Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-06-25
jim, THE GENT, FELL DOWN
Couldn't Stop Sailor Sharkey in
Four Rounds.
1T WAS DECLARED A DRAW
"Call 1t a Wrestling Match, viii Ycu2" Said
Corbett After the Eyent-10,000
People Were There.


| round contest between Jim Corbett, ex-
champion of the world, and Tom
| Sharkey, the latest aspirant for the title,
| drew an enormous crowd to Mechanics
| pavilion tonight.
Sports from all over the coast were in
attendance. many having come from as
| far east as Salt Lake City. The trains
| which rolled in from the north today
| brought delegations from Washington
| state and Oregon, while those from the
| south were filled with prominent citizens
| from San Diego, Los Angeles and the
towns along the route of the Pacific
| railroad. All the cities and villages of
| California were represented, as orders
for reserved seats We're filed several
| days ago for residents Of Sacramento,
| Stockton, San Jose. Oakland and lesser
towns throughout the state.
Expectations had been wrought up to
high pitch. as Corbett had given a tip
to his friends that he would set rapid
| pace and keep it up from start to finish,
| while his opponents well attested stam-
| ina, recuperaHve powers and courage
| and his remarkable physical develop
| ment raised the question of the ex-
| champions ability to put him out in
| four three minute rounds. 1t was said
| that Corbett had been quietly backing
himself to finish his opponent inside of
| four rounds.
Betting today was 10 to that Corbett
would not stop Sharkey There was no
Corbett money in sight at these odds.
| Corbett was seconded by Billy Della
| ney, Jim Carr and George Green. Shar-
| keys seconds We're Danny Needham,
| Tim McGrath and Pady Ryan of Vallejo.
| The articles provided that Corbett
| should receive so per cent of the gate re-
| ceipts whether he was beaten or not,
| Sharkey to receive So per cent of the net
| receipts If he stayed the four rounds.
| The gross receipts are estimated at $685.
| 900.
1t was Corbett's first public appearance
| in his home city since his memorable
| sixty-one round draw with Peter Jackson
at the California Athletic club five years
/ ago, and, as was to be expected, the pa
vilion was crowded, fully 10000 people be-
| ing present. Both men had trained
| faithfully for the contest
Sharkey made his appearance with his
attendants at 1928. He was cheered by
| the big crowd. Corbett followed at 10:43
and was given great ovation. Jim
Carr, an old-time pugilist, was introduce
| ed as referee. Corbett weighed in at
/ 17S and Sharkey at $50 pounds.
Both men were called to the center of
| the ring by Referee Carr and given in
structions at 10:4S.
First round-Corbett was first to lead.
Sharkey lead wildly. Corbett had him
guessing and landed on his left cheek.
i Several clinches followed. Corbett
swung his left and landed on Sharkeys
forehead. Sharkey lead with left and
missed. Several more clinches followed
and the referee had difficulty in making
them break away. Sharlxey swung his
| left and right and missed. Corbett
reached Sharkey under the right eye and
| raised a lump as the gong sounded.
Second round-Sharkey was aggressive
| and swung wildly; he clinched Corbett
| and held on. 1t was now wrestling
| match. Sharkey, to avoid punishment,
threw his arms around Corbett repeated
| ly. Corbett landed on Sharkeys chest
and face and head at will. Sharkey was
very tired at the conclusion of the round.
Third round-Sharkey came up with a
| jump and rushed the champion. Corbett
was ready for him and got in a stiff
| punch on the chest. After few feints
| Corbett reached Sharkey with his right.
| A rapid exchange near the ropes follow
| ed. Corbett uppercut Sharkey with his
| right and followed with several smashes
| on the chest and wind. The sailor
fought desperately and landed on the
| champion, but not effectively. Just as
| the gong sounded the men were at it
| hammer and tongs.
| Fourth round-Sharkey lead and Corbett
| ducked cleverly. Both men clinched.
Sharkey struck viciously at Corbett and
| short mix-up and a clinch followed.
| The referee was unable to separate the
fighters, Sharkey fighting viciously. He
| threw Corbett heavily. There was little
| or no landing done and the men finished
| the round in clinch.
The referee declared the contest
draw.
| Sharkey's right eye is closed, while
| Corbett Is without a scratch. After the
| call of time 1t required three policemen
| to keep Sharkey from Corbett. Sharkey
struggling in his corner and Corbett pro-
! testing to the referee.
! Corbett Immediately after the encoun-
| ter said: why. 1t was no fight at all.
| There was not even one round of fight
| ing. That fellow made wrestling
| match of 1t. He hung on for all he was
worth. I could not get in on him. Call
| 1t a wrestling match, will your"
| Sharkey has shown himself to be of the
| improving kind. A peculiar feature Of
| his fighting is that the higher class man
| he goes against the better he performs.
| That such is the case is shown by the
poor battles he fought against Big Mil
| Ter and Jim Williams, khile with Aleck
Greggains, Billy Smith, Joe Choynski and
| Corbett as opponents he fought like
coming champion.
| Drr r Ur, MN U,TD ln0n