The San Francisco call., 1896-03-13
SHARKEY WAS TOO STRONG
The Seaman Smiled and Seemed
to Enjoy Greggains'
Love Taps.
The Fir eman Landed the Most Blows
and the Referee Declared the
Match a Draw.

The much -talked-of boxing contest be-
tween Alexander Greggains and "Tom"
Sharkey at the Bush-street Theater last
evening ended in a draw. The Hawkins
and McGoldrich contest ended in the
middle of the second round. Hawkins
easily found beautiful opening, and
planting his right fist on his opponents
jaw, Mr.. McGoldrich of the Angel City
went to sleep on the cold, cold floor.
After some preliminary boxing and
wrestling bouts the event of the evening,
in the language of the master of cere-
monies, Billy Jordan, arrived. 1t was an
eight-round contest between Greggains,
the political fireman, and Tom Sharkey,
the pride of the American navy. Sharkey
was the first man to enter the ring. He
was seconded by Danny Needham, Tim
McGrath and 'Spider" Kelly. Greggains
next put in an appearance He was looked
after by Joe Kink, George Green and
Henry Pepper.
The referee was Ed Hoeman. The time.
keeper were Billy Harrison for Greggains
and Billy Gallagher for Sharkey.
At $3.50 o'clock the contestants shook
hands and the sport commenced.
Sharkey appeared at least fifteen pounds
a heavier man than Greggains, but the
latter was some inches taller and more of
an athlete in appearance.
Referee Hoeman, after giving the pugil-
lists few choice instructions regarding
the rules OF Queenberry, ordered them to
shake hands and proceed to punching.
After considerable fddling, Sharkey was
first to lead with the left ON Greggains'
breast. Greggains got home few light
taps at long range on Sharkey's face, but
the receiver smiled blandly and kept send
ing home left jabs which failed to reach
their destination with force.
In the second round Greggains was the
first to land, good, heavy left on Shar-
keys nose, which made the navy chap
look decidedly serious; in fact, he lost the
greater part OF his confident smile. Shar-
key swung his right at Greggains' head,
but the latter easily ducked and thereby
avoided punishment. Once again Greg
gains planted his left-hand glove on
Sharkeys nose and handsomely ducked
away from sledgehammer swing which
spent itselfon the smoky atmosphere.
In the third round Sharkey made a mad
rush at Greggains from his corner when
time was called, but he missed the target
by several yards. Greggains stopped
Sharkey few times with straight left
hand stops, but in ralley that followed
j
Alexander's neck near the close of the
round. No heavy blows were landed dur.
ingthe bout.
In the fourth round short rally opened
the engagement. Both men landed on the
neck and face and Greggains missed
grand opening which was given him to
put his right duke on Sharkey's jaw. The
latter forced the pace and smashed Greg
gains few times on the face and neck,
which knocked considerable stamina out
OF the fireman.
During the fifth round Greggains landed
straight left-hand punches on Sharkey's
mouth, but the receiver did not seem to
notice the love taps, and continued to bore
in upon his opponent and compelled Greg
gains to break ground repeatedly. Up to
this time there were not more than half
dozen good blows landed by either of the
contestants.
In the sixth round Sharkey played for
his opponents stomach and while engaged
in this pastime the fireman was planting
his left glove on the seaman's face. 1twas
kind of a nip-and-tuck game, neither of
the contestants suffering any severe
damage to their respective anatomies.
Very little boxing was done in the sew
enth round. Sharkey and Greggains were
evidently reserving their strength for the
final rally, and when time was called
Sharkey rushed like wild bull from his
corner at his opponent, and, swinging
his sledge- hammer right, he missed
the fireman's head and stumbled against a
post. Greggains was taken by surprise.
and met Sharkey as the latter settled him.
self for second bull-run rush. Some
sharp inighting followed, and it was
matter of give and take until
the timekeeper called corners. Shouts
for sharkey and Greggains followed,
but Referee Ed Hoeman stated that the
m a n U-uS 90 nUa 1Iy- ta1 hn
only give one decision, and that was
draw. The announcement was receiv ed
with general approval and all concerned
seemed highly pleased with the contest.
Not one thimbleful of blood was shed.