The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-25

New York, November 22.-The Shar-
key-Corbett fight, which was witnessed
by the largest and most representa-
tive gathering of sporting men that
ever congregated to see ring contest,
ended in a most disgraceful way to-
night at the Lenox Athletic Club. Cor
bett had all the worst of the encoun-
ter when one of his seconds, Connie"
McVey jumped into the ring, appeal
ing to the referee, thus violating the
rules and the referee, Honest John"
Kelly, had no alternative but to dis
qualify Corbett and award the bout to
Sharkey. McVeys interference was
absolutely inexcusable and the referee
believing that there was a Job in Nc
Vey's action, took it upon himself to
declare all bets off. Before Kelly did
so, however, many of those who had
bet on Corbett, and they were legion,
appealed to the referee to take such
action, while Sharkeyites shouted
against such interference on Kelly's
part and protested that he had no au-
thority to declare the bets Off How
ever, the word went with the majority
money paid in Wagers made will be re-
funded
1t was an unfortunate and abrupt
ending to what promised to be a most
interesting fight. For weeks both Cor
bett and Sharkey had trained faithful
ly and carefully for the contest and
when they stripped tonight each of
them showed in excellent condition.
Sharkey was very confident of sue
cess and the manner in which he ac-
quilted himself in the ring while the
fight lasted showed very plainly that
his confidence was founded on good
grounds.
Those who believed that Sharkey
could not fight fairly, changed their
opinion after the bout had gone one
round. On the other hand, COrbett hit
the sailor in the body rather low and
Sharkey protested. Sharkey's quick
ness and aggreSSiyeneSS were aston
ishing from the very beginning, and
from the first it was evident that he
held COrbett safely.
In the second round there were wild
yells from the admirers of the Irish
man when he tioOred COrbett with a
right swing on the head, preceded with
powerful blow on the body. Shar-
keys rushes We're successful invara-
bly,, and Jim'S quickneSS and leg work
were tested to their utmost in trying
list.
That Sharkey has improved wonder
fully goes without saying, and on the
other hand, that Corbett is not the Cor
bett of New Orleans is beyond ques-
ton. At no time had the Californian
the upper hand of his tougher and
more sturdy rival. Sharkey is a fight
er and a clever one at that, and his
work tonight stamps him beyond all
doubt as being second only to FitZ-
simmons.
Tickets for seats in the immediate
vicinity of the ring brought fabulous
prices tonight. The original cost of
these Dasteboards- was $40 each, but
tonight twice that sum could not pur-
chase one of them and in two in
stances they brought 500 apiece. The
other tickets costing from So to SIS,
brought prices increased two and three
fold and the club management did not
put any of the SO admission tickets on
sale. The anxious sports who clamored
at the entrances gladly paid s. and in
many cases $S for the privilege of
standing up at the extreme ends of the
building.
Kid Mccoy, the pugilist who is to
meet Peter Maher at COney Island
next month, gained admission to the
aarena disguised with false black whis-
kers and mustache.
Some days ago Tom O'ROurke man.
ager of the club, forbade Mccoy the
privilege of entering the club house.
although the kid" had been engaged
by a morning newspaper to write the
story of the big fight. A careful watch
was kept by the men at the doors SO
that he could not get in. but he cleN-
erly Ebaffled the vigilance with his dis
guise. AS soon as he took his seat a
the ringside Mccoy was recognized
and he removed his appendages.
Detective Sergeant Armstrong or
dered Mccoy to leave the building,
but the kid" refused. Then Arm
strong and Detective Mulholland urged
Mccoy to leave and caught him by the
arms at the same time pushing him
through the crowd. Mccoy left very
reluctantly, protesting as he went.
The officers left Mccoy at the entrance
to the building and he walked out on
Lexington avenue. AS he passed each
door on his way out Mccoy demanded
a pass out cfleck and was accommoda-
ted.
Many big wagers were made
amounting to thousands of dollars.
Corbett's hackers forced the price OF
the Californian TO 500 to $40.
Sharkey was accompanied by his
manager, Tom O'Rourke, John T.
Doushtry. Bob Armstrong and Jack
ODay who acted as his seconds. Pro-
fessor Jimmy Deforrest held the watcn
for the Irishman. Corbett's seconds
were Charley White. George Consi-
dine, and Jack Mcvev. John Consi-
dine, Of Detroit. acted as his time
keeper
THE FIGHT BY ROUNDS.
Round 1. The men fiddled for several
seconds and jim made left lead for