The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-09-09
CORBETToS DANGEROUS RIVAL.
Meteoric Career Of Tom sharkey, the New
PugiIi-tic Star.

Meteoric Career OF Tom shsrkey, the New
PugiIi.tic Star.
No other boxer in tho prize ring to-day
has attained more fame and notoriety in
so short a space Of time than Tom Shar-
key. the former sailor. who SO cleVerly
avoid "A Knockout at the hands on e1-
Champion Jim Corbett in four round
bout at san Francisco last June. Up TO
year ago Sharkcy was practically IN
known to the sporting community. Ho
had done some fighting, TO = sure but
his skill was only known - his imme-
date friends and the little world In which
he struggled. Ever since boyhood Sharkcy
had pretensions TO rise in the world by
doing something great. but the opportunI-
~ never came until lie got chance 10
meet Jim Corbett.
After the latter defeated the mighty
John L., Shsrkey told his chums In tho
navy that he thought no could beat Cor
lett as easily as the Californian doWned
the big fellow. Sharkeys conhdants did
not scout the idea for they han seen MS
prowcss proved aboard the snip "heie
mary an ambitious boxer felt the enects
OF his hcrculean strength. one or the
chums said. Just make play TO meet
him. He'll certainly give you the chance
because no one knows you and they might
think you are easy.
Sharkey treasured Up the hint, and wnen
his time In The navy was up, about ten
months ago. h- left the good snip when
had put in at Vallejo. a town on inc
banks Of the Sacramento river, ana pro-
cceied 20 san Francisco with the avo"ed
determination Of making his living al the
precarious occupation Of prize-hghtns
ENCOURAGEMENT.
but he was perseyering as well as amoi-
tious. and he ultimately got on a match
with Billy Miller. Of the San Francisco
A. Q. Sharkey did not take long TO whip
Miller. and was next pitted against Aus
tralian Billy" Smith. whom he also dis
posed Of easily. Sharkey's powers as
boxer and fighter We're soon heralded. and
he was rated as "A formidable opponent
for any pugilist 20 cope with. Alter a
few weeks rest he was matched 70 try
conclusions with Alec Greggams, who was
beaten by Dan Creedon and who also
fought buffalo" Costello an eighty round
draw at Coney Island few years ago
The result Of this fight was draw AFTER
the expiration Of the sixth round. the
limit of the contest
When Joe ChOynski returned 10 me
West. Sharkey expressed a desire 10 Hsnt
him. Choynski few al the opportunity
10 face Sharkey. and in the excess OF MS
confidence he agreed 20 stop the eN-S"lior
in eight rounds. However. before the
contest was half over. Joe was forced 10
ackuowlcdre that Sharkey was the tough
est big man he ever encountered. a
result u that fight ChoynsK had two
ribs broken IN the second round end was
roughly handled throughout, Sharkey, or
course. earned the decision.
one June 30 last Sharkey and jim WI
lams. the heavyweight champion or SAT-
Lake city came together al San Fran
CISCO. In the seventh round Williams
was nut to sleep with A slow on the
law from Sharkey forcihle right. Shar-
KEY then matched TO hgnt Corbett, the
latter engaging 10 knock rom out in four
rounds. Corhett not only failed. but
came near going under himself. The re-
sult Of the mill was the making OF a
match for 10000 a side. Articles were
sig led on June 26th last for fight within
six months from that date.
Sharlsey was born IN Dund1lk ireland
twenty-four years ago. His haD'ts are
regular and he is the embodiment OF
perfect health and strength. HIS mus
cles bulge out IN relief. ana every one
Of them is fully developed. They are as
hard as aldfltil. A'Nt n44N N++''i 49,
into play they form picture or physical
manhood rarely seen in the modern ring
sbarkev stands feet il inches in height
and weighs Us pounds.
He has an innocent. honest expression
on his face which predisposes nearly ey-
cry one I'm his favor. j. .. Lynch ms
manager. says that he is the very soul OF
honor i'm everything he undertakes. lie
doesn't use tobacco IN any form or dis
sipate in other ways. Sharkey's chest
measures. in its normal state 40 inches
and when expanded. IS inches. HIS
other measurements are: Waist. % inches;
thigh. % inches: calf. d IL inches ankle
9 inches: neck. is inches.
Before Sharkey took up boxing he was
\ wrestler. and N this way he managed
70 develop himself lie takes a ten
mile run every morning. and is 70 bed
before 10 o'clock each night lie has
perfect confidence 30 his ability 10 WHIP
Corhet, and has invested 5000 OF his
own money I'm the side wager Of 5000
New York sun.