The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-31
sAARKE- SULLIVAN boot
John L. and the Sailor Lad
Will Box Tonight.
OF THE EX-MARINE
Is Irish by BIRTH and Was in the
United States Navy-He Left the
Service to Become a Fighter-Has
Great strength, Wonderful Endur-
ance and Plenty of Confidence.

Tom Sharkey, "the sailor" will appeal
before New Workers tonight, and exhibit
his muscles TO followers OF the ring
Sharkey is said 10 possess more strength
than any boxer of recent years, and hi.
great muscles are still flexible, which il
rot Characteristic of men who are endowed
with extraordinary strength.
Sharkey seems inpervlous to punishment
anu he has stood the test OF an eght-Tount
engagement with a hitter OF the ability
or Joe Choynski. Those who have seen
him perform say he strikes terrible
blow, but that he is still lacking in the
skill OF the leading heavy weights.
In the bout Sharkey Will have as an
opponent john l.. Sullivan, and the Con
test is likely 10 prove interesting. Sulli-
van has been riding bicycle for some
time past, and has reduced his weight
materially. "Parson'' Davies says thai
the big Fellow is in better physical
condition than he has been for some months.
sHAkhEY's METEORIC CAREER.
MOTHER boxer in the prize ring today has
attained more fame and notoriety in so
short space OF time than Tom Sharkey,
who SO cieyerly avoided a knock out at the
hands orex-ChanpionJim Corbettin ii four
round bout at sa n Francisco last June.
Up to a year ago Sharkey was practi-
caliy unknown 20 The sporting community.
He had done some lighting, to he sure. but
his kill was only known to his immediate
friends and the little world in which he
struggled.
Ever since boyhood Sharkey had preten-
sons to rise in the world by doing sonie-'
thing great. but the opportunity never
cane until he Got a chance to meet jim
Corbett.
After the latter defeated the mighty
John L., Sharkey told his chunis In the
navy that he thought he could beat Corbett
as easily as the California II dOwned the big
fellow.
Sharkey's confidan's did not scout the
idea, for they had seen his pruwess proved
aboard the ship, where many an ambitious
boxer felt the effects OF his hrculean
strength. One of the chunis said: Just
make d play to meet him. He'll certainly
give you the chance. because no one knows
you, and they might think you are easy"
LEFT THE NAVY TO FIGHT.
Sharheytreasuredup the hint ,ani whenhis
time II The Navy was UP, about ten months
ago, lie left the good ship, which had put
III at Vallejo, a town on the banks OF the
Sacramento river, ana proceeded TO San
Franc SEQ with tie avowed determination
OF making his living at the precarious
occupation of prize fighting.
NJ one gave
but he was perscvering well as AMBITIOUS,
and lie Ultimately got on a match with
Billy Miller, or the san Francisco Athletic
Club. SharKey did not take long to wiz
Miller, and was next pitted against
Australian Biliy'' smith, whom lie also
disposed OF easily. Sharkey's powers as d
boxer and fighter We're soon Eeraldcd,
and he WIS rated AZ a formidable opponent
for any pug Hist TO cope with.
After IL few weeks rest he was matched
to try conclusions with Alec. Greggama,
who was beaten by Dan CreedOn and who
also fought buffalo Costello an eighty
round draw at Coney Island few years
ago. The result OF this fight was a craw
after the expiration or tie sixth round,
the Limit of the contest.
When Joe ChoynskI returned to The West,
Sharkey expressed Il desire to fight him.
Chpynski riew at the opportunity To lace
Sharkey, and in the excess OF his confidence
he agreed to stop the eA-sIllor IA .Isht
ruunus. However, before the contest MIS-
half over, Joe was forced to acknowledge
that Sharkey was the toughest Dig man ne
ever encountered.
As result OF that fight, Choynski had
two ribs broken in the second round and
was roughly handled throughout. Sharkcy,
OF course, earned the decision.
OnJune last Sharkey and Jim Williams,
TIE weight VI ssdH 1<dkt
City, came together AT San Francisco. In
the seventh round williams was put 10
sleep with a blow on the jaw from
Sharkey's forcble right. Sharkey then
was matched to fight Corbctt, the latter
engaging to knock Tom out in four rounds.
Corbett not only Jailed, but came near go
ing under himself
The result or the mill was the making of
a match for 81 5000 a side. Articles We're
T..., l.-N ffz-txs
six months from that date.
IRISH BY BIRTH.
Sharkey was born in Dundalk, Ireland,
twentyfour years ago. His habits are
regular and he is the embodiment Of
perfect health and strength. His muscles
bulge out in relief and every one OF them
is fully developed. They are as hard as
adamant, too, and when thrown into play
they form u picture Of physical manhood
rarely seen in the modern ring. He stands
3 feet Ia inches in height and weighs
ITS pounds.
He has an indecent, honest expression
On his face which predispOses every one
in his favor. ID. ]. Lynch, his manager,
says that he is the very soul OF honor in
everything lie undertakes. He doesn't use
tobacco in any form or dissipate in other
ways.
Sharkey's chest measures in its normal
state As inches, and when expanded, A.
inches. His other measurements are:
Waist. 32 inches: thigh, % inches: calf.
II LIZ inches; ankle, 8 inches; neck, Is
inches.
Before Sharkey took up boxing he was a
wrestler AMI in this way he managed to de
velop himself. He takes q ten-mile run
every morning and is to bed before 10
o clock each night. He has perfect coc.'-
dence in his ability to whip Corbett, AMI
has invested $4,000 OF his own money in
the side wager of $4,000.