On the failed Corett-Fitzsimmons fight: "The general opinion of the sports around town is that neither of the pugilists wants to fight." El Paso Daily Herald, October 29, 1895. John L. Sullivan: "I dont see why these fellows can not get together if they are really anxious to fight. In fact I know very well that if they are dead set on fighting they can do it, governor or no governor. It looks to me as though Corbett dont care about fighting and Fitzsimmons dont want to." Daily Arkansas Gazette, November 1, 1895. Corbett said, I dont believe that ever Fitzsimmons intended to fight me and used me for his own advertising purposes. Daily Arkansas Gazette, November 3, 1895. Fitzsimmons said that he was still willing to have the fight. "I am ready and anxious to meet Corbett at whatever place a meeting can be arranged and I can knock him out beyond question. Im in better condition than he is. In fact Corbett is dead anxious to avoid a fight. He and Brady know I can whip him, no matter how much they pretend to the contrary. Corbett is not in condition to put up a stiff fight and it wouldnt be a hard thing to do to put him out. Nobody knows that better than he does and you can depend on it that he will try to keep out of a fight." Daily Arkansas Gazette, November 1, 1895. These two did not fight until March 1897. Sound familiar?
It doesn't make it right. Look how long it took to make the Tyson-Lewis fight - yes, it finally happend but by then they both were past their best (in Tyson's case shot to pieces) and it was a crapola spectacle. This is unfolding between our eyes with our two biggest stars. I say both just retire at the end of 2012.
