The San Francisco call., 1896-11-28


whipped Peter Maher, Joe Choynski and
other fighters of prominence rather easily;
therefore it is no great wonder that
large percentage of people interested in
isticuffs look forward to the defeat of the
sailor on the evening of December 2.
But the Sharkey side of the question
musr be given consideration before any
rash surmises are made regarding the out
come of this great contest, which may,
after all, afford the sporting world a
strange bit of surprise, as the unexpected
not infrequentIy happens within the
squared" circle. Allowing that Fitzsim-
mons has defeated two of the Leading
lights among the heavyweight division
of fighters, is that reason why he should
be booked as to shot over the sailor?
The latter has met and practically de-
feated pugilis,s of even greater renown
than those whom his opponent sent to
grass.
clever pugilist Joe ChoynsKi, Sharkey did
not receive just treatment when they met
in Mechanics Pavilion In the first
round Joseph banged Thomas around the
ring as he pleased, but when the sailor re-
tired to his corner he quickly concluded
that stand-off fight would result ..disas-
trously to him, ana when these condround
was called he charged al his opponent
fully determined to stand his ground, and
play game of give and take.
In the mixture Sharkey lit Choynski a
short-arm blow in the pit OF the stomach,
which doubled Joseph up, jack-knife
shape, and the referee Immediately
stepped between the contestants and or
dered them to their corners.
Choynski resorted to very cunning
suberfuge to gain time, as his pipes were
greatly impaired. After good rest the
contest was allowed TO go on, and nothing
OF very exciting nature resulted until
the last round of phe engagement, when
there was a lively mix-up, in which
Sharkey gave as good as he received. In
fact he was much the fresher man when
the gong sounded the end of the mill
Choynski, for some reason best known
to himself, did not appear to be particu-
larly anxious for return match with the
sailor, although the latter made known
his desires to meet his opponent at any
place suitable to Joseph and his manager.
The National Club was figuring on giving
a large purse for second meeting be-
tween Sharkey and Choynski or Sharkey
and Peter Maher, when Corbett dropped
into town, ostensibIy on visit to his rela-
tlves and friends.
One evening when Corbett was feeling
in good humor, presumably after French
dinner, he remarked in mis- brothers. sa-
loon that he wouldn't ask for a better
thing than an opportunity 10 stop Sharkey
in four rounds. OF course the news was
quickly conveyed to Sharkey and his
manager, Dan Lynch. The sailor natur-
ally grew indignant and insisted on his
manager interviewing Corbett and if pos
slble to get his signature to an agreement.
After much bantering and pickering
articles were drawn up and signed. What
was the result? Why, every body who
was supposed to know anything about
rine matters predicted a decidedly easy
victory for the cha mpion.
Many local sports who are considered
close observers and good judges of fisti-
cuffs stated openly that Corbett would
whip the audacious sailor in a couple OF
punches, and even some went 80 far as to
say that In condition or out of condition
Corbett could easily dispose of Sharkey
with one hand free and the other "tied
behind his back.
OF Corbett it must be said that he was
not in first-class shape when he faced the
sailors music. Jim rated Sharkey an easy
game, that could be easily captured by
clever exponent of the manly art, and he
trained just sufficient to dispose of what
he believed Sharkey to be-a big, husky
fellow whose knowledge OF boxing was
very limited.
Although far from perfect, "the profess
sor" was not by any means in Door condi.
tlon. Members of the Olympic Club with
whom Corbett exercised will not hesitate
and was in pretty fair condition to go
stiff ten-round istic argument.
IA few days previous to the fight he
boxed three men. going each man a sharp
four-round, and Immediately after this he
played several hard games of handbal
with two of the leading players of the
club and then did not, apparently, feel
the effects of the severe exercise.
Unless Jim was is in tolerably good form
he certainly could not have stood heavy
strain on his constitution without showing
the effects, yet four rounds with the dough-
ty sailor disrupted all of Corbett's fondest
calculations and placed him in such
position that the sporting people actually
took pity on him.
In the last two rounds of the fight he
resorted to strategy, and by desperate
hugging and clinching he remained on
his pins until the gong saved him from
what came within an ace of being fear
ful defeat
Corbett certainly underrated Sharkey in
many ways, but what astonished him
most of all was the sailors phenomenal