The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-03
THOMAS sHARKEY.
9th nan had trained hard for several

10th man had trained hard for several
weeks before the contest, and each had
EXPRESSED the utmost confidence In his
ability To gain victory and the $4,000
purse which the National Athletic club
offered the victor. Although the contest
was limited TO 10 rounds, there was
hardly spectator in the pavilion 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 betting public naturally leaned
toward the man Of experience. and the
odds in Fitzsimmons' favor averaged
about 2i2 to /, in some few cases going
As high as to /. but just before the
fight started the prevailing odds were
about 20 to ..
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 Of their sex were in
attendance. Some OF them were gray
haired matrons, whose enthusiasm on
the subject had led them to venture be-
yond the bounds OF concentionality.
II was fully o'clock before the great
crowd began to mako an impression on
the vast amount OF vacant seats. Out
mated at 10, 600 which commenced TO as
semble as early as O'Clock. 1t is esti-
mated that the National club took in at
least $40 coo at the box Office. At9 9o'clock.
before three quarters OF the seats were
filed the preliminaries were called, and
a number of local celebrities exhibited
their powers.
II was 10 o'clock when the event of the
evening was announced. the crowd
cheered, and cheers became roar when
the gladiators appeared. Fitzsimmons
showed up first and received an ovation.
Sharkey appeared two minutes after
Titzsimmons, and his welcome was
equally warm. Fitzsimmons chatted
with friends at the ringside as IL hard
fight were not on his hands. When
Sharkey entred the ring Bob walked
across the ring and shook hands cor
daily with the sailor and his seconds.
Both men were enveloped in long black
robes. which they threw OFF before put
ting on the gloves. II was then the dis
parity in the build of the two men was
plainly seen. Fftzslrsnons. lean and
long. and slnewy. looked like panther
while Sharkey. stOclsy and sturdy, with
his immense muse ular development, re-
sembed a grizzly bear.
There was some quibble over referee,
but Fitzsiminons said he had given up
his referee in all his fights. and he would
give in TO this ore. Then he stripped
off his black robe and added that he
would insist that Sharkcy take the
bandages of his hand. as he had none
or his. Sharkey continued TO tie his
gloves and paid no attention 10. Fitz-
simmons demand, but the referee
walked over and examined the bandages
complained OF. and Sharkoy then re-
moved the objectiorabic articles.
Round THE men advanced to the
center OF the ring and spared for n mo-
ment. Each got i'm several blows. the
round ending by FitEsimmons knocking
Sharkey down.
Rounds . and 3-There wos good fight
ing on the part OF both men, Fitzsim-
mons making the sailors head the point
OF attack and the latter playing 20 in
jure his opponents wind by body blows
lob was evidently laying 10 get In his
blow on the Jaw.
Round 4--When the round opened,
sharkey took the aggressive knocking
down with a blow I'm the
wird. He then ducked left swing and
landed left on wind three times without
"A return. Fitzsimmons was hghting
carefully. Sharkey landed left swing on
the head. staggering Fitzsimmons. Fitz-
simmons swuns right and left, stag
Ceripg Sharkey. llonors were even