The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-08-26
Geo. S|LER TALKS
ON FAMOUS Fight
Incidentally He Tells How Ne
vada Came to Permit
Finish Fights.
EYES OF PUGILISTIC WORLD
ARE NOW ON G0LDFIELD
Siler, the Veteran Referee, Will
0fflciate in GanS-NelsOn
Contest.

George Siler, the veteran referee, VIII,
Will ofhciate in the Cans Nelson bout
has written the following article for tn,
Chicago Tribune, in which he review.
the incidents leading up to the famou.
Corbett- -Fitzsimmons battle and tell:
fights:
The eyes OF the pugilistic world during
the next three weeks Will be turned
toward tho State of Nevada as was the
case In 1897, when Dan Stuart brought
together Jim Corbett and Bob FltZslm.
mons at Carson City. Prior 10 that bic
event, Nevada was not considered on the
map-that is, pugilistically speaking
but when Stuart, after falling to null
OF the rbett-Fitzsimmons nght at bal
las, Texas, or at Hot Springs, two years
previous. had a bill passed legaiizing
hnish glove contests In Nevada, the
State received It's best advertisement
since the days of the Comstock lode at
Virginia City
The finish fight between Jim and Bob.
still considered the greatest event In
modern pugilism, did more to bring the
Sageerush State before tho English
speaking world than probably did the
lode that made Mackay, Fair, O'Brien
and others prominent in the American
financial world. Stuart went to oonsid-
cradle expense to bring Corbett and
F1tzsimmons together. He knew the
sporting world demanded the fight, and,
being a resident Of Texas at the time.
he thought his political pull strong
enough to have them decide the world 8
championship battle in his State.
Dan Stewards Troubles.
1t meant great deal for Dan and the
city OF Dallas to have the question of
superiority between the men settled prac-
ticaliy 1t his doorstep, but, after having
the men tied up and all ARRANGEMENTS
made TO have the battle take place at
Dallas. Gov, Culbertson stopped short
the progress OF 1t. Hot Springs then
begged for the contest, and assured
stuart all the protection necessary. Jim
and Bob were then notified to condition
themselves TO scrap In the city of vapors,
Corbett and his retinue Of trainers hiked
to Arkansas and established training
quarters, where Jim put In several weeks
ct hard work. Fitzsimmons trained for
the battle in Texas. but was arrested
en- route TO the battle ground. II was
SAID at the time that Bob courted ar
rest. AT any rate. he arrived In the
State In the power of the authorities.
and then Gov. Clark ordered him and
Jim to report in court at Little Rock. 10
give bonds they would not exchange wal
lops In the State OF Arkansas.
Corbett Gives Belt to Maher.
This was In October, 1895, and in the
following month Corbetrs sparring part-
ner was knocked out by Peter Maher
who, by the way was to have fought in
the same ring az Corbett and Fitzsim-
mons at Hot Springs. The fight took
place at Maspeth, l.. l., with Mnher win
ming knockout within two minutes. Cor
betts who was at the ringside, yaulted
into the ring when Peter scored the
hurried and unexpected knockout md
turned the championship over to the
Irishman. declaring he had quit the
game,
Then Stuart. still determined 10 Dull off
championship battle. matched Maher
and Fttzsimmons and after considerable
trouble with the authorities brought them
together in Mexico, opposite Langtry.
Texas. Bob proved the better man by
knocking out Peter in the first round.
The tight was losing venture for Dan.
and as Corbett again declared himself
in the pugilistic running and still claimed
the heavyweight championship, Stuart
laid plans TO have Jim and Bob fight 1t
out for the honors,
Lobbies With Nevada Legislature.
Shortly after the Maher- -FitzsImmons
tight, which took place February 2l, 1896.