Afterward I grew to know him well both while I was Governor and while I was President, and many a time he came on and boxed with me.
Battling Nelson was another stanch friend, and he and I think alike on most questions of political and industrial life; although he once expressed to me some commiseration because, as President, I did not get anything like the money return for my services that he aggregated during the same term of years in the ring.

Bob Fitzsimmons was another good friend of mine.

He has never forgotten his early skill as a blacksmith, and among the things that I value and always keep in use is a penholder made by Bob out of a horseshoe, with an inscription saying that it is "Made for and presented to President Theodore Roosevelt by his friend and admirer, Robert Fitzsimmons." I have for a long time had the friendship of John L.Sullivan, than whom in his prime no better man ever stepped into the ring.

He is now a Massachusetts farmer.

John used occasionally to visit me at the White House, his advent always causing a distinct flutter among the waiting Senators and Congressmen.