard to his being matched to
meet Marvin Hart at Reno, New, in
February, O'Brien said that he had
not signed any articles, but added that
he was offered the go and had accept
ed it in the way he does all his battles,
that is, if the club offering the induce
ment is sincere. he wants them to post
their forfeit. If they do so he then
considers the match.
He said the matchmaker of the club
met him at ogden and talked over the
affair, but did not mention anything
about the forfeit and for that reason
he did not consider the match seri-
ously- He also said that he heard that
the Reno organization was not sincere
IN the match. and that the arena had
been taken down.
In regard to making matches in the
future O'Brien said it was first come,
first served, with him. If a formidable
opponent could be secured and a suit
able purse was offered he would not
hesitate to make the match. He said
Ryan or any of them.
I don't want to meet Ryan alone"
said O'Brien. "Of course I will meet
him. but if a match with Hart is Of
tered me and there is any money in 1t,
/ certainly would accept. The club
that offers the best purse gets me.
You know I'm not in this bust
! ness for my health. I started
it. I viii leave over the Penn
sylvania line at II o'clock for
Boston, where I open up my theatrical
tour on New Years afternoon" added
'Brien- I'm billed to appear for
several weeks and not until / have
finished 1t viii fight unless I am Of
fered match that looks good to me.
You know what I mean-if the in
ducements are suitable" he added.
IF Tommy Ryan wants to meet me,
let him post a forfeit and get a club
that will give US guaranty" continued
| the Philadelphia. But I don't think
he wants to meet me. He has not been
sincere as he might have BEEN
/ He has been talking a good deal, but
as yet he has not come down to BUSH
/ ness. My hacker, Jack Mcguire, met
j him at Benton Harbor and was willing
/ to post a forfeit of $1,000 for the match
but he would not cover. it. That, I
| think, intimatesr that he does not care to
meet me-
yes" fnterposed MCGUIRE, Il will
/ back him for SIG. 900, if 1t is necessary.
II saw OBrien fight both Ryan and
Fitz in Philadelphia, and I stand ready
] to back him to beat the old man and
will do the same if he meets Ryan
"One thing I can say, is this said
/ O'Brien. My speed was just the same,
/ but my punch was a good deal harder
than it ever was, because when I hit
the old man it made him vince. I
| showed that my punch was getting
stronger right along when took l. Al
/ Kaufman There was lots of talk of
my talking on the old man because of his
age That is not true. Did I not take
on youth first and proved that I had
all the necessaries that fighter was
in need of? Then I took on one of the
/ greatest ring generals that ever lived
| and accomplished a trick, no other but
| Jeffries had done. I should think that
it stands to reason that deserve all 1
get"
When asked If he was getting heavier
the Philadelphia smiled and said:
"IlI save that for the future, but 1
can say that I am stronger and my
hitting ability is stronger. One thing
I want to deny is this, added O'Brien.
THAT is the report about my challeng-
| ing FERRIES. I never did. All I sad
that if the public wanted me to meet
him, l would not refuse, and 1 never
issued a challenge to him..
With O'Brien came Billy Melody and
his manager, John Mooney. They came
on with O'Brien from Spokane. They
| will probably leave with him again for
Boston Mellody'S home town.