The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-12-03

Mechanics Pavilion. San Francisco.
Dec. mo event in the history of
pugilism on the Pacific coast ever at
tracted public attention here as did the
battle between the heayyweights, Rob-
ert Fitzsimmons and Thomas Sharkey,
tonight.
Between 14,0O0 and 10000 people occu-
pied all the available space in the big
Mechanics pavilion and watched the
contest. which everyone regarded as
practically deciding the championship
of the world. The long. lean New
Zealander. who had had Z succession of
victories in the United States in the
last five or six years. entered the ring
tonight with almost every APPARENT all
VANTAGE In his favor. He could count
upon hfk experience and science. his
height and reach and every other quail
ity which enters into the making or the
successful prize fighter.
Against him was the sailor lad, who
was unknoEn six months ago, but who
rose to fame recently when he came
perilously near trailing in the dust the
colors of Californias idol, James j.
Corbett. Against the science and ex-
perience and superior height and reach
of Fitzslmmons was Sharkey, with his
youth and strength, probably one of
the greatest examples of muscular de-
velopment that the prize ring has pro-
duced. A man not accredited with the
science OF Fitzsimmons or Corbett,
but who had proved that he would be
n scfopping 4 MUcH,eevf no one, andSe1Do
was known to possess most remarkable
strength and endurance and to fear
nothing that ever stepped into prize
ring.
Both men had trained hard and well
for several weeks before the contest
and particularly during the last few
days. and each had expressed the ut
most confidence I'm his ability To gain
victory and the 10000 purse, which the
National Athletic club offered the vic
tor. Although the contest was limited
to 10 rounds, there was hardly spec
tator at the pavilion tonight who did
not expect to see one or the other of
the fighters go down TO defeat before
the full limit OF the fight had been
reached. The men themselves evident
ly expected the same. Fitzsimmons and
his trainers were confident that Shar-
key would be put out in from one to
Ave rounds. and Sharkey expressed
every confidence that he would defeat
Fitzsimmons within seven rounds.
The betting public naturally leaned
towards the man of experience and the
odds in Fitzsimmons favor AVERAGED
about 2Is to 1. In some few cases going
as high as 4 to I. hut Just before the
fleht started, the prevailing odds We're
about 20 to .. There was no lack of
Sharkey money at these figures, and
many bets were offered at even money
and accepted that Fitzsimmons would
put his man out within six rounds.
The National club had made most
elaborate preparations for the fight
and IL Is probable that similar con-
test was never witnessed by as many
people. The 2i-foot ring was located in
the center Of the pavilion. the largest
of its kind in this city, and over $50
boxes. accommodating from to 10 per-
sons each. surrounded the ring, and be-
yond the boxes and in the galleries. on
four sides of the building, were row af-
ter row of chairs. Every scat in the
building was occupied and thousands
of men stood up back of the rows of
chairs.
One unique feature of the night was
the fact that, for the first time in the
history of pugilism. the management
of the club threw open the doors to
women and several hundred women
were In attendance tonight. some of
them gray-haired matrons whose en-
thusiasm on the subject has led them
to venture beyond the bounds of con
veutionality. One hundred police and
as many more special officers We're in
attendance and 100 ushers. all In even
ing dress. escorted the spectators to
their seats.
Long before the fighters appeared in
the ring q soCid mass Ct humanity was
a Of e -. ..Nrf1
ion to the other. There was no lack OF
enthusiasm at any stage Of the fight.
and Notwithstanding tbs long delay
be fore the actual event Of the even
ing" occurred there WAS nothing but
the greatest good mature prevailing
everywhere. and there was not the
slightest sign Of a disturbance. Sew
eral nreMminary events praceded the
cortest and 1t was very late when
Fitzsinmons and Sharkey appS AIRED in
the ring.
One df the most noticeable differ
cnces In the uen was In regard tO
height. TIE New ZealaEder being feet
ll| inches and Shlrkey . feet 81,
inches. Each Of the men weighed
about i75 pounds. The second for Ftte>
sfmors were Martin Julian. Dan Hickey
and Jack Stelzn5 r. For Sharkey. George
Allen. Australian Billy Smith and
Fanny Needhan. wyatt carp. the
famous Arizona stage driver. who has
figured in many gun iight On the,
border. was chosen referee.
II wcs 9 O'Clock before the great
crowd began 10 ffi5ke an impression q
the vast asnount Of vacant ssats Out
side of the pavilion stood a crowd esti-
mated at 1000. whith cnmmeUcel t.
ass.rnble as early as s o'o!CsS. II is
,stima..l .rCgt thc Nat nal club t..'l.
in OF last $4,000 at the box Office. Pc
fore three-qua-t IS ~ the s-1ts were
filed. the prtl.T nariss We've call-d