THE WINNER INTERVIEWED.

NZ Truth, Issue 67, 29 September 1906, Page 3

THE WINNER INTERVIEWED.

"Yes," said Smith, when seen by a "Truth" reporter next morning, "I'll fight either Squires or 'O'Brien if they'll give me a match, and I think I'M ENTITLED TO IT after beating Williams." "Truth's" representative remarked that it was common ■ talk that he (Smith) and Squires had an understanding never to meet, but this, Smith declared, was all rot. "I fought him before," he said, "at West Wyalong for the championship of Australia, and if . he beats. O'Brien I'll fight him for the championship of the world." "Don't you think I'm entitled to a fight?" persisted Smith; and we bad to acknowledge that he certainly was. "As for Squires being a former pupil of mine," resumed the big fellow, "well, what's that ? It's got nothing to do with it." "You brought Squires into the game ?" we ventured. "Yes," said Smith. "I PICKED HIM OUT across the street. It was the make of him I liked ; he seemed to me the ideal build. for a boxing man," Smith has been fighting now for 17 years, and whenever he has been beaten it has been on his merits. He prides himself on that fact ;, and very properly so. A suggestion by "Truth's" representative that certain whispers had been going the rounds prior to his fight with Williams drew from Smith the remark that there wasn't enough money m all Melbourne' to send him down. "In any case," he continued, "there's nothing m that game' for me. I never got a bob from anyone m my life till Monday; night, and I never expected it, but when I got BACK TO THE DRESSING ROOM a fellow came m and handed me a sovereign, saying he'd had £3 to £1 about me, and that was my cut.' It was the first coin ever I got m that way" said Bill, "and I didn't want it." Then he told the interviewer to be sure and let "Truth" readers know that he claims a fight with Squires or O''Brien, and won't be satisfied till he gets it. ,