Evening journal., 1896-12-03


rresent-Fitzsimmons In the Lead All
Through Decision Received Adversely.
san FRANcIsco Dec 3.-No event in
the history of pugilisin ON the Pacific coast
ever attracted public attention here as did
he battle between the heavyweights Rob
aft Fitzsimmons and Thomas Shurkey
Between 900 and 30, 900 people occu-
tied an the available spipce I'm the big Nc
chanics' pavilion and watched the con-
lest which every one regarded as practical
is deciding the championship of the world.
The long, lean New Xealandcr. who had
rad a succession of victories in the United
states for the last five or six years, en-
lorcd the ring last night with almost every
~ parent advantage in his favor He could
count UP in his favor experience and
science, his height and reach and every
other quality which enters into the max
lug of the successful prize fighter. Against
him was the sailor lad who was unknown
six months ago, but who rose to fame re-
Gently, when he came perilously near tail
ing in the dust the colors of California's
dol james j. Corbctt Against the
science and experience and the superior
height and reach of Fitzsimm )ns was
Sharkey with his youth and strength,
probably one of the greatest examples OF
muscular development that the prize ring
has produced A man not accredited with
the science of a Fitzsimmons or a Corbett,
but who had proved that he would be "a
'chopping block for none and who was
known TO possess most remarkable
strength and endurance and to fear moth
ing that over stepped into prize ring.
Both Men Fit.
Both men had trained hard for several
weeks before the contest, and each had ex-
pressed the utmost confidence in his abli-
" TO gain a victory and the $40, 600 purse
which the National Athletic club offered
the victor Although the contest was linn
tied to ten rounds, there was hardly a
fpsctator in the pavilion VINO did not ex-
to,t to see one on the other of the fighters
30 down to de'cat before the fun limit Of
lhc fight had been reached The men
themselves evidently expected the same
Fitzs.mmOns and his trainers were conf
dent that Sharkey would be put cut in
from one to five rounds, and Sharkcy ex-
pressed every confidence that he would de-
lcat Fitzsimmons within seven rounds.
The betting public naturally leaned To-
ward the man of experience, and the
odds in FitzsimmOns favor averaged
about 2& to 1, in some few cases going as
high as to /, but Just before the fight
l. rlNIlAu lliC lItNullAnA ANNN were AANUA ~
/ to g. There was no lack Of Sharkey money
at these figures. and many bets were offered
at even money and accepted that Fitzsim-
mons would put his man out within six
rounds.
The National club had made most clab-
crate preparations for the fight, and it is
probable that similar contest was never
witnessed by many people. The "a foot
ring was located in tine center of the pa
villinn, the largest building of its kind i'm
san Francisco, and over 100 boxes, accom-
modating from six to ten persons each,
surrounded the ring, and beyond the boxes
and in the galleries ON four sides Of the
ring were row after row Of chairs Every
seat in the building was occupied, and
thousands Of men stood back Of the rows
of chairs.
Many Women Present.
One unique feature Of the night was the
fact that for the first time in the history
- pugilism the management OF the club
threw open the doors TO women, and sew
e-al hundred Of their sex were in attend
lrco. Some of them were gray haired
ma.rons, whose enthusiasm on the subject
had led them 20 venture beyond the
iounds of conventionality.
Ono hundred police and many more spe-
al officers were in attendance, and q hun
ICd ushers in evening dress escorted the
tuttles to their seats.
Long before the fighters appeared in the
ring q solid mass of humanity was banked
lr front OF the pavilion.
koYo was no lack of enthusiasm at any
s,cg Of the fight, and, Notwithstanding
lc long delay before the event of tn,
y'nirg' occurred there was nothing bu
fhc greatest good nature prevailing, ant
ilorc was not the slightest sign of g dis
turhance Several preliminary events pre-
cdrd the chief event and it was very lat,
when Fitzsimmons and Sharkey appeared
in the ring
Ono of the most noticeable differenoe
In the men was in regard to height, thi
New lealander being feet 11A inches
ana Sharkey feet 50 inches. Each O
the men weighed about 175 pounds
The seconds for Fitzsimmons were Mar
tin Julian Dan Hickey and Jack Stetsnor
For SharSey George Allen, Australian
Billy Smith and Danny Needham. Hyatt
Earp. the famous Arizona stage driver
who has figured in many gun fight OF
the border, was chosen referee late in tn
afternoon
The Fight by Rounds.
Aseach man appeared he received heart.
applause. Sharkey wore green sash witt
red, white and blue trimmings. His righ
hand was bandaged. Fitzsimnons was i'm
troduccd as champion of the world, whicl
received a howl CT approval Fitz chatte'
with friends at the ringside as if a har'
fght were not on his hands. When Shar
key entered the ring Bob walked acros
the ring and shook hands cordially wit
the sailor and his seconds. Both men wor
enveloped in long black robes, which the
threw off before putting on the gloves. |
was then the disparity in the build Of tn
two men was plainly seen. Fitz, lean an
long and sinewy, looked like panther
while Sharkey, stocky and sturdy, wit
his immense muscular development, IT
sembled a grizzly bear.
Round Both men started to spal
ritz feinted several times with left, bu
Sharkey got away. Fitz landed lightly
right on head Sharkey clinched Sharkc
swung left at Fitz's body. and a momer
sater landed left hard on Fitz's necl