The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
THE PUGILISTS.
National Club Has Matched Nc
keeVer and LaVIgne-The
HeaVy-WeIahts


1t is no great wonder that pugilistic
sport is on the wane in New York and
that the pugs are anxious for engage
ments "out West" as they say in the
Eastern States when they refer 20 San
Francisco.
Since the Horton law went into effect in
New York there have been very few salts
factory contests pulled off, and the con-
sequence is that the sports who pay high
ior good game are disguised and will
turn out only when they believe rafting
go Is on the cards The muchly adver-
tised Sharkey and Maher contest drew an
immense crowd OF sport-lovers to the club
In which it WAS held, and what was the
result? The fight, so called, ended in
dismal failure, much to the disgust and
chagrin OF the thousands of people who
witnessed it. OF course there were some
xceptions-namely, those who bet on
Sharkey, the club managers, the pugilists
and booksellers. The patrons of the game
were "bunkoed," and it would not be
hitting very far off the mark to say that
the next "big" contest between heavy
weights that takes place in New York
will be sparsely attended-that is unless
flizslmm mons will take hand in the game
of hit ana miss.
The C0rnishman invariably puts up a
good fight, and those who pay to see him
! In action can always depend upon getting
run for their money. What a hammer
! ing Bob will i've "the sailor if thew meet
again! But Sharkey's managers are too
wise 10 permit their "knotty man" to en-
| ter the ring with FiIZsimmons unless
/ there is an carp hole somewhere for the
| sailor to crawl through when Fitz let's go
his big Betsy at 1.-The Sharks" jaw
In a fair stand-up and give-and-take
| battle Maher can whip Sharkey beyond a
j doubt. He fought him on Wednesday
| evening under the same tactics he en-
! pioyed when he fought Choynski.
The tall and symmetricaliy built son of
Erin permitted his stocky opponent, who
by the way, is as much entitled to be
/ called "tbe Irishman" as is Maher, to
dance around the ring and slash short
arm blows at him until he had taken the
! sailors measure; then he settled down to
sowing seed. he planted his heavy right
/ on Mr.. Sharkey's jaw, and, like all good
men, the receiver took a tumble. lie land
ed on his back, but, 10 the surprise OF
thousands, who expected 10 see the sailor
| cool his sides on the boards, the man of
ron jaw and bulldog tenacity was up in
| jltfy and fighting back like an enraged
/ bull.
! Possibly the most surprised man in the
| building was Maher, as be has frequently
stated shat any person whose Jaw point
stops the flight of his good right fist will
/ take a nap
Sharkey possibly is an exception. Fitz-
| simmons said some time after his set-to in
the Pavilion that Sharkey was entitled to
the name of the iron-faced man. Fitz
broke a knuckle of his right hand on the
! sailor Jaw, and according to the cnam-
pion the blow had sufficient force in it 10
knock any ordinary being silly. Doubtless
Maher would have disabled his dukes"
on Sharkey's face and head If the battle
was allowed 10 continue. In fact tnat is
she only hope 1.-The sailor can have of
winning battle from first-class rlnester
where wrestling and hugging are debarred
that is, OF course provided the referee and
police are not on his side of the game.
Sharkey will never make fighter accord
ing TO the rules that now govern the sport
de may be cham pion at rough and tum BILE
or London prize ring, but his vocation is
that of wrestler, at which game he would
unquestionabiy prove a drawing attrac-
ton.
1t was stated recently that one OF the
local clubs contemplated offering large
purse for return match between Tom
and Peter. 1t is to be hoped for the inter-
est OF sport that no such contest will be
held In this City. Sharkey's battles have
all been unsatisfactory, and the inference
is that all his future battles will termin-
ate IN like manner unless they are fought
IN accordance with the rules of the Lon
don prize ring. Sharkey should have
heen Corn one hundred years ago. What
a SHINING mark he would have been on
/ the sod
With the exception of handful of men