Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-03
FITZ IS DEFEATED.
THE COMBAT BETWEEN THE AUS
TEALIAN AND sHARI<EY.
VICTORY AWARDED TO THE SAILOR.
IL IL Claimed Thnt the Final Blow
of the Lengthy Pugilist IL
FouI-On This In Based the De-
cisiOn.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, December a.
Not since Peter Jackson and Jim Cor
bett danced about each other for nearly
five hours before the members Of the
California Athletic Club has such enor-
nous interest been aroused in a fight be-
tween heavy-weights as was that ex-
hibited tonight at Mechanics Pavilion
in the contest between Fitzsimmons and
sharkev. Sharkey's personal popularity
IL. in a measure. responsible for this al
tbougb Fitzsimmons's reputation among
the knowing ones had not little TO do
with it.
A detail OF 100 blue-coats was assigned 10
take care OF the contest. Standing room
was At a premium. Thousands surgea
about the doors and viewed the cops
with envy.
The long Australian came over from
his training-ground early this afternoon
and rested at the Baldwin Hotel To a
representative Of the Southern Asso-
clated Press he remarked just before en-
terino the ring: Il am suffering from
severe cold. as you can see, and II mas
settled i'm my bones, but this VIII not IN
terfere with my putting the sailor 70
sleep in short order. l weight Just lii l.
mounds. which is more nesh than l nav,
ever carried into the ring, but ! expect
shall need il all TO stand of Sharkey 3
bull-lile rushes. ! hope he VIII make
hurricane fight Of il. That will just Dc
to my liking Martin Juiian was e9ua"s
confident.
Jack Stenzeler and Dan Hickey, who
assisted Fitzsimmons In training. were De
side Martin Julian in Bob's corner potH
wearing black eyes and sundry scars as
evidence that the Kangaroo had losi
none Of his hitting power. Each OF the
trainers was confident that Fitzsimmons
would make a short fight Of H. despite the
cold. H.. with
more confidence in his ability1to win thdh
did Tom Sbarkev. Australian" Billy
smith Rob Allen. and Danny Needham'
Who we're behind the sailor, and VINO also
trained him. had their last dollar UP on
tbair charge. so confident were they o.
his winning.
Sbarkev was trained to the minute. lie
vveiebed 176 pounds. three pounds les
tt,an when he met Corbett, and many
thought he was a trifle drawn.
All dav long Martin Julian and Danny
lynch. representing Fitzsimmons anu
cbarl,ev respectively. argued and squan-
bled over the selection OF referee. hllaHi
Cook. who refereed the Corbett-JacksoI
fight was suggested by Julian, but l'yhch
would not hear of him, although CooA
was the man put up by Lynch ior tne
Corhatt- -eharlev contest and turned down
nv Corbett Al Hereford, OF Baltimore
,vas brought up. only TO be thrown out
as was also william Naghton. sporting
editor Of the Examiner. Nhen th,
eleventh hour was reached, the rlN"
,nonapers notified President Groom. o.
tho National club. that he would have 10
roroe a referee. Mr. Groom was pre-
nared for the emergency ana Wllhou.
hesitation submitted the name Of Nyat'
Farp. who, I'm the early days, was yer
ror 10 the fierce element In Kansas ana
Arizona.
THE "AUDlENCE.'
The great pavilion began 70 iii peior,
6 o'clock. Sharkeys friends monopolized
the INNER gallery. and an the shouting
for the sailor came from the cheaper
coats Ftzsimmons's hackers Were
found among the soft-palmed tiateIhltS
I'm the $40 seats. The sunny race OF zap
tain Rees peeped out from between mos
of Riley Grammar and Eddy Gaines. lhe
pockets OF the three bulged with fitz-
einpons cash. Behind the chorus Of
horsemen We're coterie OF promlheh,
ottornevs a round dozen Of judges. ana
nv ouantitv OF milionaires. and other
celebrities All day long. the pool-rooms
vere crowded. Fitzsimmons closing a D.
to-l favorite. Sharkey money was p.en-
tiful but came I'm small dribbies no
large wagors being reported
Tbe navilion contained not less than
- o.o neoule when the first event was
called. and a more orderly crowd never
,ese,,bied \ Gordon Of TWENTY-FIVE po-
1icemen fringed The ring-side. while seven
tv-dve officers were distributed about
he hall preserving order and prevent
ing confusion
4 sensational story was printed IN an
evening paper 20 the effect tnat Poilce-
commissioner Gunst had bet heavily %,
Titzsimmons, and would nave -
crowley stop the contest should II Ne-
emo annarent that Shsrkey would win
Nfr Gunst declared that h did not nave
~ dollar nm. and that the pugilsts should
ao, be molested unless the fight became
brutal. In that event, Captain Whllmah
g., cbsroe If the officers would see lnd'
the law was not violated.
rr,tzsirnmons entered the ring at lo't
- ,,-s followed hy his seconds. BOD +
- Con Francisco friends sh0utec
themselves hoarse when their favorlte ap
neared but their efforts were as the bark
30 a dog against the fierce yelp or sea
ION as compared with the greeting "hlcr
sborkev received five minutes later as
me vaulted into the ring scorning TO use
the ladder 800.
and eva1 the sailor while Sharkey survey
N his opponent critically for the first
time. -,,,r.,,,,r,
The gloves were inspected and laid In
the centre OF the ring, but where was the
referee?
All sorts Of rumors were afloat and a
burried consultation was held between
Groom and the seconds and managers OF
the pugilists.
Notbing but the clicking Of the telegraph
instruments was heard when the men were
introduced The Gordon or police was
drawn tightly around the ring. and there
we're more whispered consultations, but
stin the celebrated Arizona gun-fishteI
failed TO show up
The appearance finally Of the noted
frontiersman created more excitement
than did that Of the principals.
AS carp stepped through the ropes Ju-
liam eyed him suspiciously. evidently hay
ing in mind fouls and hugglng bouts.
The cause OF the delay was explained a
second later. when The master of cere-
monies announced that Mr.. Julian re-
fused 10 accept Mr.. carp. Julian secured
an audience. and explained that he hac
accepted every reputable mans name
which had been suggested. but did g.
propose to take any chances with mar
a,ho was professedly ignorant OF the rules
The crowd heard Julian patiently. anc