The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-06-25
KEEPS JAMES BUSY
SHARKEY, THE MARINE, INTERESTS
THE BX-GENTLEMAN.

Corbett Goes Into the Four Rounds With
wads of Money Up ON Him-sharkey
Pats Up a Game Fight-Gets Groggy in
the Third But Corbett is Groggier In
the Fourth-Sharkey Has Lots of Fight
Left While Corbett is Very Weary-De-
cIared a Draw-Sharkey Wants Finish
Fight Next Time.
San Francisco, June 24.--James J.
| Corbett, champion of the world, was
| all but knocked out tonight in a four
round contest with Tom Sharkey, cham
pion of the navy. The referee decided
the contest a draw, but 1t is doubtful
| If he will be supported by public opin-
ion. 'Corbett clinched Sharkey though
out the entire fourth round 10 avoid
punishment. The champion was breath
ing heavily and apparently greatly ex-
, hausted when the round closed, while
Sharkey seemed as fresh as at the be-
ginning. Sharkey even refused TO stop
fighting at the end of the bout and
made a vicious rush for Corbett- Six
policemen leaped into the ring and
three officers grabbed Sharkey. The
marine refused to be prevailed upon
and gave one of the policemen a vicious
blow. More policemen jumped into the
ring and Sharkey was finally escorted
to his corner.
The fight was rough-and-touble
contest from the start. Sharkey pur-
sued his usual tactics, rushing and
striking wildly and using little or no
judgment.
Corbett said afterwards that he was
fouled twice and was offered the de-
cision, but refused to take it. However
that may be, Corbett did almost all of
the fouling in the last round and would
undoubtedly have been put out If he had
not chung to Sharkey's neck with his
left arm. Sharkey repeatedly pushed
Corbett away, only 10 be grabbed about
the neck again
During the first two rounds Corbett
appeared to have the better of the con-
test, landing on Sharkey heavily when
ever and wherever he pleased. Sharkey
landed heavily on the champion several
times, but most of his blows fell short.
Sharkey's good showing was due to the
fact that his rough-and-tumble pace
was too furious for the champion. The
marines heavy blows had their effect
on Col'bett, while the latter's blows ap-
peared TO make no impression upon the
marine, SO great is his ability to stand
punishment.
At the end of the contest Sharl0ey
leaned over the ropes where Joe Choyn-
ski was sitting and said: What an
easy thing that mark is, Joe. / will
fight Cerbett to a finish any day he
&c 70
the backing"
Corbett was interviewed in his corner
after the fight by an Associated Press
reporter. Corbett was putting and had
a few slight scratches on his breast
and face.
''It was nothing but a rough-and-
tumble fight" Corbett said. "Sharkey
fouled me twice in the second round and |
was offered the decision but would not |
take Ii. So far as Sharkey's Offering to |
fight me TO a finish for $4,000 a side is |
all he will have to do will be |
10 put up his money. l will fight him"
That San F'ranciscans have lost none |
If their old time interest in Corbett re-
eeived ample demonstration tonight |
when the crowd began to assemble to |
witness the four-round contest between
he chamuton and Tom Sharkey.
Although the preliminary contests |
we're not scheduled to begin until $50
he Mechanics pavilion was surrounded
" crowd OF several thousands Of
Seople
AT 6 O'Clock when the doors were
brown open there was a rush for seats
# vantage on the part of those who did
lot hold reserved seats. In half an
iOur nearly every seat in the building,
which holds ten thousand people, was
Corbett stock rose rapidly in public
ppreciation a few hours before the
lime set for the contest TO take place.
his afternoon odds of 10 TO were laid
hat the champion would not be able TO
mock the marine out in four rounds.
hen COrbett money began 10 roll in in
arge bundles and il was difficult to
ind men to back Sharkey at even
loney.
The evenings entertainment common
ed shortly after O'Clock with a six
ound go between Charley Rochelle and ! ,
ack Howard, hghtweights. Howard got
nough in five rounds and quit
Then came the fight between Austria
an Billy Smith and Jack Davis of
maha, heavy weights. Davis was
nocked out in the second round.
Corbett and Sharkey stepped into the
ng at 10:40. Corbett was seconded
Y Billy Delaney and George Green.
harkey's seconds were Tim McGratb
nd Danny Needham. Frank Carr
as chosen as referee.
When Corbett entered the ring the ] ;
asst crowd rose TO its feet and cheered
IT several minutes. The men shook
ands when the cheering subsided and I
me was called for the first round.
First round-Corbett assumes the az